The coronavirus pandemic may have slowed or disrupted businesses from coast to coast in 2020—but not the flooring industry. Quite the opposite, in fact, as flooring suppliers have ratcheted up their R&D efforts to produce a bevy of new offerings for retailers.
More than two dozen companies are showcasing their wares in FCNews’ 2020 Annual Product Guide. Some are household names; others might not be on your radar. What all 25 companies share, however, is a passion for innovation and differentiation.
To no one’s surprise, the product guide features its fair share of waterproof rigid core products, but laminate and especially wood are also well represented. A case in point is Triângulo, which showcases its engineered hardwood product, Brazilian Chestnut Kayukuku, a tropical classic offered in a thick, wide-width format, as well as Brazilian Pecan, a species notable for its blonde and brown striations.
Egger Flooring International, a Germany-based manufacturer with U.S. operations in North Carolina, highlights a product called Design Flooring GreenTac; this rigid core product offers micro-scratch and stain resistance with antibacterial properties, plus a waterproof surface that provides protection against spills.
Republic, a new vendor to the National Floorcovering Alliance fold, features The Lion Meadows collection with extra-long planks (1,540mm) that aim to make a dramatic statement in open spaces. In addition, there is Republic’s new proprietary Pure Grout range of SPC vinyl flooring designed to recreate realistic ceramic tile floor designs.
On the subject of innovation, Woodura from Välinge Flooring is the company’s new hardwood flooring that comes in three species—walnut, oak and ash—and 11 unique designs; wide-widths, long lengths are available.
Not to be outdone, hardwood stalwarts Mirage and Mercier seek to impress with their respective launches. For Mirage, DreamVille features highly textured floors with matte finishes and rich, natural character woods. The products are available with DuraMatt X, a highly resistant, low-gloss finish that enhances the wood’s natural appearance by bringing out the grain and character marks. Mercier’s Hard Maple Naked includes a unique finishing process that seals the original color of raw wood.
Of course, this being 2020, most of the new introductions are in the LVT category, specifically SPC/rigid core. To that end, Quickstyle Industries shows off products that come with the company’s True Grout patented technology, which is designed to boost the longevity and aesthetic appeal of vinyl floors.
Ceramic and stone looks are also well represented in this guide. FloorFolio showcases Grotto, which emulates a natural stone visual with striking color variations and authentic veining in an 18 x 36 format.
While hard surface intros dominate much of these pages, there are several entries in carpet, notably Shaw Floors and Engineered Floors. DW Select from Engineered Floors brings a new collection of styled patterns, textures and colors to the Dream Weaver product family. Its new styles were inspired by the natural landscape.
Shaw Floors puts the spotlight on Bellera, its high-performance carpet featuring R2X stain and soil treatment and Shaw’s LifeGuard spill-proof backing. With Gallery & Caress, Shaw Floors is pairing its premium hard and soft surface collections. Meanwhile, Southwind highlights a pair of LCL carpet patterns that utilize the company’s exclusive So Soft PET yarn.
FCNews’ Annual Product Guide 2020 promotes the latest and greatest offerings from industry players representing all categories. This special issue is intended to provide information flooring dealers can use when customers walk into your store seeking a particular product.
Regardless of the personal tastes or preferences of consumers in your local market, chances are you’ll find a few suppliers offering a range of both soft and hard surface products in the guide to meet their needs, along with companies that provide helpful installation and preparation products.
Each manufacturer that participated in the Product Guide had the opportunity to submit a photo and description of four recently introduced products or top sellers. The idea is that they not only stay on your radar when offering options to the consumer, but that they also earn placement on your showroom floor.
Consider the Annual Product Guide your one-stop shop for the best products in the marketplace and an easy-to-use reference when making recommendations to your customers.
