Released on = July 4, 2007, 10:41 pm

Press Release Author = Bharat Book Bureau

Industry = Construction

Press Release Summary = US demand for hard surface flooring is projected to advance
4.3 percent per annum through 2011 to over 12 billion square feet.

Press Release Body = US demand to grow 4.3% per year through 2011

Hard surface flooring is gaining market share over carpet and rugs, continuing a
trend seen over the past decade. This tendency is mostly driven by consumer
preferences for highend products such as laminate, ceramic tile and engineered wood
flooring, as well as increasing interest and popularity of natural and
environmentally friendly products such as bamboo, cork and linoleum flooring.
Product development and innovation in design and styling, in addition to better
production processes and new manufacturing technology, will expand hard surface
flooring demand by increasing the availability and range of products on the market.
Trends toward high-end, luxury products will help boost value gains, although market
maturity and growth in demand for lower-priced imports will moderate price
increases.

Laminate flooring to post the fastest gains

Through 2011, vinyl will continue to be the leading hard surface floor covering,
despite losing significant share to ceramic tile and laminate flooring. Vinyl
flooring will, however, continue to benefit from its low price and large selection
of colors and patterns, which makes it an appealing alternative especially in the
residential market. But the strongest product category in terms of growth remains
laminate flooring, which is expected to substantially increase its share of the hard
surface flooring market and provide the best opportunities through 2011. This
segment has posted double-digit growth rates for the past five years and is expected
to continue doing so for at least the next five. Gains will be driven by the
continuing popularity and increasing consumer familiarity with the performance and
benefits of laminate flooring. Moreover, laminate flooring prices are generally
lower compared to the flooring choices it mimics, such as hardwood. Nevertheless,
consumer interest in highend flooring products will aid demand for wood and ceramic
tile flooring going forward, especially as the 45 year-old and older demographic
segment, which typically has the greatest spending power, becomes larger.

Nonresidential building market to grow the fastest

The nonresidential building market is expected to provide great opportunities for
hard surface flooring, with demand rising to almost six billion square feet. Demand
for both new and replacement flooring will see strong growth in all nonresidential
building segments, which include office and commercial buildings, institutional
buildings, industrial structures and other nonresidential buildings. The residential
building market will grow at a slower pace than during the 2001 to 2006 period.
Weakness in the singlefamily housing market will be somewhat offset by rebounds in
multiunit and manufactured housing. Overall growth in hard surface flooring demand
in this segment will mostly be supported by residential repair and replacement
spending. Moderate increases in transportation equipment production will benefit
demand for hard surface flooring in motor and recreational vehicles, boats and
aircrafts.

Study coverage

Hard Surface Flooring, a new Freedonia industry study priced at $4400, contains
details on these and other findings. This study examines the US market for hard
surface flooring, including both resilient and nonresilient products. It presents
historical demand data (1996, 2001, 2006) plus forecasts for 2011 and 2016 by
product and by market. The study also considers market environment factors,
discusses competitive variables, evaluates market shares and profiles major players.

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