U.S. floor coverings manufacturer sales (shipments minus exports plus imports) dropped 7.4% in 2023, according to Catalina Research, with the sluggish housing market and high interest rates contributing to the decline.

Laminate accounted for 3.3% and hardwood flooring for 11.9% of the overall $34.10 billion U.S. market. The primary end-use areas for laminate flooring are residential replacement, residential builder, and commercial replacement. Hardwood’s top end-use markets are residential replacement, residential builder, commercial new construction and commercial replacement.

Heading into 2025, wood flooring manufacturers are relatively optimistic, according to a survey by the National Wood Flooring Association. In NWFA’s annual Industry Outlook, 69% of respondents project sales increases while 23% expect sales to remain the same, with opportunities coming from product diversification, new distribution channels, and operational improvements.

When it comes to design, the outlook notes, consumers are calling for white oak, other natural wood colors, matte sheen finishes, and wider and longer boards.

Quick Stats
• 2023 worldwide sales by members of the EPLF were 318.0 million m², down 13.4% from 2022, although the downward trend seems to be slowing. Western Europe accounted for 52% with sales of 156.4 million m² sold, while North America was at 21.6 million m².

• NALFA announces new standards and tests for laminate flooring, including the LF-01 Laminate Floor test standard and the Macro-Scratch and Moulding test methods.

• Although more than 60% of consumers “shopped” online for flooring, when it comes to actual purchases, 79% of U.S. and Canadian consumers went to retail stores, according to research by TraQline/HIRI.

Source: woodworkingnetwork.com