Installer Certification Class

The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) launches the NALFA Installer Certification School for 2010. The comprehensive training curriculum covers all aspects of a quality laminate installation and will give the attendees the skills necessary to perform installations to high standards and craftsmanship in the field.

"Being certified by the only trade association dedicated solely to the laminate flooring industry is beneficial to both dealers and installers," says E.C. "Bill" Dearing, president of NALFA. "Dealers can feel confident that their installers have the expertise necessary to do quality laminate installations, thereby reducing claims and resulting in satisfied customers. Installers get direct access to laminate manufacturers' technical experts, so they are kept current on latest industry information, and they are given a NALFA Installer card which can translate into a competitive advantage for their services." Each Installer Certification session lasts two days and classes are available at 10 different times and locations throughout the year. Space is limited, so early registration is recommended. Classes will be held on the East and West coasts, and exact locations are being finalized. Classes will be offered on the following dates:

• February 15 & 16, Salem, NJ
• March 1 & 2, Calhoun, GA
• April 12 & 13, Salem, NJ
• April 26 & 27, Calhoun, GA
• 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

Topics covered include: what is laminate, HPL & DPL, types and joints, abrasion class and wear class, job site evaluation, floor preparation, wood sub-floors, concrete sub-floors, moisture meters, acclimation, safety issues and emergency procedures, insurance, using manufacturer instructions, measuring and balancing, installation direction, sub-floor issues, special areas, correcting errors, measurement and estimation, installation techniques, board replacement, floor removal and cleaning.

The NALFA Installer Certification School is designed for individuals with at least two years of experience as a flooring installer. The topics and techniques covered in the course require a level of competence and understanding that requires field experience as an installer.

The cost of registering and attending the NALFA Installer Certification School is $450 per person for NALFA members and $500 per person for non-members. The registration fee includes all the necessary instructional materials, use of on-site tools and materials, meals, a NALFA Installer Certification Certificate and use of the associated logo and marketing materials. In addition there is an annual renewal fee for certified installers of $100. This guarantees that NALFA-Certified installers receive constantly updated information from NALFA members regarding the latest products, tools and techniques in the laminate flooring industry.

To learn more, visit the NALFA booth #123 at Surfaces 2010. NALFA has been setting the standard in the laminate flooring industry for the past 12 years. To register or for more information, please call Teiya Eubanks (423) 316-1566.