In school an A+ signifies exceptional performance in the classroom or a subject, normally achieved by a minimum of students. In flooring, retailers hand out accolades for their top products. In this case, the upper-echelon offerings must clear a high hurdle—quality construction, style and design, looks and inventory availability, to name a few. Ultimately, the product must resonate with the customer to truly garner A+ status.
Floor Covering News’ annual feature—Retailers Reveal A+ Products from 2023—includes a dozen outstanding performers in flooring.
From waterproof rigid core floors to acoustical underlayment to pinless moisture meters, the winning products from 2023 ran the gamut from hard surface to subfloor preparation, giving retailers a variety of offerings to provide their customers.
The following A+ products represent a sampling of standout collections or expanded product line offerings that scored high points for specialty flooring retailers in 2023:
Hardwoods Barrel by Cali
About the product: Blending the current with the classic, Cali’s Barrel collection delivers timeless colors presented with clean, coastal style at a highly competitive price point. Engineered planks feature a 2mm-thick beauty layer of European white oak stabilized by a sustainable wood core.
“Barrel is an outstanding collection that lends itself to the retail replacement and builder market. We have found that the price point, construction and colors fit a wide range of style and consumer preference.”
—Arthur Paylor
Mill Creek Carpet & Tile Company
Tulsa, Okla.
Grande by COREtec
About the product: COREtec the Original has gone to great lengths with COREtec Grande—82 inches, in fact, to create a floor that will set the stage for any space in grand fashion. Crafted to be bold in beauty and design, this unique floor comes with all the benefits expected from the Original.
“We stock two colors of COREtec Grande and were wildly successful with both all year. When you put a 15mm-thick product next to an SPC sample, the customer sees the value immediately. It is generally 2.25 times thicker, and the visuals are outstanding.”
—Lupe Brookhart
Sterling Carpet & Flooring
Anaheim, Calif.
Hitari by Dreamweaver
About the product: Hitari features a basketweave pattern offset by neutral tones—ideal for the home. twistX carpet technology uses a twist multiplier to deliver durability and natural striations in the form of a synthetic fiber. The proprietary manufacturing process provides a plusher, more comfortable underfoot with exceptional durability.
“The patterns and color palette of each style of Dreamweaver DW Select create a go-to collection customers are looking for in high-performance carpet.”
—Jon Dauenhauer
Carpet World
Bismarck, N.D.
Monte Carlo III by Dreamweaver
About the product: Monte Carlo III introduces an elevated yet casual aesthetic for all designer needs. Featuring 12 earthy neutrals with subtle variations, this plush, 80-ounce carpet offers comfort and a soft velvety feel underfoot. The solution-dyed yarns ensure extreme durability.
“Dreamweaver’s Monte Carlo I/II/III carpet earned an A+ rating from FCA Network due to its hand/price value relationship, along with its visually appealing colors that resonate across various markets and market segments.”
—Liz Rivera
FCA Network
Shorewood, Ill.
Pinnacle by Happy Feet
About the product: Pinnacle is a 7 x 60 luxury vinyl plank constructed of Stabilicor (extruded composite core) featuring a 28-mil wear layer and 11.5mm thickness (9.5mm + 2mm EVA cushion). Pinnacle comes with an aluminum oxide + EIR finish.
“The style, color, richness and durability of Pinnacle are what make the difference for us. We’re very pleased with it.”
—Trent Pingel
Pingel’s Home Store
Pella, Iowa
Canyon Select by IFC
About the product: Canyon is designed to elevate any space, no matter the current trend. These designs offer the luxury of high-end aesthetics without the premium price tag. IFC’s high-performance construction ensures long-lasting value that’s built to endure.
“I have found that the quality is very consistent for being their entry-level product. The colors are good, and they keep good inventory levels. It has been a great product for us.”
—Josh Elder
Gainesville CarpetsPlus ColorTile
Gainesville, Fla.
Whisper Step by Leggett & Platt
About the product: Whisper Step acoustical underlayment is designed to be the product by which all others are measured, with an IIC rating of 73. The dense, synthetic rubber composition of Whisper Step makes it ideal for absorbing noise whether it be airborne or impact noise.
“The benefit to this underlayment is the ease for my installers to roll out without making a mess—it’s a roll and go. It’s for everything you need in a product. The dependability of this product is on point.”
—Ashlie Butler
Bob’s Carpet & Flooring
Tampa, Fla.
Ligno-Scanner SDM
by Lignomat
About the product: The Ligno-Scanner SDM is a dual-depth pinless moisture meter known for its accuracy, reliability and ease of use. The display shows value for moisture content, settings for wood species and measuring depth. It’s the ideal meter to measure hardwood floors and other floor coverings.
“The Ligno-Scanner SMD is our go-to moisture meter. We use it in all our delivery trucks allowing moisture checks without putting holes in the homeowner’s floor. The dual depths allow non-invasive verification of both existing flooring and sub-floor moisture levels.”
—James Sullivan
Emerson Hardwood Group
Woodinville, Wash.
MaxCore by Provenza
About the product: The MaxCore New Wave collection features exclusive hand-selected patterns that deliver fewer repeats, an EIR surface texture that matches each unique wood pattern and an enhanced four-sided pressed bevel edge. The result: a more natural, ultra-realistic luxury hardwood visual.
“Provenza MaxCore New Wave collection luxury vinyl is my A+ product. Rarely do they not have stock; our customers gravitate to their displays and our installers also love to work with Provenza.”
—Matt Wien
Marshall Flooring
Mayfield Heights, Ohio
PureTech by Mohawk
About the product: Made in the USA, PureTech is a PVC-free product made from recycled and renewable materials developed to help retailers reach eco-conscious consumers. PureTech is made from 70% total recycled content. Its organic core contains 80% renewable, plant-based material.
“PureTech not only has a great scratch warranty, it also has a great green story. The reduction of chemicals in our floors and homes is becoming more of a hot topic and desire by our consumers. The fact that it donates back to Plastic Bank seals the deal.”
—Typhannie Harker
Carpeting by Mike
Somerset, Wis.
Pet Perfect by Shaw Floors
About the product: Mineral Core is the newest worry-free flooring addition to the extensive Pet Perfect collection. Featuring wide planks and natural wood aesthetic, Mineral Core delivers superior durability and combines style and resilience for a flooring solution that stands the test of time.
“[Mineral Core] offers plenty of benefits for consumers with or without pets. Cleanability, stain resistance, very nice styles and colors; then add LifeGuard waterproof backing and you have a winning product.”
—Steve Weisberg
Crest Flooring
Allentown, Pa.
Minka by Antrim (Stanton)
About the product: Minka is designed to strike the perfect balance, providing a plush feel without overwhelming the room’s overall aesthetic, making it an ideal choice for both daily use and long-term enjoyment.
“Minka stands out as my favorite wool style due to its exceptional blend of comfort and durability. Its sumptuous, pulled-down berber texture not only adds a touch of luxury to any space but is constructed of a natural, undyed fiber that aligns with eco-conscious clients.”
—Leigh Bakhtiari
City Carpets
San Rafael, Calif.
Prime XL12 by TRUCOR
About the product: Prime XL12 is the epitome of refinement within the brand’s esteemed “Oversized Prime” luxury vinyl plank collection. Available in 12 x 72 plank sizes, TRUCOR’s Prime XL12 comes with plenty of bells and whistles: 20-mil wear layer, 12mm total thickness, 1.5mm IXPE attached cushion, Välinge 2G locking system and registered embossing. XL12 comes with a site-finished look that can transform large spaces.
“TRUCOR luxury vinyl planks and tiles has been an outstanding addition for us. Prime XL is one of our favorites. The quality of the product, price points of different options in style/features, inventory availability and the local sales rep have all been A+.”
—Carlton Billingsley
Floors and More
Benton, Ark.
