The National Wood Flooring Association has begun accepting entries for its 2006 Wood Floor of the Year Contest. The trade organization said the competition, now in its 16th year, was developed to encourage and recognize innovative design and craftsmanship in wood flooring installations. The deadline is February 1, 2006. and winning entries are selected by NWFA members.

This year's contest will feature 10 categories: Best Kitchen/Dining Room, Best Living Room/Family Room, Best Library/Office, Best Bedroom, Best Entry/Foyer, Best Commercial/Showroom, Best Restoration, Best Factory Finished, Best Limited Species, and Best Reclaimed. Entries will be limited to three per entrant, with individual floors eligible for one category only. Brochures including specific criteria for each category will be mailed to NWFA members in August, and will be available from distributor members as well.

NWFA said last year's contest drew 134 entries from seven countries, including Canada, Italy, Malaysia, Norway, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the USA. Awards were presented in seven categories during the NWFA's 2005 Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii.

As in recent years, judging will occur on-line in March, and on-site during the NWFA's 2006 convention in Baltimore, April 26 - 29.