NEWS

According to high-end interior designer Leah Bolger, "Neutrals are being paired with natural materials like wood and marble in a way that feels much richer than the ‘all-white everything’ era." Wood cabinetry is "having a real moment again, especially when it's done in softer, warmer stains. It brings so much warmth and texture into a space, and when you pair it with beautiful natural stones, the whole look feels elevated but still very calm and livable." 

Amid the current housing affordability crisis, remodeling continues to increase its share of the residential construction market. Bathroom, kitchen, and whole-house remodeling are the three most common projects reported by NAHB remodelers. 

Read More: Top 5 Remodeling Projects in 2025 →

Vietnam's exports of wood and wood products totaled nearly $1.7 billion in December 2025 alone, reaching a record $17.2 billion for the year, an increase of nearly 6%. Vietnam exported nearly $9.5 billion in wood and wood products to the U.S. in 2025, accounting for nearly 55% of the industry's total exports, an increase of 4.4% vs. 2024.

New legislation will go into effect as early as March or April that allows only oak lumber with "at least 2.5 cm of the outer sapwood removed" into the EU. The new requirement appears to be in response to the increased risk of two-lined chestnut borer infestation in U.S. shipments of oak. According to the American Hardwood Export Council, veneer is exempt.

Nearly 200 organizations in our industry, including the Hardwood Federation, signed a letter to the EPA to advocate for modernizing the treatment of woody biomass under the national Renewable Fuel Standard so that liquid fuels derived from forest biomass could qualify under the mandate. This would provide an additional market for residuals.