Cartersville, Ga.—Shaw Contract has launched Design for All, a new continuing education course (CEU) created to help architecture and design professionals better understand how inclusive, purpose‑driven design can support collective well‑being across commercial environments.
The details
What is Design for All? A 1.0 IDCEC / 1 LU and 1 AIA LU (General) accredited CEU that explores how design decisions influence human health, social connection, learning, and environmental responsibility.
What does the course cover? Through five interconnected lenses—Wellbeing, Connection, Learning, Experience and Thriving—the course examines how shared spaces can foster belonging, resilience and regeneration. Participants are guided through cultural shifts, emerging values and evolving design drivers that shape how spaces are created and experienced today.
Developed through Shaw Contract’s internal research and design process, the CEU reflects more than a year of cross‑disciplinary exploration by the brand’s design research, development and creative teams.
“We begin by studying broad cultural trends, emerging sentiments, and societal drivers,” said Reesie Duncan, vice president of global design at Shaw Contract. “From there, we identify themes that clearly communicate a larger story. The five lenses in Design for All naturally emerged as a way to connect research, design and human experience into a single, practical framework.”
Practical insight
The CEU provides designers with actionable insights they can apply across commercial interiors, including:
Emerging color directions that support inclusive environments
Long‑term environmental implications of design decisions
Material and color applications that encourage representation and belonging
Responsible design practices that consider both people and planet
The course emphasizes the role of design in shaping environments that are not only functional, but also supportive of emotional, social, and environmental well‑being.
“Design for All reinforces our belief that space has a powerful impact on how people feel, connect and thrive,” said Frances Phillips, senior marketing manager, content at Shaw Contract. “This CEU is designed to give designers thoughtful frameworks they can use immediately to create spaces that feel more inclusive, intentional and supportive.”
Course availability
The CEU is available to architecture and design professionals through Shaw Contract’s education platform and can be delivered as either a live presentation or a virtual session.
To learn more or schedule a CEU session, visit Shaw Contract’s CEU library here.
The structural strength behind SolidTech lies in its underlying locking system.
When it comes to SPC/ rigid core locking systems, all floors are not created equal. This axiom is especially relevant in a sub-segment overrun with low-quality, entry-level imports that largely compete on price. Mohawk’s SolidTech SPC is not one of those products.
The primary differentiator, according to Derek Harner, senior manager of resilient marketing at Mohawk, is the robust locking system utilized in the construction of SolidTech. “Uniclic remains one of the most reliable and installer-preferred locking systems in the market,” he explained. “Its engineered pre-tension and multi-layer profile create a tighter, more stable joint—which is something many competing systems can’t replicate. And with so many locking systems appearing similar on the surface, there’s a real need to help consumers understand that the technology inside isn’t all the same.”
While SolidTech isn’t brand new to the market—it originally launched about seven years ago—Mohawk is doubling down on its efforts this year to explain to retailers why the product stands out in the marketplace. It’s a timely initiative given the rigid resilient sub-segment is uber competitive with scores of suppliers occupying the space.
“We’re really trying to highlight some of the differences that help our products stand out— and one of the things that we’re really proud of is our partnership with Unilin and the Uniclic locking system that we’re able to utilize because of that relationship,” Harner explained.
Emphasizing that distinction is especially critical in today’s environment where retailers and distributors have been burned by claims spurred on by low-quality, entry-level products. “The most common warranty claim worldwide for rigid vinyl flooring is locking system failure—primarily because a lot of the product is SPC construction,” Harner noted. “The stone component of SPC can be very brittle, especially on some of the thinner products, the commodity stuff. In those products, you typically see system failures happening on the top of the locking system.”
When the locking system breaks or its integrity is compromised, the planks will actually start to separate, Harner noted. And because the weakest point is on the top of that locking system, it will actually force the lip of that product up. “So, when you’re sitting in your living room and you’re looking across your open floor plan home that you’ve just replaced all the flooring on six months ago, you can see the planks starting to separate and the lips starting to come up. And what that ultimately leads to is a call to your dealer saying, ‘Hey, you guys said this was under warranty. I’m having this issue.’ It ends up being a headache for the dealer. He’s got to come out and fix it.”
With the Uniclic system, it’s not a concern. “That’s not going to happen with the Uniclic system,” Harner noted. “Not only is it 1.5x stronger than the most widely used system out there, ours is 2x more durable.”
In backing those numbers, Harner pointed to industry-accepted testing. “The first one is called a tensile strength test, whereby you lock two planks together and you apply as much force as you can,” he explained. “You pull them apart until they break. The second one is a caster chair test, which helps replicate the results of caster chairs, office chairs rolling over the joints of the product. Thousands and thousands of time to simulate lifetime wear and tear on the floor. Our locking system does not break.”
Beyond ensuring a durable locking connection, the Uniclc system serves another function: keeping water or spills on the surface of the product. In fact, this year, Mohawk has extended its Floodproof Warranty to SolidTech, reinforcing its position in waterproof performance.
Montmagny, Quebec—Mercier Wood Flooring’s new campaign addresses concerns about hardwood flooring’s ability to withstand everyday use. The campaign highlights the company’s liv and livUP surface finishes, designed to enhance durability and long-term performance.
New finishes from Mercier allow homeowners to enjoy the warmth and natural beauty of real wood without sacrificing durability. The livUP formula also meets the demands of light commercial environments.
“After one year on the market with our enhanced finish formula, the results are unequivocal,” said Karyne Tremblay, director of product development and quality. “Our laboratory tests confirm outstanding performance and consumer testimonials consistently highlight satisfaction with the ease of maintenance and exceptional durability.”
“We refreshed the name and visual identity of our finishes,” said Jean-Philippe Dumas, vice president of sales and marketing and co-owner. “Now it is time to break the myths and show more consumers that a well-protected hardwood floor suits almost any lifestyle.”
Beginning in mid-March 2026, Mercier will launch a social media campaign. The effort will feature short videos highlighting different lifestyles. Each video shows how liv and livUP finishes perform in real-world conditions.
The message behind the new campaign is simple: Live life and the floor will keep up.
WPC continues to gain share in the residential market as consumers seek comfort underfoot without compromising on performance or design. At TISE 2026, new WPC introductions highlighted enhanced constructions and trend-forward visuals.
With a whopping 60 new SKUs launched across its hard surface portfolio in 2026, Stanton Design is demonstrating its commitment to continue expanding beyond its soft surface roots. Even more telling is the fact that approximately 40% of those new launches unveiled at Surfaces target the WPC arena. “A lot of the business is shifting from rigid SPC product into a more elevated experience,” said Arthur Scheel, regional vice president, hard surface, Midwest.
Scheel cited a few standouts in Stanton’s WPC offering, including Summit. “The colors in this line are warmer, medium brown tones that are more indicative of a hardwood color palette,” he explained. “This platform partners really well with our hardwood program.”
Stanton’s growing WPC offering also features new formats. New this year is a half-inch-thick WPC alternative in 60-inch lengths but more narrow 5-inch widths. Additional options include a 7 x 60-inch product and a 7 x 72-inch product. “These are looks and sizes that are more suitable for that everyday home,” Scheel explained.
COREtec came to the show excited about Retro Revival. What makes the new line unique, according to the company, is its 9 x multi-length sizing. “It gives that realistic wood visual, and has had great market reception so far,” said Rod MacLeod, senior product director, Shaw Industries.
Lions Floor expanded its WPC offering with Ocean Crest, which is positioned to serve the middle of the market and support its higher-end offering. “We’re not only focused on the higher end because we understand the economy in recent years has been challenging, and we want to make sure that we are providing a product that’s workable and a value add to our current offering,” said Jerry Guo, CEO.
Ocean Crest features 8mm, 9 x 60-inch planks and a 20-mil wear layer. The line includes a pressed bevel and EIR for optimal realism.
Mohawk dipped its toe in WPC in 2025 with the launch of Ember Coast in its Karastan line of higher-end options, but this year they put their foot in it. The Pergo brand is where its 8mm- 10mm WPC lineup will sit.
Cue Sterling Cove and Hazelwood Drift— available in the Pergo Preferred tier. They are both 8mm, 22- mil in a 9 x 60 format. The Karastan brand will remain the premium brand for Mohawk’s WPC where thicknesses will sit at 12mm. That line was expanded to include Charlton Ivy, a walnut option, featuring a bold and unique color lineup.
Mannington redefined its Adura selling system this year and with it came the expansion of Adura Apex. This higher-end Adura line now includes new products like Antiquity, which turned heads at the show for the company’s achievement in realism. “It’s all about getting it as close to the real thing as possible,” said Al Boulogne, senior vice president, residential product & marketing.
Another detail is not only does it look real and feel real, but it also doesn’t capture dirt. “The cleanability on this is actually pretty amazing,” said Renee Cannon, manager, residential styling. “I think that’s important because you would think it would get stuck [in the veining, the texture.] It’s just a part of the way we make sure it’s great for the customer. Not only do we want it to look and feel real, but we also want it to perform the way the customer wants it to.”
Cali unveiled its Longboards Icon line, a new WPC offering.
Cali expanded its WPC product offering with the launch of Longboards Icon. “The legacy continues,” said Mike Belprez, director of product innovation. “As the industry and the market really embraces and is having a growing and greater affection for WPC, we [wanted to provide that in Longboards.] If SPC were to drop off the map tomorrow, Longboards Icons ensures that we have what they need. And now we have a good, better, best option in resilient as well.” Icons features an extra-thick 14mm plank with a 22-mil wear layer.
Eternity Flooring built on its growing WPC offering and moved away from the SPC arena with a new line called Ingraind. The 10mm-thick product boasts a 28-mil wear layer and comes in 9 x 60 planks. The line features an ultra-matte finish for a more realistic texture and overall visual. “We did really well in the WPC category when it first came out, and we’re investing and focusing more attention to it,” said Isaac Lee, corporate sales, marketing and product development manager, Eternity Flooring. Matching stair nosings are also available with the new line.
Johnson Hardwood expanded its Vortis family of WPC products with the Aspen collection. Measuring nearly 9.5 inches wide x 72 inches long, the new line comes in both 8mm and 12mm versions. The line debuts in 12 colors available in light, medium to dark wood-grain tones and features EIR for added realism and texture along with attached pad. “We’re seeing interest from a lot of builders or in some residential applications where the homeowner is looking for an alternative to laminate,” said Billy Ko, CEO.
IFC unveiled a new display system that holds luxury vinyl options, including those featuring its new bevel technology.
IFC, while still a young company, has deep experience in WPC and continued to showcase its expertise at this year’s show. This time, with the unveiling of its new bevel system. “Ultimately, that consumer is coming in with that aspirational purchase of hardwood,” said Greg Wrenn, vice president, product and brand. “That’s what we’re trying to mimic. We’re trying to provide the most realistic solution to every single end consumer. So we’re going to continue to push the boundaries on that and make it as realistic as possible. And we think we’re getting closer and closer to that with this bevel system.”
The new bevel system, Natural Edge Plus, mimics hardwood better than its predecessors and focuses on a lighter pressed bevel up paired with a very subtle micro bevel.”
Southwind continues to make a strong push in WPC. Among the new offerings shown at Surfaces included Harbor Plank, an 8mm, 6 x 48, 20-mil wear layer offering with its Diamondized finish. “This is a floor that balances comfort underfoot, durability and timeless design appeal,” said Drew Hash, Southwind CEO. “We took the best styles and updated the colors.”
The offering also included Authentic Plank, featuring 8mm thickness, plank sizes up to 9 x 59, 20-mil wear layer with the Diamondized finish and Uniclic interlocking system; and New Traditions (9 x 60 planks) with embossed-in-register texture and pressed bevel edges.
Tarkett Home’s WPC offerings included EverGen Stone with HeritEdge that features an irregular bevel and integrated grout line. “You get true realism, something that isn’t available in any click format, except for here,” said Jason Surratt, president of Tarkett Home.
Tarkett Home also showed off Pietra, an SPC with a 20-mil wear layer featuring stone looks that was well received at the show, Surratt said.
TDG did not forsake WPC. A case in point is its TX101 collection, which is available in six colors, with a 5mm thickness and loose-lay format. “This product is going to be a monster for us,” said Doug Helmstaedter, regional vice president, Mountain West region. “We didn’t have loose lay in a meaningful way until now.”
One of the main highlights at the HF Design booth this year was the launch of the new Versa Core PureEdge line of Luxury Waterproof Floors. What makes it tick: The new line, a WPC product measuring 9 x 72 inches with a 28-mil wear layer, boasts an embossed-in-register, low-gloss finish for added realism. Another standout feature, according to Alex Shaoulpour, president, is its pressed, eased bevel. “The trend is moving away from the painted bevel; with this product you get more of a natural beveled look,” he explained.
Among its expansion in loose lay constructions and the launch of its Karndean Aesthetics platform (FCNews Feb. 2/9), Karndean also expanded its rigid core offering in 2026 via its Van Gogh collection. Retailers will see new elm-, oak- and pine-inspired designs. Van Gogh has a 20-mil wear layer, and every design is available in both glue-down and rigid core formats. The new designs will launch during the second half of 2026.
New hybrid vinyl constructions
AHF’s Drew Wiley with the company’s HDPC rigid core line from Armstrong Flooring.
Hybrid resilient constructions are carving out a unique niche by blending the performance strengths of various formats. At TISE 2026, new hybrid introductions showcased the ingenuity of the category.
Take AHF Products, for example. The company touted its High Density Polymer Core (HDPC) line. “What excites me is the value we’re bringing to our customers with our HDPC launch,” said Drew Wiley, director, product management. “With that, we’re focusing on three things: capacity, quality and brand.”
The company is now producing roughly half of the domestic rigid core demand out of its Cartersville, Ga., facility, which has more than 200 million square feet of annual capacity—an intentional move as demand for U.S.-made product grows.
Engineered for performance, the rigid core platform is designed to withstand temperature swings from 0 to 160 degrees, offering enhanced dent resistance through a denser construction than traditional rigid core products. It also delivers stronger locking systems for improved installation integrity.
Engineered Floors continues to tout the “PureGrain difference,” with new offerings from its PureGrain High-Def DLVT lineup. Antiquity and Divine, for example, aim to capture the authenticity of real wood, replicating unique grain textures thanks to a digitally printed décor that allows for high-resolution imaging and enhanced plank repeats.
Inhaus expanded its family of Ceramin-branded offerings with the introduction of the Nuva collection, an opening price point companion to the Icon and Gallery offerings, respectively. In the good/better/best tier structure, it’s the opening salvo. “It hits that price point [$3.99] where we can go after more of the builder and multifamily stocking dealers,” said Sean Landes, sales director, Inhaus.
LICO had on hand one of the most unique constructions in the industry: True Earth Floorworks. This line of luxury vinyl is a multilayer 100% organic modular plank floating floor. It is touted as waterproof, kid-proof and pet-proof while being composed of 79% recycled material. What truly stands out is the company’s commitment to recycling each floor for its “Second Life” strategy. The flooring can also be responsibly disposed of, where it is designed to naturally break down at the end of its life—an uncommon and forward-thinking concept within the category.
Nox’s latest addition to its LVT lineup is its new LDW+ or Luxury Design Wall. The product can be installed on both floors and walls and is going after the ceramic market. It features an affordable price point and True Texture technology, which allows for—you guessed it—realistic texturizing on the surface of the product. “You can see that this is exactly the same visuals and texture as ceramic tile, but this is much lighter,” said Joony Kim, director, product marketing & planning.
Forbo’s Flotex is a unique mash-up of vinyl and carpet tile to create a waterproof flooring product with infinite design options. “The beautiful part about this is we’ve taken a product that has pretty significant guts to it—meaning the 6,6 nylon, heavy duty, ready for wearability, waterproof textile product—but allows you to custom make designs and colors for the market that you’re going in—residential or commercial,” said Tim Donahue, U.S. residential national sales director, Forbo.
Floating floors have evolved from a niche installation method into one of the industry’s most versatile and widely adopted solutions. Today’s platforms span multiple constructions—from laminate and engineered wood to rigid core and hybrid formats—each designed to simplify installation while touting reliable performance. Advances in locking systems, core technology and surface realism continue to elevate the category, giving retailers more options across price points and applications. For dealers and installers alike, the appeal remains clear: faster installs, fewer callbacks and more consistent results.
The annual Floating Floor Guide gives the retail and distribution community access to today’s top floating floors, including the latest intros and theirs features/benefits.
Gartman LLC, provider of a comprehensive suite of technology products and distribution management solutions for the wholesale floor covering community, plans to hold its 2026 User Conference April 28–29 in Little Rock, Ark. Scores of Gartman clients are expected to attend.
“The goal of the user conference—which is held every 18 months—is to introduce new features across our apps,” said Chris Gartman, vice president. “We have ERP, e-commerce and CRM systems for sales. We also have electronic proof of delivery systems for logistics and warehouse systems for barcoding. It’s a full suite of products designed to go together.”
Next month’s event will showcase the company’s latest innovations and updates to all these systems, including new advanced AI-based tools for distributors. “We have a product called DMS Connect, which is built to connect all these various AI models to the Gartman ERP system,” Gartman explained. “We also have many first-party AI agents for Salesforce, customer service and e-commerce—agents designed to help those various users answer questions about their orders, quotes, invoices, items and pricing.”
According to Gartman, roughly half the conference programming will be dedicated to introducing new offerings, including exciting new AI features. The other half of the conference programming, he noted, will be more collaborative in scope. “We will have roundtables that our members can participate in,” he said. “Once we introduce our new features, we’ll spend the remainder of the conference discussing the features and if we need to tweak them in any way. We also expect to find out—based on conversations from all the attendees—what they want to see next and how we can improve what we presented.”
Embracing change
Gartman LLC, which recently celebrated 45 years in business, has witnessed a gradual evolution of the floor covering distribution business over that long time span. To its credit, the company has made improvements and updates to its suite of systems to not only keep pace with changes in customer needs and demands but also to guide its clients into the future. While the flooring distribution segment has a reputation for slowly adopting new technologies, Gartman sees encouraging signs. “We’ve had a lot of adoption in our CRM technologies and our business analytics technologies, but when it comes to other things—like logistics, for example—people don’t seem to adopt as quickly,” Gartman explained. “It depends on the technology. We probably have 20 different modules, and I would say about 80% of those have high adoption rates. We’ve seen low adoption on some of the more advanced accounting modules, but everything that we’re rolling out that’s AI related or analytics related—everyone seems to be adopting those as soon as they can.”
For Gartman, it’s all about timing. While discussions around AI and learning-based technologies have been on the company’s radar for some time now, it didn’t want to launch prematurely. “We’ve had our eye on AI for years, but we kind of held our ground on releasing some features because we wanted the technology to mature and catch up to the adoption rates,” he explained. “If people try to use new tools, but those tools are not living up to the promise that was given to them, then they will abandon them—and then it’s hard to get them to come back.”
Based on the alpha testing Gartman conducted with some of its clients, the company is confident users will embrace the benefits in short order. Attendees at the upcoming User Conference will get a closer look at the latest iteration, DMS 22, as well as updates across its suite of products, including analytics.
The Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) is proud to sponsor and support Sen. Ted Budd’s (R-NC) Employer-Directed Skills Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La). This legislation represents meaningful progress in aligning workforce development with real employer needs. Its impact will be felt in states like North Carolina and Louisiana where workforce solutions directly support local businesses and communities.
The Employer-Directed Skills Act empowers employers to play a direct role in identifying, training and hiring the workforce they need. By strengthening access to workforce funding and strengthening collaboration between industry and workforce boards, this bill helps remove barriers that too often slow down skills training in high-demand sectors like flooring. For North Carolina and Louisiana, this partnership is especially significant. Both states have strong flooring manufacturing, distribution and retail networks that rely on skilled installation professionals. As demand for quality installation continues to rise, building structured training pathways becomes essential — not optional.
Through FCEF’s Basic Floor Covering Installation programs, we are actively creating those pathways.
Our programs are expanding into multiple states, partnering with technical colleges, community colleges and high schools to deliver hands-on foundational installation training. These programs do more than teach technical skills; they introduce students to a viable, respected and rewarding career path. They also provide local floor covering dealers with access to trained, entry-level talent who understand industry standards and expectations before they ever step onto a jobsite.
But training is only the first step. Hiring these students is where the real impact begins. Dealers and contractors who bring graduates into their businesses are not just filling open positions; they are investing in the long-term stability of our industry. By providing mentorship, continued education opportunities and real-world experience, employers help these students build sustainable careers.
We are also seeing an exciting trend: retail sales associates enrolling in the Basic Floor Covering Installation programs. There is no better foundation for someone selling installation than to understand it firsthand.
Workforce development is not the responsibility of one organization or one employer. We all have an active role to play in ensuring the floor covering industry is supported for the future with qualified talent. FCEF’s sponsorship of Senator Budd’s legislation reflects our belief that employer-driven solutions are key to building sustainable workforce pipelines nationwide.
In March, WFCA is graciously taking us back to Washington to meet with additional states and representatives to continue raising awareness about the flooring industry and our workforce development needs. Advocacy matters. Visibility matters. And collaborative leadership and policymakers are essential if we are to create long-term solutions.
Kaye Whitener is executive director of the Floor Covering Education Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting recruitment, training and retention of floor covering installers. For more information, email kwhitener@fcef.org.
Cartersville, Ga.—Shaw Contract has launched Design for All, a new continuing education course (CEU) created to help architecture and design professionals better understand how inclusive, purpose‑driven design can support collective well‑being across commercial environments.
Montmagny, Quebec—Mercier Wood Flooring’s new campaign addresses concerns about hardwood flooring’s ability to withstand everyday use. The campaign highlights the company’s liv and livUP surface finishes, designed to enhance durability and long-term performance.
Lions Floor expanded its WPC offering with Ocean Crest, which is positioned to serve the middle of the market and support its higher-end offering. “We’re not only focused on the higher end because we understand the economy in recent years has been challenging, and we want to make sure that we are providing a product that’s workable and a value add to our current offering,” said Jerry Guo, CEO.
Tarkett Home’s WPC offerings included EverGen Stone with HeritEdge that features an irregular bevel and integrated grout line. “You get true realism, something that isn’t available in any click format, except for here,” said Jason Surratt, president of Tarkett Home.
Gartman LLC, provider of a comprehensive suite of technology products and distribution management solutions for the wholesale floor covering community, plans to hold its 2026 User Conference April 28–29 in Little Rock, Ark. Scores of Gartman clients are expected to attend.