Our Blog

Dalton—Southwind began here as Cherokee Carpets in 1994. The carpet mill acquired another mill called Southwind and, in 1997, changed its name to Southwind and began selling direct to flooring retailers. In 2015, Southwind added hard surface flooring. Six years later,...

Most professional installers would agree the ultimate success of any flooring job mostly depends on the condition of the subfloor. To that end, manufacturers/suppliers of subfloor prep materials and subfloor testing tools are looking to address this issue with...

Cartersville, Ga.—The Montage collection is a large-scale solid vinyl tile (SVT) from Shaw Contract with a classic terrazzo visual designed to combine durability, stain resistance and ease of maintenance to meet the demands of commercial spaces. “Terrazzo is...

Washington, D.C.—With mortgage rates declining by more than one-half of a percentage point from early August through mid-September, builder sentiment edged higher this month even as builders continue to grapple with rising costs, according to the National Association...

Washington, D.C.—Single-family starts posted a solid gain in August on robust demand and moderating mortgage rates even as builders continue to grapple with challenges related to lot and labor shortages and elevated prices for many building materials, according to the...

Flooring retailers across the country continue to tout the influence of waterproof positioning. Between the power of the tagline to get consumers in the door and the advances in technology that have given the label clout, waterproof flooring continues to drive sales...

After asserting that it would liquidate because no buyer could be found, LL Flooring on Sept. 6 altered course and signed an agreement with F9 Investments, its largest shareholder, for a going-concern sale of the business.  Per the agreement, which is expected to...

(Editor’s note: This installment is the second of two parts). Since the pandemic, the U.S. has lost approximately 8 million people from the workforce. That figure represents approximately 5% of the overall workforce, a sizeable and noticeable number to be sure....

2024 has been much slower for the flooring industry than the previous three years, a period I have dubbed the “COVID-19 Boom.” When the lockdowns first took place, I instituted weekly group teleconferences with my Flooring Success Systems members to help them...

Crossville, Tenn.—Crossville has introduced new Argent 2.0 porcelain tile, offering a timeless aesthetic that can complement a variety of design styles. Moving away from the bold hues of its predecessor, Argent 2.0 embraces a serene and tranquil palette conducive to...

Dalton—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) released a new “Tuesday Tips” this week. In the series, WFCA experts presents short video tips for improving customer service and optimizing staff performance. In the end, it’s all about understanding the importance...

Rockwall, Texas—For those previously incarcerated looking for a second chance in life, becoming a trained floor covering installer is a way forward, according to Robert Varden of Advanced Flooring Technology (ATF). Three years ago, Mark Farnsworth, president of...