The Growing Popularity of Wood Flooring and Other Woodworking Products
The popularity of wood flooring has grown steadily in the past few years. People redecorating or remodeling their homes are a key group of users. In addition to consumers and professionals, large national homebuilders use it as well. D.R. Horton, one of the largest home builders in the U.S., and Toll Brothers are among the most famous luxury home builders. However, the popularity of wood flooring is not limited to this demographic.
The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program encourages renewable products and awards points to building products that meet environmental standards. Wood flooring falls into this category, which means that it is renewable and sustainable. But to be considered sustainable, it must be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. This nonprofit certification process requires companies to ensure that their wood is harvested from managed forests. This certification process considers the economy and indigenous rights of the forest.
Another major market that supports wood flooring is the residential remodeling industry. This industry is driven by the increase in home value. As a result, homeowners can afford to undertake more remodeling projects and increase their credit worthiness. According to the Federal Reserve, the median home value increased 32 percent from 2000 to 2005. This boom in the residential market fueled the need for more consumers to renovate their homes. With the increased demand for remodeling, many companies have been expanding their offerings in this field.