We can’t believe we are celebrating the 10th year of the Installation Awards, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome. This year brought in double the number of entries for an expanded number of categories. In this month’s issue, Floor Trends and Installation Managing Editor Beth Miller shares those dynamic stories of skill, sweat—and in many cases, a lot of patience—via features, images and video. You’ll see projects ranging in scale from a large installation at Epcot at Walt Disney World that used 3D models to create intricate patterns on the floor to an intricate residential mosaic shower installation.
The talent of these installers underscores the need for more industry recruitment and better compensation. The hard work of installation takes a lot of skill, and installers should be paid for that skill. We have grown as industry, allowing for trade-ups of product thanks to better performance, durability, and aesthetics, but as flooring advances and rises in price due to natural market shifts, the financial benefit has not trickled down to the flooring installer. It’s going to take the entire industry to shift that tide—from independent retailers, big boxes and contractors.