• 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 FlooringResidential FlooringColumns

Editorial

Ringing in the Year with Optimism

By Matthew Spieler
Matthew Spieler
January 5, 2015
OK, so 2014 wasn’t as fantastic a year as most hoped. That doesn’t mean it was a bad year. In fact, the industry overall was up a few percentage points over 2013 and considering how robust that year was it means 2014 ended up being pretty good.

The good news is that 2015 is projected to be more like 2013—maybe even better. Granted there are a great deal of unknowns, just like in 2014 how the harsh winter pretty much halted all business on the residential and commercial fronts for the first quarter and then the midterm elections caused the economy to go into roller coaster mode.

In speaking with some of the industry’s top executives, as well as dealers from around the country, just about everyone is entering the year with a feeling of optimism because all the signs are there for 2015—and beyond—to be good for the flooring industry.

All the indicators that matter to the flooring industry are still pointing upward and there is every indication to believe they will start to materialize at a faster rate moving forward.

One of the big ones is the single-family new housing market. In 2014, it never took off like many expected due in part to the reasons already mentioned. But make no mistake about it, the demand—and need—for these homes, both affordable and luxury, is there. In fact, on the luxury side, we’ve already been seeing growth as recent reports show more multi-million dollar homes being built than in previous years.

Then there is the remodel market. A Harvard study states remodeling in general will grow in the low 3% range over the first half. That means the flooring industry should see an even greater growth as it is common knowledge one of the first things people do when they move into a new or existing home or apartment is to replace some or all of the flooring. Why? Because the place is empty and that’s the most convenient time to change out the floors.

On the commercial side, contractors are full of optimism—even those in areas that have not seen true growth in a handful of years such as in the Pacific Northwest. It is easy to see why, as in my travels around the country I’m seeing more and more industrial-sized cranes going up, meaning more construction of office spaces—especially Class A space—as well as a tremendous amount in healthcare, from hospitals to walk-in emergency clinics to assisted living facilities. And then there is the hospitality industry, which is once again revitalized and remodeling or building new facilities as consumers and businesses are packing their bags at levels not seen since before the recession.

One of the best places to look and see why there is optimism is within the flooring industry itself, especially at the manufacturing level, which has more of a bird’s eye view of the overall economy. There is a ton of investments taking place to build new factories or re-equip existing ones with the most state-of-the-art technology, including many web-based, social media strategies to deliver customers to your doorsteps.

The mills wouldn’t be spending all this money if they didn’t think business was going to be picking up—and at a pace where they need to be prepared to meet the demand.

There are even more reasons to be optimistic for the year than space allows. The point is, you can look at the glass as half empty or as half full and about to get fuller.

KEYWORDS: flooring business news market trends marketing and sales

Share This Story

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

Matthew spieler 200px
Matthew Spieler is the former editor of Floor Trends.

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...
    Flooring Installation Products
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Floor Coverings
    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

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

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

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

RevWood American Originals.jpg

How Mohawk's Domestic Manufacturing Powers Growth in Challenging Times

Paul Hambidge

The Waterproof Laminate Myth: Why Consumer Expectations May Never Be Met

Installation Awards - Vote Now!

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

  • Tanja Kern

    Flooring Dealers Face the Future with Realistic Optimism

    See More
  • Feature Image

    Surfaces Showcases Industry Starting to Bounce Back as Optimism Highest in Years

    See More
  • International Surface Event (TISE)

    Optimism, Innovation Showcased at Surfaces

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook 2025 Edition

    2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

  • floorfinishes.jpg

    Environmental Impact of Materials: Floor Finishes

  • radiant.jpg

    Radiant Floor Heating, Second Edition

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • July 28, 2016

    Two Must-Have Programs for Contractor Employees Working in Health Care Facilities

    There have been many changes to regulations and increased safety concerns for floor covering contractors completing work in health care settings.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

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