2nd Gen Hardwood warns Colorado buyers to plan around hardwood tariff changes

Denver flooring contractor 2nd Gen Hardwood is urging Colorado homeowners, builders and property managers to lock in flooring decisions ahead of an October 1 federal update on hardwood imports. The move could influence material costs, product availability and lead times across parts of the flooring supply chain.

Why it matters: - A federal hardwood-import update due October 1 could help determine whether additional duties are imposed on imported hardwood timber, lumber or derivative products. - Any new duties could affect flooring supply chains that depend on imported wood products. - Buyers with fall or winter projects could face higher prices, tighter availability or longer lead times.

What happened: - Denver-based 2nd Gen Hardwood is advising homeowners, builders, general contractors and property managers to pay attention to hardwood pricing and supply conditions ahead of the federal review. - The review stems from a 2025 presidential proclamation on timber and lumber imports. - Under that proclamation, the Secretary of Commerce must deliver an update on hardwood timber and lumber, their markets and the domestic industry by October 1, 2026. - The update is meant to inform whether additional duties on imported hardwood products are warranted.

The details: - 2nd Gen Hardwood owner Logan Sharbono said flooring prices have already been affected by material costs, tariffs and availability. - Sharbono said buyers planning projects in the next several months should know what product they want, where it comes from and the current lead time before waiting until the last minute. - Engineered hardwood can include multiple wood components sourced or manufactured in different countries. - Two hardwood flooring products that look similar can have very different supply chains and exposure to import-cost changes. - 2nd Gen Hardwood recommends three steps for upcoming projects: confirm materials and pricing early, understand where the flooring is manufactured, and weigh lead times alongside price. - The company says buyers should review whether a product is domestic or imported and how engineered products are built to assess price and supply risks. - Trade policy changes can affect delivery schedules as well as material costs. - Sharbono said he does not want people making rushed flooring decisions because of tariff concerns and wants buyers to have good information. - Sharbono said homeowners, renovators and commercial bidders should review the flooring package and understand their options.

Between the lines: - The timing matters because the October 1 update could create uncertainty before many end-of-year flooring projects are finalized. - Flooring buyers often focus on price alone, but supply chain origin and product construction can be just as important when trade rules shift. - Imported and domestic products may appear similar on the surface while carrying different risk profiles.

What's next: - 2nd Gen Hardwood is offering consultations to review upcoming flooring projects and discuss how material sourcing, availability and possible tariff changes could affect plans. - The company serves clients throughout the Denver metro area and is positioning early planning as the safest response to policy uncertainty. - To discuss an upcoming project, contact 2nd Gen Hardwood at 720-202-1343 or visit the company’s website.

The bottom line: - Colorado flooring buyers planning projects this fall or winter may want to decide early, confirm sourcing and watch the October 1 federal hardwood update closely.