Many flooring retailers experienced a surplus of inventory in 2022 due to supply chain improvements. But in the end, it was the quality of the products in their assortment—not the quantity—that stood out.
The following A+ products represent a sampling of new collections or expanded product line offerings that scored high for specialty flooring retailers and distributors in 2022.
Lasting Traditions by Robbins
About the product: Robbins Lasting Traditions is both timeless and traditional. With Lasting Traditions, homeowners can choose a flooring that complements any existing design, traditional or trendy, all with one collection. Experience the warm, inviting charm of authentic hardwood floors with this white oak collection, in 7 1/2-inch-wide planks that vary in length from 15.7 inches to 75.6 inches. The medium gloss urethane finish creates an elegant feel to the wood, while the classic and traditional color palette celebrates the natural hues found within the timbers.
“Lasting Traditions has a great color palette with natural tones that plays well in our market. New England is split between very traditional/colonial and coastal interior design styles, and this line has something for everyone.” —Sam Locher, A.J. Rose Carpets & Flooring, Burlington, Mass.
Vinyl Legends by Cali
About the product: This premium LVP offers extra-broad dimensions with a natural beauty and plank thickness reminiscent of hardwood. Waterproof planks sport a sturdy WPC core and are backed by an acoustic cushion for quieter, more comfortable rooms. Legends is made to be displayed alongside Longboards for a coastal-themed Cali Vinyl showroom experience.
“Cali Legends is a great product for our marketplace. We sell a lot of WPC in our store in Naples and the colors suit this market perfectly. The wide, long planks make for beautiful visuals.” —Chris Cosentino, Hadinger Flooring, Naples, Fla.
Soft Step by COREtec
About the product: The biggest benefit of Soft Step—COREtec’s newest attached underlayment—is its performance in three qualities: quiet, warmth and sustainability. The underlayment itself is made from 100% plastic bottles and is attached to a WPC core, giving flooring retailers a sustainable story to tell.
“COREtec Soft Step is going to be a great product. With the way it is manufactured it will reduce noise and make any home quiet, warm and appealing. It will be welcoming for people with home offices, pets and small children with noisy toys.” —Doug Bertrand, Carpetland USA, Davenport, Iowa
New Standard Plus by Engineered Floors
About the product: New Standard Plus is the latest hard surface offering from Engineered Floors. Building on the vast success and popularity of New Standard II, New Standard Plus boasts 12 new colors offering clean grain visuals, a painted bevel and a 12-mil wear layer.
“EF with their New Standard Plus SPC is an A+ product. It is fantastic that the R&D into new products and the technology used in the manufacturing process continues to amaze even us who have been in the business for many years.” —Kevin Rose, Carpetland USA, Rockford, Ill.
Alta Vista by Hallmark Floors
About the product: Alta Vista hardwood is a return to vintage European design. The floors, crafted out of European oak, feature Hallmark Floors’ authentic sawn-cut style, are lightly sculpted and wire brushed by hand. The surface is treated with the company’s exclusive Nu Oil finish for a classic style and elegance.
“The look, the color and the quality really stand out. The character grade gives it a nice look and the color range—all lighter colors, a more natural look—really appeal to our customers. It has a nice, thick 4-mil wear layer.” —Joe Revord, G3 Flooring Design Center, Colorado Springs, Colo.
BelleLuxe by Karastan
About the product: On the path to become a complete luxury flooring brand, Karastan is enhancing the BelleLuxe collection to make it better than nature intended for a new generation of consumers. With 16 SKUs, BelleLuxe Waterproof Wood provides high fashion at an accessible price point to help retail partners expand their market reach.
“It features wider, longer planks that are the most realistic to wood that I have seen. The Signature Technology separates Karastan from any competitor in the business. Mohawk has done a tremendous job innovating with this realism technology. This is a game changer in the waterproof laminate sector.” —Bruce Odette, Carpet Exchange, Denver
Restoration by Mannington
About the product: Mannington’s award-winning Restoration laminate collection resists everything and impresses everyone. Restoration features SpillShieldPlus waterproof technology, offering best-in-class style and design. Mannington’s in-house styling team ensures that each design offers the most realistic wood looks on the market. What’s more, the entire Restoration collection is made in the U.S.
“For me the A+ product would be Mannington’s Restoration collection—a laminate flooring with realistic visuals and performance for the busy household.” —Kevin Murray, Murray Floor & Window Coverings, Bozeman, Mont.
Generations Intact 2500 by Mercier
About the product: Mercier Generations and Generations Intact 2500 finishes are the result of over 40 years of know-how and skills in mastering the science of prefinished wood flooring. Mercier has improved the clarity of the finish (matte) to make it more water, scratch and dent resistant.
“Beautiful product, made in Canada, installs beautifully. We’ve been putting it in busy homes and commercial projects like restaurants with far less wear and tear because of the matte finish. It absolutely performs; it’s as resilient as a wood product can be.” —Rowenna Losin, Exclusive Floors, Vancouver, BC, Canada
RevWood Premier by Mohawk
About the product: Mohawk resets the standard for texture and realism of wood décor with RevWood Premier featuring Signature Technology. By incorporating 64 layers of design data and 1,000 colors in every square inch into each plank, Signature Technology aims to achieve a wood floor that is indistinguishable from natural hardwood.
“This product blew our socks off the last six months; it was the first product debuted with the Signature Technology. We received the display and started taking orders almost immediately. We have two colors on our floor for customers to see in a bigger space.” —Typhannie Harker, Carpeting by Mike, Somerset, Wis.
White Oak Rocking Horse by Mirage
About the product: White Oak Rocking Horse Character Brushed from the Sweet Memories collection stole the show in 2022 for Mirage. Its light and rich, on-trend color with natural tones evoke memories of childhood. The Sweet Memories collection is designed to recall the authentic charm of old floors and stand out for its unique staining and brushing process—a Mirage exclusive.
“I’m always honored to speak about my favorite wood brand. I have 100% confidence in the products Mirage produces. Prettiest colors, finest quality, hardest finish and the best team. That’s why Mirage wood flooring is No. 1 in our showroom.” —Karla Wischmeyer, Verhey Carpets, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Smithcliffs by MSI
About the product: Smithcliffs hybrid rigid core flooring is a worry-proof solution featuring MSI-exclusive engineering. Smithcliffs offers an extra-thick, solid core, 2mm closed-cell comfort, acoustic pad and DryLuxe technology for 100% waterproof protection. An innovative CrystaLux Ultra protection layer ensures durability and longevity against everyday wear, and the flooring has built-in anti-microbial protection.
“The value and visuals MSI provides are unbeatable, and we are blessed to have such a strong relationship with this top-tier company.” —Bobby Yates, Yates Flooring Center, Lubbock, Texas
Anso Colorwall by Shaw Floors
About the product: The rediscovery of Shaw’s Anso Colorwall has been a key soft surface initiative for Shaw Floors. Canvas Comfort features a canvas or fabric finish that provides an elegant, tailored look in the home. This innovative visual adds a textural, yet subtle, “pattern” in 12 colors. And for homeowners needing added protection, there’s LifeGuard Spill-Proof technology found in Canvas Comfort Blue.
“Canvas Comfort has a very non-uniform pattern that makes an attractive visual in any room setting. This is the first pattern that I have seen that offers 60 color choices with coordinates that match. We’ve had a tremendous reaction from consumers already.” —Bruce Odette, Carpet Exchange, Denver
Painted Sky by SLCC
About the product: Painted Sky SPC provides modern styling to elevate any décor. The collection features oak and maple species patterns with 10 modern tones from light to medium shades, a 30-mil wear layer and 7mm thickness. The product is designed with fewer knots and 6-foot planks for a cleaner appearance with fewer seams.
“We really love the thickness of the product, the 30-mil wear layer, which clients are looking for. Painted Sky is also much more realistic looking than other SPC products. Support of the company is also important these days. We know SLCC stands behind their products.” —Rachel Trenholm, Kindred Flooring, San Dimas, Calif.
Brazilian Ash Atelier by Triangulo
About the product: Brazilian Ash Atelier, Quaruba, is a striking South American species harvested from Triangulo’s own sustainably managed forest. This unique and distinctive, rustic, yet elegant hardwood floor is ideal for any decorative style. Available in 5 1/4-inch and 7 1/2-inch widths to provide greater design versatility.
“Brazilian Ash Atelier is a perfect option for those looking for a durable and unique floor with just the right amount of character, featuring stunning warm, medium-toned color with earthy, grayish-blond undertones. Atelier has become the go-to for our designer community as it plays nicely with almost any element in the home.” —Alex Barnett, Ability Wood Flooring, Orlando, Fla.
Avant Garde collection by WE Cork
About the product: WE Cork’s Avant Garde collection of floating cork floors comes in multiple patterns sure to suit any décor. Planks feature a squared edge and come with the easy-to-install Uniclic locking system. Its innovative, high-performance Greenshield finish provides long-term wear and scratch resistance, making it suitable for both light commercial and residential use. Tough enough to stand up to even the heaviest of foot traffic, WE Cork floating floors require little maintenance and will last for years.
“It’s environmentally friendly—which is the main reason we sell WE Cork products—but it’s also natural looking, installs easily and it has a great price point. On top of that, it’s warm underfoot and insulating, and there’s a nice selection in terms of textures and colors. I love the WE Cork product!” —Alice DeGennaro, Longleaf Lumber, Cambridge, Mass.
HDPC Waterproof Hardwood by Wellmade
About the product: HDPC Waterproof Hardwood combines the performance virtues of rigid core technology with real hardwood wear layers. On-trend designs, including oak, hickory and birch, along with wire-brushed textures and finishes are featured throughout the collection. It is available in wider-longer planks and GreenGuard Gold certified for indoor air quality.
“The hybrid HDPC wood product has been a success. It is a durable, easy to install, water-resistant hardwood floor. The density of the core improves the overall performance regarding scratch and impact resistance. Since the veneer is a real hardwood veneer, there are no repeats.” —Rob Tarver, Wanke Cascade, Portland, Ore.
