In a recent letter to distributors, Dennis Jarosz, sr. vp sales and marketing for Congoleum, said the company would raise prices 3 to 6 percent on its products to help offset the escalating cost of raw materials. Congoleum is one of a number of resilient makers in the past several weeks that have announced price hikes.

"While it is difficult in this economy for us to consider raising prices, we can no longer afford to absorb the increases in raw materials, energy and transportation costs that we have received," wrote Jarosz in the letter. "Therefore, effective with shipments beginning July 14, 2008, prices on all Congoleum products will increase by 3 to 6 percent."

The price of Endurance Plank is set to rise by 6 percent. Most sheet products, Forum Plank LVT, K-Plank and sundries will go up 5 percent. Dura products will rise by 4 percent. The company's Prelude, Concept, Pacesetter, AirStep, commercial tile and CX lines will rise 3 percent.