Whether the flooring is considered engineered or solid, requires job site finishing or has been prefinished by the manufacturer, the hardwood flooring industry continues to adapt to the consumers' changing needs through the advancement of technology. But progress, of course, can also bring ciaos. In my opinion, the changes that are occurring in the industry are good. Unfortunately, communicating the changes has become more of a "technical" task-perhaps more so then the product improvement itself. Manufacturers include installation specifications in each and every carton of hardwood flooring. Do we take the time to read them? I wonder. What was once considered appropriate just may be seen as passé today. The interpretation of a spec sheet can also vary from reader to reader. Some concoct their own incorrect procedures which may become detrimental to the final outcome of the installation.
The lack of communication is a matter of choice. Our industry has also become quite sophisticated in this area as well. Besides the obvious: postal mail, toll-free "help lines" and the shows seen on TV networks such as HGTV; the internet provides our manufacturers with the capability of staying in close touch with the flooring dealers/contractors and potential end users/consumers. Industry associations are excellent, but there are still people that are unaware of them. In today's fast pace world, fewer and fewer people take the time to write a conventional letter and patiently wait for a response.