Karndean earns two Adex Platinum awards

Export, Pa.—Two more luxury vinyl collections from Karndean Designflooring have been honored with Adex Platinum awards. Knight Tile and Korlok Select are two of three collections that were updated with stylish new wood- and stone-inspired visuals in 2025, along with the Opus collection—which was announced as an Adex Platinum winner earlier in the year, making Karndean three-for-three for 2025 collection updates.

Adex Platinum awards are bestowed annually by Design Journal, a publication for designers and architects. A panel of industry professionals conducts all voting for the awards, which honor exceptional product and project design.

Jenne Ross, Karndean director of product, said the Adex awards ultimately reflect the luxury vinyl supplier’s commitment to retailers. “We’re proud to once again be recognized for the artistry and craftsmanship that sets our flooring apart,” she said. “We invest heavily in our processes to ensure Karndean retailers have the industry’s most beautifully crafted luxury vinyl in their showrooms and available to customers.”

Knight Tile

The Knight Tile collection is a showroom mainstay for Karndean retailers, consistently delivering sales since its introduction more than 25 years ago. Offering signature Karndean artistry in a product with a 12-mil wear layer, every wood and stone Knight Tile design is available in both glue down and rigid core. Like all Karndean luxury vinyl, the collection is backed by a lifetime residential warranty.

“Knight Tile has time-tested appeal with homeowners,” Ross said. “When you think about everything a homeowner might be considering—aesthetics, installation, durability, performance, price—this single collection is going to have great options for a lot of customers who come through the door.”

Korlok Select

Korlok Select is a WPC rigid core collection with a 20-mil wear layer. The 2025 color additions were carefully developed to refresh the collection based on emerging consumer preferences.

“We understand how essential the right color is for homeowners, and we’re happy to support our retailers by broadening the spectrum of options in their showrooms,” Ross said.

Korlok Select is manufactured with a 5G locking mechanism backed by a HoldFast lifetime residential warranty. Stone-inspired tiles in the collection feature InteGrout, a nonporous, stain-resistant edge that replicates the look of grout in an installed floor.

Inspired by reclaimed oak from the Netherlands, Leyster Oak captures the natural beauty of the wood’s knots and black marks on large 9 x 48 planks.

Better by design

Karndean Designflooring luxury vinyl captures the natural beauty of wood and stone in extraordinary detail. Combining artistry, craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, every wood and stone design is an original available exclusively from Karndean.

Unlike most luxury vinyl suppliers, Karndean develops and owns all of its wood and stone designs, curating the natural materials that inspire them from around the world. The Karndean product development team crafts the wood and stone to enhance the natural beauty, ultimately resulting in a visual on print film that becomes Karndean intellectual property.

The strict control in product development and manufacturing ensures that customers can count on Karndean for the industry’s most beautifully crafted luxury vinyl.

The post Karndean earns two Adex Platinum awards appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Karndean earns two Adex Platinum awards Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Interface launches noravant, PVC-free rubber flooring

Atlanta—Interface, a global flooring and sustainability leader, expanded its rubber portfolio with noravant, billed as a first-of-its-kind PVC-free resilient flooring solution combining high performance, bold design flexibility and a low carbon footprint. The initial product, noravant timber, features a woodgrain design in rubber flooring and is available in the Americas and select EMEA markets. This launch broadens the options available in Interface’s rubber portfolio, which now includes noraplan, norament and noravant.

With innovative technology behind its design flexibility, noravant allows designers to specify rubber in more spaces within high-performing environments—from patient rooms and classrooms to waiting areas, corridors and more.

“noravant is a major breakthrough in flooring—there’s now a PVC-free resilient product that combines superior performance with unmatched design flexibility, all while maintaining a low carbon footprint,” said Anne Marie Lisko, vice president of global product category management at Interface. “Our R&D, manufacturing, product and design teams have been working on this groundbreaking platform for quite some time, conducting extensive in-market tests to ensure it meets our quality and performance standards. Building on more than 70 years of expertise in the rubber category, noravant adds to our portfolio of hardworking rubber flooring solutions.”

Key benefits of noravant:

• No PVC: Delivers the additional PVC-free resilient offerings customers want.
• Design flexibility: Brings more design possibilities to the rubber category.
• High performance: Offers easy maintenance and improved resistance to chemicals, stains and wear.
• Longevity: Has a service lifetime of up to 35 years.
• Low carbon footprint: Helps reduce a project’s environmental impact.

Rubber reimagined

noravant is the result of dedicated R&D and product engineering innovation focused on pushing the boundaries of possibility within the rubber category:

• Features an innovative multi-layered construction that delivers the performance benefits of nora rubber flooring, greater design freedom with on-trend aesthetics and enhanced sustainability.
• Stands up to demanding interiors thanks to ShieldForm, a proprietary advanced surface technology that provides best-in-class chemical and stain resistance, effortless cleaning and long-term durability

noravant was born out of the need for more design flexibility in rubber flooring. The woodgrain design of noravant timber makes it ideal for demanding spaces that require elevated looks:

• Offers biophilic-inspired visuals to support occupant well-being across multiple industries.
• Features a timeless oak pattern and foundational color palette made for today’s commercial spaces.
• Serves as the platform’s initial product, with plans to add new styles in the future for greater design freedom.

“With noravant, we’re bringing disruptive design thinking and expertise in innovation to the rubber category,” said Kelly Simcox, head of global design at Interface. “We’ve already elevated our nora portfolio using innovative chip blends and nuanced color to generate marble- and terrazzo-inspired looks. noravant builds on this success and expands the creative potential of rubber even further. It’s a true design platform that empowers designers to create inspiring spaces—especially in healthcare where high performance is essential.”

Enhanced sustainability

noravant has one of the lowest carbon footprints in rubber, supporting Interface’s bold “all in” commitment to be carbon negative by 2040:

• Contributes to the circular economy and created with the full life cycle in mind.
• Includes 10% post-industrial recycled content as well as bio-based materials.
• Can be recycled at Interface’s specialized facility in Germany and will be part of the nora product take-back program.
• Adds to the company’s portfolio of PVC-free resilient products.
• Is Cradle to Cradle Certified at the Silver level.

The post Interface launches noravant, PVC-free rubber flooring appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Interface launches noravant, PVC-free rubber flooring Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Flooring Stores United partners with Reach Social

Atlanta, Ga.—Flooring Stores United (FSU), a retail selling system built exclusively for independent flooring retailers, announced a strategic collaboration with Reach Social, a performance-driven social media marketing agency, to further strengthen digital visibility, lead generation and brand positioning for FSU dealers nationwide.

This collaboration brings together FSU’s exclusive brands, limited distribution model and synchronized online-to-showroom experience with Reach Social’s expertise in paid social strategy, creative execution and measurable campaign performance.

“Our mission has always been simple, help local flooring retailers make more money by simplifying the buying journey,” said Neil Daley, founder and CEO of Flooring Stores United. “By aligning with Reach Social, we are amplifying the digital side of our retail selling system and ensuring our dealers’ exclusive territories are fully leveraged online as well as in-store.”

A Unified Strategy: Digital Marketing + Retail Selling System

FSU’s retail selling system connects in-store merchandising with a robust digital experience, including product-rich websites, room visualizers, online sample ordering and appointment scheduling. This seamless path from click to close has proven to significantly improve conversion rates when paired with visualization and sampling tools, according to Daley.

Through this collaboration, Reach Social aims to:

• Develop and manage targeted social media campaigns promoting FSU’s exclusive brands
• Drive qualified traffic into protected dealer territories
• Support showroom events, seasonal promotions, and brand-specific campaigns
• Optimize ad performance through ongoing testing and reporting

The result is a tighter feedback loop between advertising, website engagement and in-store sales performance.

“We’re genuinely excited about this partnership with Flooring Stores United,” said Shannon Vogel, owner and founder of Reach Social. “FSU has built something really powerful for independent retailers, and our job is to help amplify that online. This collaboration is about helping dealers win.

Protecting margin, driving demand

FSU is built around exclusive territories, simplified merchandising and minimum advertised price enforcement, all designed to increase retailer margin and reduce cross-shopping. According to Daley, FSU retailers consistently outperform industry average gross profit margins through limited distribution and private-label brand strategy.

By pairing Reach Social’s campaign precision with FSU’s exclusive zip code structure, dealers can drive demand into their protected markets without competing against neighboring retailers carrying the same products.

Built for the independent retailer

At its core, FSU exists for one customer, the local flooring retailer. This collaboration reinforces that commitment by giving dealers access to:

• High-impact creative assets aligned with FSU brand standards
• Data-informed audience targeting
• Consistent brand storytelling across platforms
• Clear attribution between digital marketing and showroom activity

“This is about empowering independent retailers with the same level of digital sophistication as national players, without sacrificing margin or brand integrity,” Daley said. “We want our dealers to be the disruptors, not the disrupted.”

The post Flooring Stores United partners with Reach Social appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Flooring Stores United partners with Reach Social Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Tile: Advancements lure homeowners back

As tile continues to compete with other hard surface categories, suppliers are leaning heavily into advanced performance technologies to strengthen its value proposition. From built-in antimicrobial protection that supports long-term cleanability to enhanced slip resistance engineered for outdoor applications, today’s tile is designed to perform as well as it looks. These innovations reflect a broader industry commitment to durability, safety and low maintenance—attributes that resonate strongly with homeowners seeking products that deliver beyond aesthetics.

Texture

New texturizing technologies are closing the gap between visual realism and tactile authenticity in ceramic tile. Through these advanced technologies digital surfaces not only replicate the look of natural wood and stone but also mirror their feel. Grain patterns align with texture, veining carries dimension and surface variation adds depth, creating a more convincing in-room experience.

Cleanability

As consumers place greater emphasis on health, hygiene and ease of maintenance, cleanability has become a critical selling point for ceramic tile. Advancements such as antimicrobial surface technologies are elevating tile’s performance throughout the home. These innovations help inhibit the growth of bacteria, simplify routine maintenance and preserve appearance over time.

Daltile’s Defend by Microban eliminates 99% of bacteria on the tile surface. Shown is Calligo.

Additional applications

Recent advancements in outdoor tile technology are redefining where the category can perform, both inside and outside the home. Enhanced slip-resistance and better weather tolerance have made tile a viable solution for patios, pool surrounds, outdoor kitchens and transitional living spaces. As indoor/outdoor design continues to influence residential construction, these performance upgrades are giving retailers greater confidence to recommend tile in areas that once seemed unattainable.

The post Tile: Advancements lure homeowners back appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Tile: Advancements lure homeowners back Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Wonder Porcelain promotes Dave Godlewski to vp sales role

Dave Godlewski

Lebanon, Tenn.—Wonder Porcelain, a leading American porcelain tile manufacturer, announced the promotion of Dave Godlewski to vice president of sales and marketing – independent channel.

“This promotion reflects Dave’s leadership, vision, and the meaningful impact he has made on our organization in a short period of time,” said Jacky Huang, chief executive officer. “With a continued focus on domestic growth and strong distributor partnerships, we are confident that Wonder Porcelain will achieve further success under his expanded leadership.”

Godlewski joined Wonder Porcelain in 2024, bringing extensive expertise and a proven record of developing and leading high-performing sales organizations. Since joining the company, he has made significant contributions to advancing sales strategies and strengthening valued partnerships, effectively positioning Wonder Porcelain at the forefront of the industry.

Prior to this promotion, Godlewski served as director of sales for the U.S. and Canadian markets. In this role, he played an instrumental part in expanding Wonder Porcelain’s domestic presence, reinforcing relationships with existing distributors and establishing new strategic partners nationwide.

In his new role, Godlewski will maintain responsibility for the independent distributor channel and sales oversight, while now leading all marketing and product development initiatives. Additionally, he will head Wonder Porcelain’s expanding private label division, supporting strategic partners through customized solutions and market-driven innovation.

Beyond his responsibilities at Wonder Porcelain, Godlewski serves on the education committee of the Ceramic Tile Distributors Association (CTDA), reflecting his commitment to industry advancement and professional development.

Wonder Porcelain looks forward to continued growth and innovation as it builds on its momentum within the North American market.

The post Wonder Porcelain promotes Dave Godlewski to vp sales role appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Wonder Porcelain promotes Dave Godlewski to vp sales role Posted First on https://fcnews.net

E by Emser wins Best of IBS Award

Las Vegas—Emser Tile was honored with a Best of IBS Award for Martel, part of its E by Emser Tile line, at the 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS), which was held here earlier this month. E by Emser Tile is a luxury line of tile collections curated to reflect a blend of innovation and tradition.

Every year, the Best of IBS Awards recognizes outstanding products in various categories that set benchmarks in design, technology and functionality. Martel is an extruded porcelain scalloped-shaped tile collection that features a special glaze finish. It’s available in four earthy colors and two shapes that can be arranged and installed in a variety of patterns.

“Martel reflects where our team sees tile headed—highly customizable, tactile and inspiring,” said Carly Ghodsian, product design and curation manager for E by Emser Tile. “Winning a Best of IBS Award is an honor and affirms our commitment to deliver inspired products that give designers and builders endless ways to shape unforgettable spaces.”

The post E by Emser wins Best of IBS Award appeared first on Floor Covering News.

E by Emser wins Best of IBS Award Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Surfaces ’26: Wood vendors showcase category’s finest attributes

Las Vegas—A cursory glance at all the hardwood flooring products making their debut at Surfaces last month made one thing crystal clear: the category is still very much alive and kicking despite ceding market share to competitive hard surfaces in recent years. Across the show floor, hardwood suppliers demonstrated both the visual characteristics and performance attributes of wood via product line extensions and entirely new rollouts.

Following are additional standouts from the show.

Upscale we go

Stanton, long a leader in the soft surface arena, continues its successful expansion across several hard surface categories. At Surfaces the company brought its signature upscale style to hardwood, showcasing a whopping 48 trendy styles in an all-engineered platform.

“The retailer gets everything they want from these 48 styles displayed in a retail setting really screams luxury,” said Arthur Scheel, regional vice president of hard surface, Midwest. “In this display you’ll find traditional hickory, a nice warmer brown with a little bit of red undertone and six really just clean white oak products on a 9 x 16 platform with a 3mm plain-sawn face and really nice finish—all prime grade hardwood. This entire program gives that look of oiled hardwood but with the durability of finish that consumers are seeking.”

But perhaps the best part, according to Scheel, is the products are within reach for mainstream consumers seeking a high-end visual. “Entering the hardwood category with products that convey a high-end feel has been a huge success for us, but we realize not every retailer can fit this mold,” he explained. “So this year we’ve launched what we would call the ‘entry price point into premium.’ This way retailers can take advantage of the entire experience.”

Other major brands are also focusing on the upper-middle to higher end of the spectrum. At the Fabrica, Lux, MSI and Urbanfloor booth spaces, for example, the spotlight shined brightly on luxury, wide-plank options designed to command a premium price.

“The highlight in hardwood at our booth this year is our Chateau collection, our No. 1 collection in all of Fabrica,” said Amy Tucker, director of hard surfaces, Fabrica. “With our three bestselling colors in that collection, we’re offering a herringbone pattern, which can be installed as an accent, basket weave—any of those things the retailer needs to make a beautiful floor for your customer.”

Meanwhile the company’s popular Manor collection gets three new colors in slimmed down, 4½-inch-wide planks. “The narrow planks are becoming popular again,” Tucker said.

Lux, which initially made a splash in the waterproof WPC/SPC arenas, introduced its first engineered hardwood offering, The Woodrow, at the show. The line debuts in two formats: a 7.5-inch-wide x 9/16-inch-thick plank in random lengths up to 75 inches and a 3mm wear layer; and a 9.5-inch-wide plank in a 5/8 thickness and a 4mm wear layer. One is positioned as an entry-level offering, while the other targets a higher price tier. Both are available in three colors.

“This wood program nearly completes the hard surface floor covering category at Lux,” said Jesse Woodrow, chief operating officer. “It’s competitive. It’s aggressive.”

Another company making its engineered wood debut is Tarkett Home. At Surfaces 2026 the company took the wraps off a new line that plays to the company’s French heritage. It features a 4mm European oak wear layer in an overall thickness of 9/16 inches.

“It’s a great premium engineered wood product available in both a more traditional 3-inch-wide plank, a larger, 9-inch-wide plank and in a herringbone design,” said Jason Surratt, president. “It just looks phenomenal.”

Eye on pattern

The popularity of classic hardwood patterns was also on display in droves at Surfaces. The Urbanfloor space, for example, featured a sprawling installation of Savona—a 9 ½-inch-wide collection rendered in an eye-catching herringbone design. Named after the famed Italian port city, Savona combines Old-World charm with modern elements of urban life. MSRP for Savona is $10-$12 per square foot. “We’re seeing a return to classic designs but also renewed interest in hand-scraped looks,” said Jimmy Setiawan, president and CEO. “It’s a very high-end look that’s suitable for custom home builds.”

At the MSI space, all eyes were on updates to its popular W series. This included a McCarran Reserve, a new line that Fallon Crawford, sales director, called an “elevated version of the original McCarran” which features the same color palette but in A- and B-level wood grades. “The visual is a lot cleaner, no knots or fills,” she said.

MSI also showcased a companion herringbone pattern. Measuring 5 x 24, this format adds striking architectural detail to any room, with each plank revealing delicate knots and refined grain variations that highlight the inherent beauty of authentic European wood, according to Crawford. “It’s one of the more exciting introductions in wood we’re showing this year.”

Performance enhancements

For others, the focal point was promoting advancements that improve hardwood’s performance. Case in point was the latest intros at the Preverco space. “One of the key highlights was our new finish, which generated very positive feedback from customers,” said Keven Gaudreault, marketing director. “This latest formulation is more durable than previous versions while also offering enhanced flexibility to better absorb scratches and impacts. In everyday household situations, it helps minimize visible damage compared to many competing products, reducing the appearance of white scratch marks, dents or even finish that cracks upon impact.”

The post Surfaces ’26: Wood vendors showcase category’s finest attributes appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Surfaces ’26: Wood vendors showcase category’s finest attributes Posted First on https://fcnews.net