When it comes to hardwood products, it’s safe to say that both retailers and designers alike aim to provide customers with flooring that meets their specific quality, durability and aesthetic needs—just to name a few. 

Despite all these challenges the carpet industry still managed to divert a record amount of product from going to the landfill in 2013—534 million pounds, or 14% of the 3.7 billion pounds of total discarded carpet. 

Thanks, in part, to the many home makeover and renovation television shows today, rustic and distressed wood floors have taken the interior design industry by storm in recent years. Due to their popularity, uniqueness and practicality, retailers are seeing a continued increase in the sales of these types of wood flooring styles.

Initially introduced to the market on laminate flooring in the late 1990s, glueless, or click mechanical locking systems crossed over to the hardwood category in the early 2000s. With the introduction of these glue-free locking systems, installing hardwood floors became as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Standing out among the crowd isn’t always easy, but with the help of recognized personalities and household names, retailers have the opportunity of putting their products in the spotlight and separating themselves from the pack—especially if they sell rugs, which is where the majority of these licensed brands are going.

Selecting the right flooring for a space not only adds to its look, but experience and overall feel. That is one of the main points designers said when Floor Trends polled them to find out just what they’re looking for when designing for commercial spaces.

For many, Made in the USA is a sign of product quality, economic investment and some may even venture to say patriotism, and when it comes to buying floors, consumers’ standards and expectations remain the same.

Softer carpet options, wider plank hard surface choices and large rectangular tiles are just a few of the new and innovative product trends Shaw is featuring for retailers and consumers for 2014.