March 16/23, 2015; Volume 28/Number 19
By Ken Ryan
Surfaces was the launching pad for most new flooring products in 2015. But not every supplier chose the big stage to debut new offerings. Here are some other introductions hitting the market in 2015.
American Olean
Lori Kirk-Rolley, vice president of brand marketing at Dal-Tile, said innovation is at the heart of everything at American Olean. “We pride ourselves on the ability to provide our customers with cutting-edge products that help them bring their visions to life.”
American Olean’s latest lineup is a reflection of that commitment to innovation. Ultra Modern ColorBody Porcelain is positioned as the go-to product for large-scale projects. This double-load porcelain tile offers a consistency of visuals that most minimalist design schemes demand. TruEdge rectification allows for tighter grout joints, while two surface treatments—polished and unpolished—offer design versatility. Another new offering, Graphic Effects Ceramic Wall Tile with visual imaging technology, uses American Olean’s new visual imaging advanced graphics technology. Visual imaging adds texture, contrast and brightness to a product’s surface to achieve intricate visual effects that have a synchronized flow from tile to tile.
IndusParquet
The company’s new ½-inch thick engineered Brazilian Pecan Cinza has already received rave reviews in its early days. “We just launched it and the market is loving it,” said Jason Strong, vice president of sales at IndusParquet. Cinza has a plank width of 5 inches and lengths ranging from 12 to 48 inches. This multi-ply construction can be installed in any room of the house, including the basement. The 3mm top layer is dry sawn hardwood that the company said captures the beauty of the finest solid hardwoods. The top layer can be sanded and refinished if needed.
Karndean
Art Select Stones, a premium collection of stones that takes its inspiration from natural materials found in iconic destinations throughout the world, will debut for Karndean in mid-April.
“We sought out unique destinations around the world to find the inspiration for each design,” said Emil Mellow, vice president of marketing. “From the limestone cliffs of the Channel Islands and historic slate quarries in the Welsh countryside, to the slate steps of a former Parliament house in Melbourne, world famous marble quarries in Tuscany and even the travertine terraces of natural hot springs in Yellowstone National Park, you can share the inspiration of these experiences in the comfort of your own home.”
Featuring travertine, slate, marble and limestone, the collection will boast Karndean’s most intricate and realistic embosses to date. In addition to the textures and visuals, these stones will be available in a variety of sizes and formats in 16 x 16, 18 x 24, random Versailles patterns and the company’s new FreeLength, which replicates stone plank visuals in a variety of lengths for numerous design options.
Lauzon
Ambiance, Lauzon’s new CARB 2 compliant hickory collection, is manufactured using high precision molding machines and tools to ensure exact results for every product. The collection features Pure Genius, an air-purifying agent made of titanium dioxide integrated into Lauzon’s Titanium floor finish. Activated by natural and artificial light, it is said to break down toxic contaminants on contact (formaldehyde and other pollutants present throughout the home) and transforms them into harmless molecules. According to Lauzon, its constant and consistent action is so effective over time it makes indoor air up to 85% cleaner.
Widths range from 3¼ to 5-3/16 inches with lengths averaging 28 inches and going up to 47-3/16. Ambiance is available in four colors.
Marazzi USA
Lounge14 Color Body Porcelain from Marazzi is designed to convey the sense of old-world textiles with contemporary color body porcelain via 3-D digital print technology. Lounge14 speaks to the growing popularity of ancient fabrics and artisan inspiration incorporated into modern design. The 3-D approach, combined with monochromatic color gradations found in each piece, creates subtle movement and visual texture. This collection is suitable for floors and walls in residential or commercial settings.
“Like our brand, these collections reflect old-world European roots with a uniquely American twist,” Kirk-Rolley said. “We are always looking for ways to surprise and delight our customers with original and on-trend choices and we believe these deliver.”
The close-grain natural walnut and teak looks of Treverkchic Color Body Porcelain were developed with 3-D digital print technology ensuring no two tiles would be the same. Three widths and a 48-inch plank length elevate the collection above current wood-look offerings.
The San Savino Porcelain collection speaks to the growing sentiment that stone is not the only option when it comes to tile. Gentle edges combine with the authentic distress of stains and water discolorations to create a “robust counterpoint for contemporary furnishings and spaces,” the company said.
Metroflor
Reserve Timber is Metroflor’s latest offering in the Engage Collection. At 60 inches long and over 8½ inches wide, Reserve Timber is the largest plank in the Engage Collection. In addition to its oversized format, Timber is built to perform. Consisting of a 100% waterproof solid core, a 20 mil wear layer with a ceramic bead finish and the all-new UniFit Locking System by Unilin, Reserve Timber requires no adhesive and can be installed over most existing hard surfaces. The collection features seven rustic visuals featuring realistic texture and dimension.
Engage Select Tile features a linear stone pattern in a variety of colorations in a 12 x 24 rectangular format. Five new designs span a range from pale beige and gray tones to charcoal.
The Metroflor-branded Modera Plank and Tile Collection offers 21 new full-spread, grouted plank and tile visuals in 18 x 18, 12 x 24 and 5 x 36 formats with a 20 mil wear layer.
Metroflor’s New Haven Plank Dryback flooring comes in 4-, 6- and 8-inch planks. Current and trending colorations range from warm browns to grays in designs specifically created for retail, hospitality and corporate environments. The product is complemented by micro beveling and Metroflor’s new embossing technique: Timber Finish.
Finally, there is Aspire, introduced in 18 new designs, styles and sizes, as well as 16 x 16 square tiles. A new rectangular 12 x 24 Vienna and Selma tile collection joins the first Aspire 5 x 36 groutable plank format.
Mirage
Mirage has launched the Flair collection, offering an ultra low gloss look, rich natural character marks and color variations, and a highly resistant DuraMatt finish.
“People love the matte look of pre-oiled floors, but they’re often put off by how easily they wear and by the hassle of having to oil them regularly,” said Luc Robitaille, vice president of marketing at Boa-Franc, manufacturer of the Mirage brand. “The Flair collection is truly one-of-a-kind on the market. It fits with the latest trends and lives up to the high standards of durability and superior quality expected of our floors.”
The Flair engineered collection is available in maple and white oak. White oak is available in light character (6½-inch width) and heavy character (5- and 6½-inch widths) grades. Maple is available in heavy character grade in 5-inch width only.
Shaw
Introduced at Shaw Floors’ bi-annual Shaw Flooring Network Convention, as well as some other major January markets, Floorté—its newest luxury vinyl product—has quickly become Shaw’s “forte,” said Carr Newton, vice president of laminate and resilient at Shaw Floors. Having been on the market for only a few months, this brand new product line has become a top seller for Shaw resilient this year.
“The market acceptance of Floorté has been exceptional,” Newton said. “Dealers were really excited to see it at our January winter markets and include it in their showrooms. In addition, sales of the product are outstanding. We continually receive requests from dealers for Floorté as a spring update to their showrooms.”