Now is the time to prepare your entries for the 2026 CFJ Awards

HE Contract Flooring Journal (CFJ) Awards have officially opened for 2026, marking the start of another year celebrating the very best in flooring installation, design, and innovation.

Installers, manufacturers, and distributors are now invited to put forward their standout projects across a wide range of categories, covering every major sector from hospitality and healthcare to education, sport, and residential design.

Categories include Flooring in Bars, Cafes & Restaurants; Flooring in Healthcare – Hospitals & Medical Facilities; Flooring in Education – Schools and Colleges; Residential Developments; Industrial Flooring; and many more. Charitable Initiatives will also be recognised, alongside the return of individual honours such as Lifetime Achievement, Manufacturer of the Year, Distributor of the Year, and the CFA-run Apprentice of the Year.

The 2025 awards highlighted the depth of talent within the industry. Westcotes Flooring took Installation of the Year for its work at Bechstein Hall, London, supported by partners including Sasgo, Ted Todd, Cellecta, Protec International, Mapei UK, and Forbo Flooring Systems. Flooring Matters secured second place with its Cliff Orchard residential refurbishment in Torquay, while Westcotes also took third for its Cambridge office refurbishment at Shakespeare House.

In the sustainability category, Altro and MacGregor Flooring were recognised for their work at Parkhead Health and Social Care Hub in Glasgow. Geoffrey Ball of F Ball and Co received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-standing contribution to the industry, while Helen Tidmarsh, operations director of the CFA, was honoured for Outstanding Contribution of the Year after nearly 35 years of service.

Other winners included TradeChoice Carpet & Flooring, voted Distributor of the Year, and F Ball and Co, named Manufacturer of the Year. Entertainment was provided by comedian and former carpet fitter Jack Skipper, who brought his insider humour to the stage.

Judging remains entirely independent, led by head judge Richard Renouf alongside Graeme Dewar, Tony Mathe, and Kelly Gayle, who joined the panel following the retirement of long-serving judge Fiona Bowman. Contractor Shane Moore this year joins the panel, and Cathie Clarke, CEO of the UKFSA, will judge the Sustainable Initiative Award.

Now in its next chapter, the CFJ Awards continue to serve as the UK’s leading platform for recognising excellence across the contract flooring industry. Entries are now open, with full details available through Contract Flooring Journal.

Note: categories may be subject to change.