Mannington Mills recently was awarded a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its SimpleStairs product line, which is an exact match stair tread that features the same gloss, texture, and performance of the select Mannington LVT collections that they are designed to complement. The patent covers the production method and equipment utilized to produce SimpleStairs in the United States. 

 “In addition to providing the same visual as the floor, SimpleStairs provides the same scratch, wear, and fade resistance of our Realta SPC and Glue Down collections. It’s also waterproof,” said David Sheehan, Mannington VP of residential hard surface. The product provides retailers with an upgraded stair tread solution and a trade-up opportunity to provide a better looking, better performing and faster installation. It’s also an incremental profit generator for retailers.   

Built on a concept originated by Bob Pitman, retired president of Burke Flooring, inventors credited with the patent are Mannington associates Keith Bodendorf, project engineer; Dennis Bradway, product and standards manager; and Joe Finlaw (retired), installation manager.

Mannington plans to extend SimpleStairs to its Adura Selling Solution offering in 2023.