Articles

Following higher than expected growth in 2021 (17.3% up on 2020), Mohawk Industries reported a slight slowdown in the 2022 financial year. This is hardly a surprise given the inflationary pressures present in many markets coupled with higher energy and raw materials prices and rising interest rates. Read More

When trying to develop a forecast for the US building market, there are three indicators that tell the story with the most accuracy. The first is housing starts, which historically has always influenced the ceramic tile industry. With the increasing interest rates, we are already experiencing a decline in new home starts. Read More

It’s our third week celebrating National Tile Day and counting down to Coverings. This is a long-time favorite, so we’ll cut right to the chase: Our third tile trend for 2023 is cemented looks. If you’re getting deja vu, it’s because cement-look tile was trending in 2020 as well. But while 2020’s trend focused on the industrial-chic vibe of cement looks, 2023 is all about the versatility of cement looks. For example, cement-look tile may feature a worn patina look or it can appear to be layered, sanded, or tinted. You’ll find cement looks in large-format tile, mosaics—and every size in between—with textured surfaces and color variations. As a result, cement looks are suitable for a wide range of applications, from bustling corner cafes to serene spa-like garden spaces. They can bring visual harmony to a space and still evoke a raw urban energy. Read More

The global resilient flooring market size is expected to reach USD 65.29 million by 2030 and is expected to expand at 6.9% CAGR from 2023 to 2030. The demand for resilient floorings is predicted to escalate over the forecast period as a result of increased investments in the construction industry and rising demand for aesthetic building enhancements. Furthermore, the growing construction spending in the emerging Middle Eastern and Asia Pacific economies would further bolster the market growth. Read More

For several years now, the U.S. ceramic market has been going through a period of transition with the expansion of U.S. manufacturing, removal of Chinese imports from the market through tariffs, significant instability in raw material sourcing and increases in raw material costs, and developments in technology that have enabled advancements in aesthetics and formats. And over the course of the last year, the market has worked to fi nd its footing as a result of these dynamics. At the same time, ceramic manufacturers and importers are fighting the same battles that many other flooring categories are—working to maintain ceramic’s market share, as LVT continues to steal square footage from virtually all other flooring categories; seeking solutions to the shortage of flooring installers; and communicating its value to the various end user groups, many of which do not yet understand that, while costly up front, ceramic carries a significant useful life, offers great durability, and has a strong green story. Read More

The truth of the matter is that for many aspects of residential construction such as framing, tiling and finish carpentry, construction techniques haven’t changed a lot over the years. A recent academic paper titled “The Strange and Awful Path of Productivity in the U.S. Construction Sector” points out that while labor productivity has doubled across the U.S. economy over the past 50 years, it has been falling or, at best, stagnant for the construction sector. Read More

In this article, we aim to expand your thinking about the cost of materials to account for the costs borne by individuals and fenceline communities who are exposed to toxic chemicals every day. The bottom line is that some products can be sold cheaply because someone else is carrying the burden of the true cost. Read More

The International Surface Event (TISE): Surfaces | StonExpo | TileExpo, held on Las Vegas January 31 to February 2, experienced a 67% increase in attendance over the 2022 event with double-digit increases again over events going as far back as before 2019. Read More

Lowe’s announced Q4 2022 sales were $22.4 billion, a 5% increase compared to $21.3 billion in Q4 2021. Comparable sales for Q4 decreased 1.5%, and comparable sales for the U.S. home improvement business decreased 0.7%. Read More

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: FND) (“We,” “Our,” the “Company,” or “Floor & Decor”) announces its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 29, 2022. Read More