NALFA launches hybrid flooring standards initiative

Springfield, Mass.—The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) has launched an initiative to define and develop performance standards for wood-based hybrid flooring. The effort aims to establish consistent testing methods and performance requirements for the emerging hard surface flooring category.

As manufacturers introduce new material technologies, hybrid flooring products continue to evolve in durability, water resistance and overall performance. However, the industry lacks consistent terminology and established benchmarks for evaluating these products.

“As hybrid flooring continues to evolve, the industry needs a clear and credible framework for understanding what these products are and how their performance should be evaluated,” said Tom Wright, president of NALFA. “Our goal is to apply NALFA’s established expertise to wood-based hybrid flooring, developing consistent testing methodologies and measurable performance expectations that build confidence throughout the marketplace.”

NALFA plans to address those gaps by defining the category, developing testing methods and establishing measurable performance expectations.

The initiative follows the association’s October strategic planning discussions in Savannah, Ga. During those meetings, NALFA leaders identified wood-based hybrid flooring as an opportunity to expand the organization’s technical expertise.

The effort will focus on hybrid flooring products that incorporate wood-based core technologies.

Next steps

NALFA will initially focus on defining eligible product constructions and determining the scope of future standards. Potential testing areas include scratch resistance, moisture and swell performance, dimensional stability and other durability characteristics.

The association will determine specific testing methods, performance thresholds and potential certification requirements through its technical evaluation and review processes.

NALFA said its experience with independent, third-party testing will help establish credible product performance standards. The initiative also aims to give manufacturers clearer technical guidelines while helping retailers, specifiers, installers and consumers evaluate hybrid flooring products.

The association is inviting manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, installers, testing laboratories and other industry stakeholders to participate in the initiative.

NALFA plans to take a phased approach and will release additional details about the technical scope, participation opportunities and next steps as the initiative progresses.

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Shaw Contract to unveil Bold Moves at upcoming events

Cartersville, Ga.—Shaw Contract is showcasing its new Bold Moves collection at two major educational industry events this fall.

Shaw Contract will feature Bold Moves at EDspaces this week in Kansas City, Mo., at booth 2635. The collection will also appear at A4LE LearningSCAPES 2026, scheduled for Nov. 4-7 at the Seattle Convention Center, booth 405.

“Bold Moves was built for the education community, so EDspaces and LearningSCAPES are exactly where it belongs,” said Sara Hudson, director of marketing, education, government and product launch at Shaw Contract. “These are the rooms where planners, designers and facilities teams decide what actually works in schools. We want them to see firsthand how much creative freedom this collection gives them without compromising on performance.”

Bold Moves features 24 x 24 inch carpet tiles with accent striping, organic textures and a range of colors. The collection coordinates with Color Code ceramic tile, allowing designers to carry a consistent color palette across floors and walls.

The carpet tile’s No Rules design allows installation in any direction. Shaw Contract said this flexibility can reduce installation time and labor costs. Tonal gradations also help blend dye lots, making it easier to replace individual tiles without matching their original orientation. Facilities teams can order replacement materials as needed rather than maintaining large inventories.

“Learning doesn’t happen in a straight line, and the spaces that support it shouldn’t either,” Hudson added. “Bold Moves lets designers use color to express a school’s identity and bring people together, while standing up to everything a high-use education environment demands.”

The collection features EcoWorx M backing, which allows moisture to evaporate between tiles. According to Shaw Contract, the backing reduces most subfloor moisture concerns and can eliminate the need for moisture testing in certain applications. Existing adhesive may also remain in place when permitted under the company’s installation guidelines.

The carpet tile also carries a 52 RC sound rating to help minimize sound transfer in educational environments.

Shaw Contract said Bold Moves carpet tile styles are carbon neutral, Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze and Living Building Challenge Red List Approved.

The collection uses EcoSolution Q100, a nylon fiber made with 100% recycled content sourced from pre-consumer waste. EcoWorx M backing is fully recyclable and contains up to 68% recycled content.

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NTCA honors Noah Chitty with 2026 Ring of Honor award

Flowood, Miss.—The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) has named Noah Chitty of Crossville/AHF Products the recipient of its 2026 Ring of Honor Award.

The award recognizes individuals whose leadership, service and dedication have made a lasting impact on the tile industry.

“Noah has given so much of himself to this industry,” said Bart Bettiga, NTCA executive director. “He is incredibly knowledgeable, but what makes Noah special is that he never makes you feel like you should already know the answer. He takes the time to explain, to teach, to listen and to help. That generosity has touched countless people throughout our industry.”

Chitty has spent more than 25 years in the tile industry, holding leadership positions at the Tile Council of North America (TCNA), StonePeak Ceramics and Crossville.

He currently serves as vice president of sustainability and technical services for AHF Products and chairman of the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) board.

Chitty also chairs ISO/TC 189, the international committee responsible for ceramic tile standards and serves on the NTCA Technical Committee.

Throughout his career, Chitty has helped advance tile standards, installation practices and industry education. He played a key role in developing product and installation standards for gauged porcelain tile panels.

“Noah has always understood that this industry is ultimately about people,” Bettiga said. “He has an incredible ability to bring people together. He builds relationships based on trust and respect and those relationships have strengthened our entire industry.”

Bettiga also recognized Chitty’s commitment to mentoring industry professionals and sharing technical knowledge.

“He doesn’t do things for recognition,” Bettiga said. “That’s one of the reasons this honor means so much. Noah has spent decades quietly doing the work, sharing what he knows, helping solve problems, mentoring others and looking for ways to make tile installation better. He has made a difference in ways that he probably doesn’t even realize.”

NTCA will formally recognize Chitty at Tile Solutions Plus in Miami on Monday, Nov. 2.

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NAHB applauds administration’s strategy to lower housing costs

Washington, D.C.—The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) praised President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at reducing housing costs and improving affordability for American families.

Bill Owens, NAHB chairman and a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio, issued the following statement in response to the order:

“NAHB commends President Trump and his administration for making housing a national priority. The president’s executive order will help reduce single-family housing and mortgage costs. We urge the administration to continue its efforts to reduce regulatory burdens to make housing more affordable for all Americans.”

The executive order focuses on lowering housing costs, while NAHB continues to advocate for fewer regulatory barriers to improve affordability.

Read the full executive order at whitehouse.gov.

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Louisville Tile introduces Kosen porcelain tile

Louisville, Ky.—Louisville Tile Distributors has launched Kosen, a glazed porcelain tile collection within its curated Wilcox Fifty Five line.

Inspired by handcrafted ceramics, Kosen combines natural textures with contemporary design. The collection features matte and glossy finishes with multiple graphic faces that create subtle variations in texture and appearance.

“The addition of Kosen to the Wilcox Fifty Five collection reflects our deeply intentional and meticulous curation process,” said Catherine Buehre, vice president of product development for Louisville Tile. “By traveling the globe, we keep our finger on the pulse of emerging design trends, allowing us to deliver unparalleled, world-class aesthetics to our clients.”

Kosen collection features

The new collection offers modular formats for interior and exterior applications, including bathroom walls and kitchen floors.

The collection includes:

• Four tonal matte colors in 2 x 6 inch brick and 4 x 6 inch formats
• Four glossy colors in a 2 x 6 inch format
• Coordinating jolly trim for finished edges

The glazed porcelain construction provides durability and easy maintenance, according to the company.

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Novalis earns latest SCS ASSURE certification for rigid core

Dalton—Novalis Innovative Flooring has earned certification under the latest SCS ASSURE Certified standard across its entire global rigid core flooring portfolio. The certification provides independent verification of the company’s manufacturing standards and product quality.

The certification spans manufacturing operations in five countries across three continents. It covers Novalis-owned brands and qualifying private-label programs.

As the rigid core flooring market continues to expand, manufacturers face increasing scrutiny over product quality, materials and long-term performance. Novalis said third-party certification remains central to maintaining consistent standards across its global operations.

“There’s no shortage of vinyl flooring on the market today, but there’s a big difference between making a floor that looks good and making one that performs for years,” said John Wu, CEO of Novalis Innovative Flooring. “We’ve been in this business long enough to know that the details matter, from the materials we use to how every product is manufactured. Our teams hold every facility to the same standards, no matter where in the world we’re producing flooring. We continue to put ourselves to the test because customers deserve flooring that’s made to last and they deserve to know we’re doing the work to make sure it does.”

Updated standard strengthens performance requirements

The Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) developed the ASSURE Certified program in collaboration with SCS Global Services in 2020. The program established consistent quality standards as the rigid core flooring market grew.

Novalis was among the first manufacturers to earn certification and continues to meet the program’s updated requirements.

The certification process includes independent evaluations of indoor air quality, product performance, heavy metals, ortho-phthalate content and manufacturing quality controls.

The latest SCS-111 Version 2.1 standard introduces an additional edge-strength requirement. Independent testing must verify that rigid core flooring locking systems meet a minimum threshold of 17 pounds-force.

Certification covers global product portfolio

Novalis’ certification includes stone polymer composite (SPC) and expanded polymer core (EPC) flooring. The covered constructions include wood polymer composite (WPC) and lightweight SPC (LSPC).

The certification applies to products sold under the company’s AVA, NovaFloor and DuraDecor brands, along with qualifying private-label programs. The certification also reinforces Novalis’ commitment to consistent manufacturing practices and long-term product performance across its global operations.

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AHF Products announces price increases

Mountville, Pa.—AHF Products announced price increases of up to 7% on select residential and commercial flooring products, effective Jan. 4, 2027.

The increases will apply to affected products and collections shipped on or after that date. Adjustments will vary by product and collection.

“These adjustments reflect ongoing inflationary pressures across the supply chain,” said Jennifer Zimmerman, chief commercial officer. “We continue to take steps to minimize the impact of these pressures while maintaining strong service levels and delivering high-quality flooring solutions to our customers.”

As a U.S.-based manufacturer, AHF Products said it remains committed to domestic production and reliable service. The company also emphasized its commitment to providing dependable supply options as customers and partners navigate continued geopolitical uncertainty.

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