By Megan Salzano
Trims, moldings and vents are the unsung heroes of most flooring projects. Providing the finishing touch to any installation, accessory products are what truly makes for a satisfied customer. However, the plethora of profiles available in the market—while helping to make it easy for a consumer to easily match their flooring—can sometimes be daunting for dealers looking to be successful with the category.
As such, accessory manufacturers are offering advice on how a retail operation can be successful with the sundry category, including everything from choosing the most state-of-the-art options to bolstering relationships in the industry.
“Independent retailers need to be ahead of the curve,” said Joe Kennedy, president, Perfect Vents. “They can set themselves apart and be successful by offering the best and newest options available. The proper trims make all the difference in the world to the final outcome. Flush mount vents can be used to set yourself apart and give you a competitive custom edge over the box stores. The stores that are the most successful with our product include the vents into the initial quote, just like they do with stair nosings and baby thresholds—not as an add-on purchase or upgrade.”
Bill Treiber, technical sales and education manager, Artistic Finishes, explained that the expectations presented by the retailer must be met or their reputation may be on the line. “Getting all the details like transitions correct from the start is important to the success of any business,” he said. “Those details lie in the choices made for your accessories.”
Flooring retailers also need to be able to talk intelligently to their installers, Treiber stressed. “Artistic Finishes enables them to have direct installation instruction through videos and instructional guidelines. This creates both a better understanding of the products being installed as well as a vocabulary that builds a relationship of repeat business.”
For Mark Pacacha, national sales manager, Seneca Millwork, it’s all about relationships. “Retailers can be more successful with trims and moldings by having a solid relationship with a carpenter,” he explained. “With this partnership they can offer stair treads to the consumer instead of stair nosings. The consumer gets a richer more upscale look and the retailer has a better sale.”
Following is a curated selection of the best accessories available in the market.
Artistic Finishes
Artistic Finishes’ Enduracor takes on an improved look with its high- definition scanning and digital printing technology while using the same waterproof core.
“Our new digital print Enduracor products as well as our training, installation guidelines and instructions are just the latest from Artistic Finishes in creating a successful program for the flooring retailer.”
—Bill Treiber, technical sales and education manager
Pennwood
Pennwood offers transitions for both the hardwood and vinyl categories. The company also provides wrapped molding and print decorative decals on hardwood to provide unique visuals.
“To continue our growth, we must be in the position to provide moldings not only for hardwood but in luxury vinyl. The demand for these floors has been phenomenal. It only makes sense to expand our portfolio to make Pennwood a ‘one stop shop’ for hardwood molding, vinyl wrapped molding and more, all customized to coordinate with each manufacturer’s floor.”—Kraig Coxon, executive vice president
Perfect Vents
Perfect Vents’ products consist of a powder-coated, steel support plate and a matching vent made out of the floor (Southwind Authentic plank in Finnish Pine seen here). The vent has magnets embedded into the back to keep the patented system in place. Offset louvers allow for air control by spinning the vent 180 degrees.
“Our vent is unique for a few reasons: First, our vents are completely flush and match the floor exactly because they are made out of the actual flooring. While there have been hardwood vents that have done this in the past, ours is the first to do it with floating floors, and we have the patent to back it up. Second, we know that speed of delivery is of the utmost importance, that’s why we stock every color from 10 of the largest flooring manufactures and have plans to add more. Third, our vents are functional. With a simple flip of the vent you can control the airflow.” —Joe Kennedy, president
Seneca Millwork
“SignatureEdge stair treads bring a fresh, modern and classic look to a product category long ignored in the accessories part of wood flooring. In addition to bullnose and square edge design options, Seneca Millwork’s new eased, chamfered and double-chamfered stair tread edges highlight staircases in both traditional and modern settings.”—Mark Pacacha, national sales manager
