By Jon Namba
The National Wood Flooring Association’s (NWFA) 2024 expo—held in New Orleans April 16-18—was a hit! “Raise the Bar” was the theme for this year’s event and those that attended certainly did so with education, networking and learning about new products. I even got some time to network with hometown friends Matt and Tony from Ottley Floor Co. in Salt Lake City (Photo 1).
Educational seminars were held one day prior to the show and in the mornings before the show floor opened, offering numerous opportunities for attendees to increase their knowledge (Photo 2). On the show floor, manufacturer-sponsored seminars and the NWFA regional instructors demonstrated several installation techniques with patterns and stains (Photo 3).
What’s happening on the wood side of the industry? Stains! This year several new stain technologies were introduced at the show. Loba showcased its alcohol alternative-based stains, stating, “With an incredible one-hour dry time, Loba Stain is easy to apply using either the rag on, rag off technique or by buffing. Available in over 20 vibrant colors.”
Pallman has added three colors to its Pall-X 2-Kolorit, a fast-drying, low odor/voc stain and sealer. The two component, Pall-X 2-Kolorit can be applied with multiple application methods, features a predictable coating time, and multiple color options for unlimited design opportunities.
Bona introduced its Chroma waterborne wood floor coloration system. The company said, “Bona Chroma Waterborne Wood Floor Coloration is an eco-friendly wood floor coloring method that results in a vibrant, intense wood color–with an application and drying procedure that is safer, quicker and healthier. Bona Chroma is water-based which minimizes odors, eliminates the need for water popping and makes it non-flammable. This customizable color blending system offers nine options for endless color possibilities.”
Along with stains, Vesting was promoting its LED technology: “Vesting LED-HardWax Oil is a high-quality finishing oil that cures instantly with a special LED Curing Light. It is a zero VOC, environmentally friendly mixture of oils, waxes, resins and additives that cures to a stunning finish. The LED-HardWax Oil soaks into the pores of the wood, giving it a durable finish that is deeper and richer in color. It’s easy to use and can be touched up locally. Plus, it has a very large coverage area.”
Discussing the importance of monitoring site conditions, Scott Banda, co-founder and CEO of Floorcloud, spoke with Chris Zizza during one of the NWFA podcasts during the show (Photo 4). “Floorcloud is a trusted technology platform that enables general and specialty contractors to remotely monitor ambient interior floor space conditions in real-time and communicate material-specific alerts, while storing data securely in the cloud. Instantly view and archive detailed jobsite conditions across all of your projects before, during and after installation. Receive alerts and notifications for out-of-specification conditions. Capture and archive photos, notes and other important information for analysis.”
Coverings held its show in Atlanta, April 22-25. If you’re in the tile/stone industry, and you’ve never had the opportunity to attend this show, you should make a point to see it in person. Large exhibitor displays make you feel like you’re walking into an art gallery (Photo 5). From boutique-type tile like Dazed and Glazed by Brett Stern, and mosaic wall art (Photos 6-7), to thin gauged porcelain slabs, it was all there at the show.
Along with the tile/stone displays, tool and setting material manufacturers also showcased their products. Brad Martin with Beno J. Gundlach was introducing the Dust Halo dust containment ring that fits easily on buckets from five to 17 gallons, to mitigate silica dust while keeping the jobsite clean (Photo 8).
Johns Manville highlighted its GoBoard shower pan system (Photo 9): “The Johns Manville GoBoard Shower Pan Kit is a durable, waterproof, versatile kit that offers easy, on-site shower pan customization allowing for same day tile and is ideal for both the pro and DIYer. It is great for new shower buildouts or tub-to-shower conversions, and accommodates center and offset drain locations and curbed or curbless applications.”
As a Baby Boomer I’m not as into social media as some of the younger generation so when I stopped by the QEP/Roberts booth and was speaking with Leslie Del Pozo, vice president of marketing communications, she said I had to meet a couple of up and coming social media tile celebrities. I had to get a photo with Leslie from QEP, along with Andrew Eylander and Kurt Angen of Calidad Tools (Photo 10). They showed me a simple yet functional tool called the tile trim square. Cutting metal trim for tile/stone installations is usually done with a miter box or wet saw. Trying to hold the metal in place while cutting, and hoping its an accurate fit, can be nerve-wracking. Well, not with this tool.
“A game-changer in the world of tiling: the Calidad Tools & Tilebro Patented Square. This revolutionary tool is engineered to transform your tiling projects, offering a unique combination of speed, precision and versatility. With its ability to firmly grip and accurately cut tile trims and jollies, it eliminates the common frustrations of uneven cuts and wasted materials. The inclusion of a practical valley for pencil trim placement guarantees consistent, perfect results for every cut. Made from durable ABS plastic, this tool is built to withstand the rigors of daily use, ensuring long-lasting reliability.”
That’s a taste of some of the innovative tools and technologies I had a chance to see at the NWFA Expo and Coverings shows this year. I recommend you make it a habit to go to these and other industry events when they’re in your area. You never know what you might learn, and what cool new tricks and techniques you can bring back to your own business.
