These are just some of the findings revealed in one of the wood flooring industry's most comprehensive studies. Every other year, the NWFA partners with Catalina Research to conduct this research. The most recent report was completed in the final quarter of 2003. It revealed a number of interesting trends.
According to the study, consumer preferences are shifting to prefinished and engineered wood products. These wood flooring products are easier and less costly to install than unfinished solid-wood alternatives. They also allow wood flooring to be marketed and sold similarly to other hard-surface flooring products. This has stimulated the distribution of wood flooring through specialty floor covering retailers and home centers.