Since this is a statistical issue of FCN I thought we’d look at some statistical information relevant to flooring performance and general information.
Carpet first. In case you didn’t know or weren’t aware, polyester is now the hottest carpet fiber on the market. Some of you may cringe when you hear that because of past bad experiences but the new polyester actually is a better product. You just have to make sure you sell a higher quality into wherever it’s going to be used. The new Mohawk Triexta, using DuPont Sorona is actually a polyester and it really is the best fiber on the market today with a combination of the best attributes of nylon and polyester rolled into one. Again, make sure you use the best quality carpet offered for better performance. Polyester is giving nylon a run for its money in the residential market but in commercial nylon is still the leader. The fibers used to make carpet, both residential and commercial are: nylon, polyester, polypropylene and wool. In very expensive carpet you’ll also find some silk and viscose and an occasional different exotic fiber.
Wood second. It amazes me the number of wood floors available and the configurations they’re put into. Most popular now are darker, hand scraped products and time worn appearance with more engineered wood being used. Exotic woods like Brazilian Cherry, Tiger wood and Brazilian Walnuts and Teaks are also extremely popular. Oak is still popular but moreHickory’s and other species are increasing their ranking. Wide width wood boards are definitely the rage with, 4, 5 and 6 inches and wider planks. And reclaimed wood, such barn wood, wine casks and wood from old buildings is being used. Strand Bamboo and even Bamboo mixed withCorkis something newer you’ll see. The varieties of wood are astronomical today; a literal explosion of color and fashion. The addition of aluminum oxide, actually used for the last decade, increases the wearability of the floor but it doesn’t prevent indentations and scratches but it does keep the finish from wearing down. This can only be done in the factory and the only thing harder than Aluminum Oxide is diamonds.
Laminates are still hot today. Laminate can be made to look like hand scraped wood and have the appearance of different species of wood as well. It can also be made to look like stone as well and some is very difficult to distinguish from actual wood flooring or stone.
Ceramic is the third most used flooring material in the world and the oldest, dating back to theRoman Empire. This product is being used more and more with varieties that get better looking. Surfaces can be made smooth or with texture so products can be used in or outside. Porcelain is one of the hardest flooring materials you can use and one of the most beautiful.
Vinyl is still popular and in particular luxury vinyl tile. Luxury vinyl is extraordinarily beautiful and allows for endless design possibilities. In my opinion it is one of the most beautiful floors you can possess. Domestically made luxury vinyl tile also has a legitimate green story to tell. Luxury vinyl tile can be thought of as a commercial product but it can also make a tremendous impact when used in a residential application. Luxury vinyl tile is one of the most popular floorings in use today.
The floor covering industry is starting to pick up overall. Dealers we talk to are reporting increased activity especially in the remodel market. Commercially projects are still not all big with portions of projects being implemented. Things are still spotty with manufacturers we speak to reporting good activity one week and slow business the next. Finishers, the people who put backings on carpet, shear the face and apply topical applications are busier since late last year with activity increasing slowly monthly. Don’t look for business to be like it was before, that was an inflated and false economy whose demise was inevitable. Slow and steady as she goes is what we need now.
Author: Lewis G. Migliore
LGM and Associates – The Floorcovering Experts