• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
  • AWARDS
  • EDUCATION
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Breaking Flooring News
  • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
  • Carpet & Area Rugs
  • Hardwood
  • Installation Products
  • Installation Tools & Equipment
  • Laminate
  • Resilient
  • Specialty
  • Tile & Stone
  • MARKETS
  • Commercial
  • Residential
  • AWARDS
  • Installation Awards
  • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
  • Continuing Education
  • Webinars
  • MEDIA
  • FLOOR Podcast
  • Videos
  • TISE 2025 Videos
  • Product Spotlights
  • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issues
  • Contact
  • Advertise
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Commercial Flooring

Main Street Brings the Comforts of Home

By FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
Aladdin's City Scope carpet tile
City Scope carpet tile by Aladdin Commercial.
Sidewinder Supper Club by Abbey Carpet & Floor
Sidewinder Supper Club by Abbey Carpet & Floor of Livermore, Calif., features Reclaimed Redwood and Salvaged Redwood vinyl planks.
Armstrong Flooring's Rigid Core Vantage

Projects with high traffic will require flooring that’s commercial grade, such as Armstrong Flooring’s Rigid Core Vantage, shown here.

The Futurist by Philadelphia Commercial
The Futurist by Philadelphia Commercial is a design-driven collection featuring eco-friendly EcoSolution Q Nylon and EcoWorx tile backing.
Aladdin's City Scope carpet tile
Sidewinder Supper Club by Abbey Carpet & Floor
Armstrong Flooring's Rigid Core Vantage
The Futurist by Philadelphia Commercial
February 12, 2020

A new year brings fresh opportunity on Main Street for specialty flooring retailers, and manufacturers are following suit with product introductions that are expanding what’s possible through softer, more residential-like designs and competitive pricing. 

“Commercial flooring is a key differentiator that retailers will need in order to grow their Main Street businesses in 2020,” said Amy Tucker, senior marketing manager, Shaw Floors.

Meredith Hafer, channel marketing manager, Armstrong Flooring, agrees: “Servicing Main Street needs offers flooring retailers an opportunity to grow their business by expanding their expertise into new markets. These projects can include flooring for medical and dental practices, accounting or law firms, restaurants and local retailers, day care centers, and public places like libraries and museums. While this can involve challenges, such as becoming familiar with commercial market specifications and requirements, there are also factors that play in retailers’ favor.”

The biggest trend? The blurring of lines between products that are considered strictly residential or commercial. While commercial projects may have more stringent requirements, the basic attributes are similar to what residential consumers are looking for in flooring: great-looking designs, durability to stand up to high traffic and everyday wear-and-tear, and easy installation and maintenance, Hafer said. 

“There’s an ongoing design trend for commercial spaces to adopt a more residential look,” she said. “This ranges from designing offices that are warm and welcoming to healthcare spaces that make patients feel more at home and less stressed.”

“We’re seeing the most Main Street specifications in multifamily, patient rooms and retail sectors,” said Jenne Ross, director of marketing, Karndean. “Across all three of our LVT product constructions, wood visuals are dominant—perhaps reflective of the resimercial trend. Popular visuals and colors range from contemporary washed grays, to neutral mid-browns, to reclaimed rustics.”

One aspect that’s important for retailers to consider is how their Main Street customer’s space will be used. Although LVT and rigid core that’s primarily used in homes can be installed in some light commercial applications, projects with high traffic will require flooring that’s commercial grade, such as Armstrong Flooring’s Rigid Core Vantage or Natural Creations with Diamond 10 Technology. It’s also important to modify installation based on the type of environment and expected use. While some rigid core can be a floating floor, you may decide it would be best to use a glue-down installation method. 

Choosing the right partners can help retailers to bridge the gap from residential to commercial projects. With a long history of manufacturing flooring for both residential and commercial customers, Hafer said Armstrong Flooring offers a portfolio of resilient products to support retailers’ Main Street initiatives, even if their needs can’t be met by traditionally residential products. This ranges from Armstrong Flooring’s colorful and durable VCT and PVC-free BBT to vinyl sheet flooring that can be heat welded to create a more hygienic environment for medical offices. Armstrong Flooring also has specialized products, such as slip-retardant flooring for an extra level of safety and static control flooring to help protect sensitive equipment. 

While Philadelphia Commercial has been Shaw Floors’ Main Street solution for many years, the company is expanding its legacy through a new Main Street brand, 5th & Main. 

“5th & Main stands for simplicity and ease of transaction, primarily servicing the dealer for retail, office, residential and educational end-use market segments,” Tucker explained. “Together with longstanding leader, Philadelphia Commercial, and its elevated design and service, retailers will experience new opportunities to expand their main street business in 2020, armed with the comprehensive products and solutions of these two offerings.”

5th & Main provides dealers with coordinating hard and soft surface modular flooring styles, intentionally designed to work together seamlessly. 

“We’re seeing more sophisticated visuals available at lower price points,” Tucker said. “Designs and shapes inspired by the natural world will continue to trend. Many new product launches will bring the warmth and comfort of home into the workplace. Additionally, color blocking, art deco and other retro influences translated into more contemporary visuals will balance the desire for bold color with products that have broader appeal for various main street applications.” 

On the soft-surface side, Aladdin Commercial introduces UltraSet matrix carpet tile backing and the continued use of EnviroStrand SDPET carpet tile.

“The broadloom category will remain flat; my goal is to introduce collections and a go-to-market strategy which continues to focus on our product coordination story—all broadloom, carpet tile and LVT collections will continue to share common colorways,” said Robb Myer’s, vice president of business development for Aladdin Commercial and Mohawk. 

He said Aladdin is developing tools to assist the dealer in becoming a design asset to their customers: “We are investing in digital solutions, such as an updated website, to better present our collections. New deckboard layouts and architectural folders will tell the Aladdin Commercial coordination story. Our business development team will lead the charge in training and product updates with the dealer retail sales associates.”

KEYWORDS: design trends Main Street market

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • resilient flooring

    The 7 Types of Resilient Flooring

    The resilient flooring category is comprised of many...
    Resilient Flooring
    By: Resilient Floorcovering Institute
  • QuickDrain USA’s ShowerLine linear drain

    Tips for Curbless Shower Installation Using a Linear Drain

    Consider these four tips when planning for a curbless...
    Installation How-To
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Commercial Flooring
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

close

1 COMPLIMENTARY ARTICLE(S) LEFT

Loader

Already a Registered User? Sign in now.

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

More Videos

Popular Stories

Ken Ballin manning the Tools 4 Flooring booth in Tool Alley at TISE 2025

10 Tool Innovations Every Flooring Contractor Should Have on Their Wish List

Schluter waterproofing system

Waterproofing Wet Areas: Three Essential Methods to Protect Your Bathroom and Shower Installation

Starnet 2025 Carlsbad CA

Future-Proofing Success: How Starnet Members Are Building Resilient Flooring Businesses


Download the Free Moisture Meters Guide

Events

June 9, 2025

NeoCon 2025

A trade show for the commercial interior design industry.

December 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Flooring Groups

Flooring retailers, do you belong to a buying, marketing or franchise group?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

FLOORtalk podcasts - Listen Now

Related Articles

  • New Take Collection_Senior Living.jpg

    Philadelphia Commercial Brings Fresh Flooring Solutions to Main Street for 2025

    See More
  • Textural Effects by Mohawk Group

    Feel the Comforts of Home with Mohawk Group's Textural Effects

    See More
  • main street business

    Be A Part of the Recovery on Main Street and Online

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • M:\General Shared\__AEC Store Katie Z\AEC Store\Images\Flooring images\new FL site\tile-style-for-home.gif

    Tile Style for the Home

  • ceramic art tile.jpg

    Ceramic Art Tile for the Home

  • 2025-BNi_HOME BUILDERS-CV.jpg

    BNi Building News Home Builders Costbook 2025 (Print Edition)

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • July 11, 2013

    Chairman of the House Economic Matters Committee Meet-and-Greet

    This July 11th, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm, the Maryland and Northern Virginia Floor Covering Association encourages you to attend a meet and greet with the Chairman of the House Economic Matters Committee, Dereck Davis.  This opportunity, to directly support the Chairman, will be hosted by MDNVAFCA Board and Legislative Committee Member, Kurt Zanelotti.
  • December 21, 2021

    Taylor Time Live: Give the Gift of Hope

    Join us live for our year-end special featuring the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF). The Christmas season is a time of hope and giving, and that's why we've asked the FCIF to join us to raise awareness about the incredible work they do.
View AllSubmit An Event
×
City Scope carpet tile by Aladdin Commercial.
Sidewinder Supper Club by Abbey Carpet & Floor of Livermore, Calif., features Reclaimed Redwood and Salvaged Redwood vinyl planks.
Projects with high traffic will require flooring that’s commercial grade, such as Armstrong Flooring’s Rigid Core Vantage, shown here.
The Futurist by Philadelphia Commercial is a design-driven collection featuring eco-friendly EcoSolution Q Nylon and EcoWorx tile backing.

We’re rolling out the red carpet of flooring knowledge!

Stay in the know on the latest flooring retail trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP