NALFA Installer Certification Classes Filling Fast

The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) kicked-off its 2010 Installer Certification School this past February and remaining classes are filling fast.

“We are thrilled at the response we’ve received from dealers and installers,” says Bill Dearing, President of NALFA. “It’s an exceptional opportunity for participants to garner improved knowledge and skills along with a real competitive advantage in the marketplace.”

The comprehensive training curriculum covers all aspects of a quality laminate installation and is designed for individuals with at least two years of experience as a laminate flooring installer. Each session lasts two days and participants receive a NALFA certification certificate, ID card, and use of the associated logo and marketing materials upon successful completion of the program. They are also added to the certified retailer database available to dealers and consumers on the NALFA website.

April classes scheduled for Salem, NJ and Calhoun, GA are completely sold-out, but remaining 2010 dates and locations are still available. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended.

Remaining 2010 Installation Certification Classes:

April 12 & 13: Salem, NJ – SOLD OUT

April 26 & 27: Calhoun, GA – SOLD OUT

May 17 & 18: City of Industry, CA

May 19 & 20: City of Industry, CA

June 14 & 15: Salem, NJ

June 28 & 29: Calhoun, GA

August 16 & 17: Salem, NJ

August 30 & 31: Calhoun, GA

October 11 & 12: Salem, NJ

October 25 & 26: Calhoun, GA

December 13 & 14: Salem, NJ

The cost of the program is $450 for NALFA members ($500 for non-members) and includes all instructional materials, on-site tools, meals, membership certificate, ID card, and rights to the NALFA logo and marketing materials. Certified installers may renew their membership yearly for a cost of $100.

To register for a class or for more information, please call Teiya Eubanks at (423) 316-1566.

NALFA has been setting the standard in the laminate flooring industry for the past 13 years. For more information, please visit www.nalfa.com.

Going Green? Go With the NALFA Certification Seal

Certification ensures sustainability and quality in laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is inherently eco-friendly. It’s made with natural resources, it’s recyclable, and it’s free of air-damaging chemicals. But the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) knows that not all products make the cut and remains committed to helping consumers choose the right products for their homes and businesses. The NALFA certification seal is proof that a laminate floor is both sustainable and the highest quality.

“Customers are faced with a multitude of choices when it comes to laminate flooring and sustainability is more important than ever,” says Bill Dearing, president of NALFA. “It is our job is recognize only quality products that meet environmental, durability, and performance standards. When a product passes our testing, we know it’s built to last.”

Laminate floors that have earned the NALFA certification seal offer consumers a variety of benefits:

• It has passed a series of 10 rigorous performance tests including but not limited to static load, thickness swell, impact resistance, light resistance, wear resistance, cleanability/stain resistance, dimensional tolerances and castor chair resistance
• It complies with formaldehyde emissions regulations for laminate flooring core board set forth by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) sections 93120-93120.12, title 17, of the California Code of Regulations.
• It is comprised of at least 74% recycled content (pre-consumer waste)
• It may be used in homes and businesses that meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards
• It requires no special glues or adhesives during installation (eliminating VOCs) and no special cleaners for proper cleaning and maintenance (improving air quality)

NALFA is the only trade organization dedicated to the laminate flooring industry. Formed in 1997 by manufacturers and importers, NALFA is today an accredited ANSI standards developing organization and is the benchmark for quality in the laminate flooring industry. The organization is continuing work on developing new sustainability standards for laminate flooring manufacturers and hopes to have approved processes and regulations in place by 2011.

“The new sustainability standard will help to assess the ‘green factor’ of laminate flooring and related products, such as underlayment,” Dearing says. “This will create a complete and complimentary picture of the performance of environmentally-friendly laminate flooring.”

For more information about how NALFA has been setting the standard in the laminate flooring industry for the past 13 years, visit www.nalfa.com.

NALFA Installation Video Coming March 24th!

Thanks for visiting our site to watch the new NALFA laminate flooring installation video. Whether you’re a professional installer or a do-it-yourself weekend warrior, we know you will find it useful. The footage is shot and we’re busy in the editing suite working on the final cut.

We'll have it up and ready to watch on March 24th so please visit again!