The resilient category may very well be the hottest product segment right now, thanks to the popularity, affordability and accessibility of SPC and WPC offerings. However, that doesn’t mean specialty flooring retailers and distributors aren’t excited about the slew of hardwood flooring products available today. From wide-plank/long-board offerings to high-performance products designed to provide greater impact and dent resistance, dealers and distributors have no shortage of options to offer consumers and end users in the market for the real thing.
Following are some of the top-selling brands and lines this year:
Mohawk: TecWood
“TecWood has some nice coastal colors, and we will rely heavily on that as we roll out the line. It’s the best rollout in wood in a decade for Mohawk—and that is not smoke and mirrors. I thought it might be an off year for new introductions, but I have been pleasantly surprised with their well-balanced attack with offerings in what I would call the builder lane and the new home sales lane.”
— Rick Ogle, Brewer Flooring Group, Oklahoma City
Cali: Barrel collection
“We stock multiple SKUs from Cali and have had nothing but great results. The quality, price points, visuals and ability to be on trend with timeless style is top notch in terms of hardwood flooring. Our contacts with Cali are readily available and make the effort to be proactive in ensuring our stock levels are good, while also ensuring we have all of the latest and greatest displays and products available. Our Cali wood displays are well built, eye catching and add value to our showroom.”
— Will Truby, Yates Flooring Center, Lubbock, Texas
Hallmark: Ventura, Alta Visa
“We sell Hallmark to our customers because they are natural-looking products we would put in our own homes. The two most popular collections are Ventura and Alta Visa—which is not a surprise because consumers are gravitating toward the wider planks for that uniform look. These collections come in an array of lighter and warmer colors, which I applaud Hallmark for because it gives customers a lot of design freedom. They get the beauty of hardwood along with the perks of a durable, low-maintenance floor.”
— Jonathan Graf, Floor Covering Shop, Norwich, Conn.
MSI: ‘W’ Luxury series
“I was very impressed with Ladson and McCarran from the W Series; the products are clean as a whistle. The prices are extremely competitive, but they’re not taking the ‘shotgun approach’ with the line. We’re a very high-end wood source to the trade, and W fits our program very well.”
— Warren Rodkin, Variety Floor Covering, Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Urbanfloor: Prima Lusso
“We love the fact that the product comes in a select grade, which is something that’s highly sought after in the market right now. It’s a really high-end looking product but with a very aggressive price point.”
— Oliver Barajas Duron, Bridgebay Flooring, San Francisco, Calif.
Mercier: Atmosphere
“Mercier has always been one of the best wood producers available when it comes to overall product. Whether you’re in the market for a solid or engineered product, the options are endless. Their finish is the leading in the industry and it definitely shows across the board. One of my personal favorites is the Atmosphere line, which features a more natural and elegant look that many others cannot execute. The matte finish and character in their maple is a show stopper.”
— Brian McGee, Ambassador Mid-West Floor, Chesterfield, Mo.
Johnson Hardwood: English Pub, Grand Chateau
“We have been very pleased with our launch of Johnson Hardwood products. They are one of the leading manufacturers of premium hardwood flooring. They produce on-trend, high-demand flooring options by sourcing durable hardwood species from around the globe. We typically look for products that are different and unique as well as some- thing that is not going to overlap with our current portfolio.”
— Clint Haselhorst, R.A. Siegel, Austell, Ga.
