Articles

Personal income increased $72.9 billion, or 0.3 percent at a monthly rate, while consumer spending increased $27.9 billion, or 0.2 percent, in February. Read More

Total U.S. ceramic tile consumption in 2022 was 285.4 million sq.m, down 1.3% from the previous year. Imports by volume decreased, too, down 2.3% to 202.7 million sq.m, while national production grew by 2.3% reaching 87.3 million sq.m. Read More

The global flooring market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.77% during 2022-2028. The flooring demand is mainly concentrated in countries such as the US, Japan, China, the UK, Germany, and France. However, developing Asian economies such as India is witnessing increased adoption of flooring products owing to developing industrial or non-residential sector. Read More

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022, after increasing 3.2 percent in the third quarter. Read More

The share of baby boomers has surpassed millennials and now makes up the largest generation of home buyers, according to the latest study from the National Association of Realtors. Read More

Three weeks remain until Coverings, and we hope you’re getting as excited as we are. To share our enthusiasm and continue our National Tile Day celebration, we’re highlighting yet another 2023 tile trend. This week’s trend: statement stones. What makes a “statement” stone look? In design, we are seeing a significant effort toward individual expression as people are choosing materials that speak to them personally instead of falling back on safe-for-resale designs. And when porcelain provides a multitude of options, including floor-to-ceiling sizes, why go small? Floor-to-ceiling stone-look porcelain exudes sophistication and will make a lasting impression. And thanks to its superior durability, it doesn’t require the regular maintenance or upkeep marble, granite, or other natural stones do to stay looking its best. This material selection will also be much nicer on your budget than thick slabs of stone. Inspired by precious and rare marbles from classic calacattas to linear zebrinos, porcelain stone looks can be understated, elegant and neutral or bold, rich in movement and in attention-commanding colors. A statement stone look can elevate a run-of-the-mill room into a well-appointed work of art. Read More

STATE OF THE INDUSTRY During the Tile of Spain Press Conference, held on the first day of the fair, Vicente Nomdedeu, President of The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER), echoed the strength of Spain’s ceramic sector, reporting on 2022 production, sales and exports figures. Read More

Seasonally adjusted construction employment rose from February 2022 to February 2023 in 45 states and declined in five states and the District of Columbia, according to Associated General Contractor’s analysis of data Bureau of Labor Statistics. Read More

The pandemic focused attention on our homes as never before, lifting the U.S. remodeling market to an unprecedented height of $567 billion in 2022, according to Improving America's Housing 2023, a new report released by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Read More

Total construction starts rose 6% in February to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $912.8 billion, according to Dodge Construction Network. Read More