Editor's Message: Looking Forward, Framing Together

Looking Forward, Framing Together

An Industry in Motion

Another year has arrived, and with it comes fresh opportunities for Framing Today to continue serving our industry with the insights, stories, and practical knowledge that matter most to framers and the framing community. As we begin 2026, I am excited about what this magazine will bring and the ways it will continue to support your work in the months ahead.

In 2026, we look forward to building on that foundation with purpose and momentum. This year, you can expect Framing Today to continue expanding its focus on content that supports both your everyday work and your longterm planning. We will keep bringing you articles that address the questions you face on jobsites and in offices, columns that offer trusted perspective from industry leaders, and stories that highlight the people and innovations shaping the future of framing. We will also continue placing a strong emphasis on practical guidance and lessons learned straight from the field, content grounded in real experience, honest reflection, and solutions that can be applied right away.

The February issue sets the tone for the year with a collection of articles that reflect both relevance and depth. One of our featured pieces takes a closer look at hard hats versus construction helmets; a topic that seems straightforward at first but becomes more nuanced once you consider evolving safety standards, jobsite expectations, and the day-today realities crews face in the field. Safety remains a constant priority in framing, and this article offers context and perspective that can help inform conversations and decisions on jobsites across the country.

This issue also continues our Framing Better Through Lessons Learned article series with its second installment. In this piece, experienced framers share hard-earned insights from their own work — moments of trial and error that turned into improvement. These stories remind us that no matter how long we have been in the field, there is always room to refine our craft. They also reinforce the value of shared experience; when one framer passes on a lesson, the entire community benefits. We also bring you the latest installment of Tatge’s Tips of the Trade, a column that has quickly become a favorite among readers. In this issue, Chris once again draws on his own day-to-day framing experience to offer practical, straightforward guidance designed to help framers in their everyday work.

Together, these articles reflect what Framing Today is all about: real people, real work, and real solutions. They are written with the field in mind and shaped by the voices of those who live this craft every day.

I would also like to take a moment to recognize how much this magazine continues to be shaped by you, our readers. The stories you share, the questions you ask, and the feedback you provide help guide what we explore and how we approach it. This is not just a magazine about framing. It is a magazine built with framers in mind, informed by the experience of those in the field and those who support it.

Thank you for reading, for being part of this community, and for your continued support of Framing Today. As you dive into this issue, I invite you to engage with the content, share it with your colleagues, and let us know what you think. Together, we can keep building not just better walls and roofs, but a stronger, smarter, and more connected industry.

Christine Wagner, Managing Editor