Articles

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

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

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

The global natural stone slab market size is expected to reach USD 69.19 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 4.7% over the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the gaining traction in construction applications owing to its superior strength, enhanced physical properties, and uniqueness of colors. Read More

Despite security concerns, U.S. commerce with China is on the rise, reports the Wall Street Journal. However, flooring imports from the country have been in decline, says analyst Santo Torcivia of Market Insights. Read More

U.S. floor coverings manufacturer sales (shipments minus exports plus imports) growth continued to slow in the fourth quarter of 2022 as mortgage interest rates topped 7.0%. In the fourth quarter, dollar sales could have increased by 2.4%, while square foot sales could have dropped by 5.5%. Square foot sales dropped as housing demand decreased. Read More

The global natural stone market is expected to grow from $28.25 billion in 2021 to $30.49 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. Read More

In 2022, the tile industry remained dedicated to offering durable, high-performing and stylish products that consumers could rely on during the unpredictable year. According to the Catalina Report, U.S. ceramic tile manufacturer sales could have increased by 12.3 percent in dollars over the first three quarters of 2022, with sharp price increases contributing to dollar inroads. Read More