April 16/23, 2018: Volume 33, Issue 22
Tampa, Fla.—The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) announced the winners of its 2018 Wood Floor of the Year contest during its annual conference and expo here earlier this month. The awards recognize innovative craftsmanship and design in wood flooring installations.
All entries featured installations completed between January 2017 and January 2018 and were evaluated by a panel of industry members and press editors. NWFA membership voted for the Members’ Choice winner.
And the winners are…
Members’ Choice & Best Parquetry/Inlay Application
Contractor: ArtParquet, Khimki, Russia
Project notes: This 10,705-square-foot, nail-down/glue-down installation entailed 16 different species to naturally incorporate the color and overall style of the room into the flooring. The parquet layers were designed according to schemes provided by the project engineers.
After the design was approved, engineers prepared AutoCAD drawings that were sent to the factory where CNC machines cut patterns. The components were then assembled manually, and the panels were packed and delivered. It took five months to design and produce the flooring, followed by another two months to install the floors. No stains were used to achieve the look.
Best Circular/Curved Application
Contractor: Acorn Hardwood Flooring, Sylmar, Calif.
Project notes: This 8,900-square-foot, nail-down/glue-down installation featuring light rustic hickory/pecan was installed in a plank, herringbone and parquet pattern. All gallery parquet patterns were hand cut, routed, fitted with a tongue and groove, and then center matched. All pieces were cut, prefinished and assembled in the factory, then reassembled on the job site.
Best Color & Finish Application
Contractor: Treadline Construction, Tualatin, Ore.
Project notes: The design is a 400-square-foot, glue-down installation featuring 21⁄4 x 3⁄4-inch-thick red oak, white oak and maple. After the floor was sanded, aluminum custom circular-shaped inlays were routed into the floor and installed. The floor was resanded, then each section was masked before a custom application of colored water conditioners, reactive chemicals and custom blends of oil- and water-based stains and penetrating oils were applied. Select sections received a final application of acid-cured finish.
Best Restoration/Makeover
Contractor: Endurance Floor Co., West Park, Fla.
Project notes: The three-dimensional look was achieved using a mix of species, including Gaboon ebony, English sycamore, massaranduba, sapele and Brazilian ebony for the field; Macassar ebony, padauk, birds-eye maple, bocote and pink ivory were utilized for the border.
Best of Social Media
Contractor: BC Hardwood Floor Co., Vancouver, BC, Canada
Project notes: This 5,500-square-foot/nail-down installation of first-grade northern Canadian and hard maple wood flooring was utilized to replace the original floors laid down circa 1927. Following subfloor remediation, installers added a layer of plywood and installed the new floor as per the original specifications.
Best Textured Wood Application
Contractor: WD Flooring, Laona, Wis.
Project notes: This 2,050-square-foot, nail-down/glue-down installation of white oak was installed in a new construction spec home. The floor was finished with a multi-step process and then UV cured.