Courtesy of Unique Wood Floors
Wooden Floors—Trending and Timeless
Wood floors are gaining popularity again—or perhaps they never truly went away. Part of why they’re making a comeback in current flooring trends is due to the lower quality of resilient floors such as vinyl plank. In the past several years, luxury vinyl plank has been the fastest growing category in flooring by taking market share from entry level wood floors, carpet, and ceramic tile alike, says Andrew Zheng, vice president of Unique Wood Floors.
But, this popularity has given way to quality issues, and Zheng notes that consumers are noticing more problems. “The main reason I believe this growth trend may be slowing down is because of the increase in product failure and installation difficulties caused by thinner luxury vinyl plank, giving the overall category a bad name,” he explains.
Tariffs are another important factor. More manufacturers are moving operations to different countries, but production isn’t at full capacity yet. “There has been a race to the bottom as far as pricing goes,” says Zheng. “With the lower cost, a lot of the products being sold on the market now are just getting thinner. It’s not necessarily a bad product, but something has to give when you try to lower the cost.”
While wood used to be considered higher end, there are now lower-end options, which still look great, and the price point is much easier for more homeowners. New technology has improved the look of water-resistant laminate, and the cost is reasonable. “[Manufacturers] have taken a lot of the wood plank technology and used it on laminate floors to make it look much more realistic,” Zheng says.
Most homeowners are also incorporating cork and using it in small, select spaces such as home offices or libraries. With current flooring trends, many people are also using cork for accent walls. Both cork and wood are considered great renewable flooring options, too, Zheng notes, because at the end of their lifespans, they are biodegradable.
[Read this next: “Materials 101: The Versatility of Wood with Manomin Resawn Timbers“]
Layered Looks, Textural Elements
Courtesy of Select Surfaces
Whether on stone or wood, reeded elements are in. They provide a layered look through texture instead of adding another material or more colors. While the price point is typically higher, most people are using it as a decorative element.
“The appeal of the reeded stone or cabinetry is that layer of texture,” says Tanya Otten of Select Surfaces. “You can really tell the difference in a kitchen or bathroom space when it has a lot of layers.”
Gray is out, and natural earth tones are in. And according to Otten, reflective surfaces, including countertops, are losing steam among today’s homeowners. Instead, consumers are leaning more toward matte or satin finishes. Thicker edges are also trending due to the attainable price point and elegant look.
Lastly, consumers are more aware of what their surfaces are made of, and as such, are trying to avoid anything considered a harmful chemical or something that will off-gas over time. “The general public has become more aware and is asking more questions,” Otten says. “People don’t want chemicals in their home; they want it to be a safe space.” Consumers care as much about what their surfaces are made of as how they look.
|
|
|
