Laminate takes visual realism to the next level

Laminate flooring suppliers are not sitting idly by while the red-hot resilient flooring segment continues to gobble more market share—quite the contrary. While WPC/ SPC/LVT products may hold the upper hand in the waterproof department, laminate suppliers are seeking to gain a competitive advantage by focusing on the aesthetic attributes the category has to offer, as laminate designs strive to more closely match real wood, ceramic or other natural materials. (This on top of its well-earned reputation for durability, scratch resistance and performance.)

At the core of these efforts are advancements in digital imaging/ scanning technologies. These innovations, which also include embossing, surface finishing and proprietary manufacturing techniques, have enabled laminate producers to narrow the visual and performance gap between laminate and the natural materials the category seeks to emulate.

One of the most noteworthy developments has been the evolution of high-resolution digital imaging and printing technology. Earlier generations of laminate flooring often relied on relatively repetitive photographic patterns. Today’s manufacturing technology allows producers to create much more sophisticated decorative layers. High-resolution digital photography and improved printing systems capture extremely detailed characteristics of natural wood, including knots, mineral streaks, grain variations, color shifts and subtle imperfections. Manufacturers can then reproduce those characteristics across multiple designs and plank sequences.

This has helped laminate move beyond simply imitating generic oak or maple. Modern products can reproduce the visual characteristics of specific wood species and styles, ranging from white oak and European oak to walnut, hickory, ash and other popular hardwoods, even reclaimed lumber. Wider/longer plank formats further reinforce the appearance of a genuine hardwood installation. The same applies to ceramic tile, stone, slate, marble and travertine looks. Not only have laminate manufacturers achieved tremendous strides in mimicking these tile and stone visuals, but they have been able to achieve these popular looks via traditional plank formats—which is no easy feat. Suppliers have also been able to enhance visual realism by creating designs that reflect fewer pattern repeats. Rather than simply repeating a small number of photographic images, manufacturers can produce larger pattern libraries and more varied plank visuals.

For retailers, this is an important selling point because consumers often judge realism by looking at an installation as a whole rather than examining a single plank. Greater visual variation makes it more difficult to identify repeating patterns and gives the finished floor a more authentic appearance.

Capturing the look and feel

The latest innovations don’t stop at visual characteristics. Thanks to ongoing advancements in surface texturing, i.e., EIR, traditional laminate can more accurately reproduce the heft and feel of real wood planks. Manufacturers can now create textures that correspond closely with the printed design beneath them. This allows the physical texture of the surface to align with the visual grain pattern. A consumer may see a knot or prominent grain feature and actually feel a corresponding indentation or raised area.

Manufacturers are also getting much better at replicating other aspects of the genuine article—namely bevels in hardwood flooring planks. Four-sided bevels, for example, can emphasize the individual-plank appearance associated with hardwood. More sophisticated edge treatments can make laminate installations resemble premium wood products rather than a continuous printed surface.

Of course, none of this matters if the product doesn’t have the right gloss level. Innovations in surface technology enable manufacturers to manipulate sheen and/or finish to reproduce more naturally looking flooring products. For example, a matte or low-sheen surface can help replicate the appearance of an unfinished or naturally aged hardwood floor, while deeper texturing conveys a more aggressive wire-brushed or hand-scraped wood. Other finishes can reproduce the worn characteristics associated with reclaimed or distressed flooring.

Following is a sampling of some of the latest laminate flooring lines that leverage the aforementioned advancements and technological innovations to render more realistic visuals.

BHW: Waterfront

BHW Floors’ Waterfront laminate collection was crafted to be the centerpiece of a beautiful home with its eye-catching planks that span 87 inches in length by a broad 9 inches in width. Planks are accented by their four-sided, painted bevel edges.

Classen: PURA

Classen, one of Europe’s largest laminate flooring producers, demonstrates its expertise in the category with PURA, a high-end look without the high price tag. The product’s extra-long planks and highly refined synchronized surface structures are almost indistinguishable from real wood.

Engineered Floors: Empower

Engineered Floors extends its PureGrain brand to the Renew laminate collection. Currently available across two platforms— Empower and Restore—these core trade-up products feature the latest design trends with stylish wood visuals that are popular with today’s consumers.

Hallmark: Crescendo 

Hallmark Home’s Crescendo collection features TrueTouch Texture and 3D graining, delivering realistic oak visuals. The fade-free finish and waterproof locking system combine to reduce callbacks while its pet-friendly, scratch- and stain-resistant surface broadens appeal.

Inhaus: Landmark

Inhaus’ signature Landmark laminate collection offers trade-up opportunities for retailers. The product, which comes in planks measuring 50 inches long x nearly 8 inches wide, makes a bold statement in any setting. Popular styles include Norfolk, Scarborough, Snowdrop, Springfield and Ellesmere (pictured).

Johnson Hardwood: Bella Vista

Bella Vista is a high-performance laminate flooring that offers realistic EIR wood textures with AC5 commercial-grade durability. Designed for high-traffic spaces, it combines scratch resistance, easy maintenance and Välinge 5G Dry locking technology.

Mohawk: Sonora Rise

Sonora Rise, Mohawk’s latest addition to its popular RevWood Plus line, is designed to serve as a conversation piece in the home. Measuring 9 ⁷/₁₆ inches wide x 80.5 inches long, the new plank format is the widest RevWood board to date. The line reflects the aesthetic shift toward cleaner visuals and features the company’s signature GenuEdge pressed bevel technology for added realism.

Shaw Floors: Komondor

Komondor, a Pet Perfect laminate from Shaw Floors, features the timeless beauty of white oak, offering ultra-realistic wood textures in eight colors. Every knot and grain isn’t just seen—it’s felt, thanks to its embossed-in register (EIR) texture. Komondor brings elevated style and lasting pet performance to any space.

Provenza: Modessa

Provenza’s Modessa Laminate floors, modeled after some of its top-selling hardwood lines, features high-definition, 10-pattern design format for fewer plank repeats. Its EIR texture and an enhanced four-sided pressed bevel edge deliver the ultra-realistic luxury hardwood visual that today’s consumers demand.

Stanton: Nuvo Grand

Following the successful launch of its Nuvo Lux and Nuvo Max lines, Stanton Design ups the ante in realism with its new Nuvo Grand collection. The product is a hefty 14mm thick, including an integrated 2mm IXPE pad, and comes in two plank sizes: 5 x 48 and 8 x 60. For the finishing touch, Nuvo Grand sports a micro-painted bevel and EIR for added depth and realism.

Titan Surfaces: Legacy Grove 

Primarily known for its expertise in rigid core flooring—namely WPC and SPC—Titan Surfaces also offers an impressive array of laminate flooring products. Chief among them is Legacy Grove, a 12mm-thick laminate, which provides the heft and feel of a real hardwood floor but with the high-performance attributes of a laminate.

The post Laminate takes visual realism to the next level appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Laminate takes visual realism to the next level Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Retailers React: What product/category has stood out for you in 2026?

Every two weeks, FCNews seeks out flooring retailers across the country to offer their advice on hot topics of the day. This week, we asked: What product/category has stood out for you in 2026?

Here are their responses:

“Engineered wood has seen an uptick. We feel this is likely due to higher budget consumers continuing with projects while the lower/mid-budget consumers are putting projects on hold.”

—Elise Lefebvre

ProSource Wholesale

Tempe, Ariz.

“Our RevWood Premier with Signature Texture technology is a fan favorite. We have it installed on our showroom floor with two colors that we stock year-round. We have been stocking them since they premiered, and people are in love with them. Not only the embossing but the definition of the coloring is replicating hardwood so well.”

—Typhannie Harker

Carpeting by Mike

Somerset, Wis.

“Anderson Tuftex has really stood out for us this year. Alluring and Indulgent have been leading the way in sales growth. It feels like customers are rediscovering an appreciation for high-quality carpet, investing in that soft, luxurious feel underfoot rather than defaulting to hard surfaces every time.”

—Bo Perkins

Broadway Carpets

Knoxville, Tenn.

“Carpet sales have increased recently, driven by the appealing patterns, styles, softness and sound absorption of higher-quality options—especially for bedrooms. Custom area rugs are also selling well alongside hard surface flooring.”

—Missy Montgomery

Montgomery’s CarpetsPlus Colortile

Venice, Fla.

“The waterproof laminate category has stood out for us. I think people are tired of getting all those micro scratches on luxury vinyl plank and word has gotten around. If customers do happen to ask for luxury vinyl plank, we also show them waterproof laminate, and since the price is almost the same, they like it better.”

—Don Lovato

CarpetSource USA

Albuquerque, N.M.

The post Retailers React: What product/category has stood out for you in 2026? appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Retailers React: What product/category has stood out for you in 2026? Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Prepare for the worst—and still hit your goal. Part 2

(Part two)

In part one of this column (FCNews, Sept. 14/21), I talked about how a bleak mindset can negatively impact not only sales expectations but also performance. I recalled a conversation I had with another executive, a guy who has been in this business a long time, and he told me something I still remember to this day. He said he tells his sales reps the same thing at the start of every year: “Something crazy is going to happen every year.” None of us knows what it is yet, but it’s going to happen, and their job is to figure out how to hit their number anyway. Experience shows if you have already decided the market is against you, the end user feels it the second they approach you. People pick up on that whether they show it or not. As a result, you might present smaller or steer the client towards the affordable product and the low bid. Worse, you may even dissuade them from signing at all without realizing it. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In this column, I will demonstrate how having a more positive outlook can have a tangible effect on actual outcomes.

Imagine a scenario where the salesperson at a nearby competing location refuses to let slower traffic color their outlook or mood. When walk-in traffic dries up, they don’t sit and wait for it to come back. They go get it. They search through social media and find the designers in their area that are remodeling beautiful homes, they’re sending email blasts and cold calling builders and restoration companies who need a good flooring partner. They are promoting themselves on their own social media pages, asking their suppliers for ideas and leads, and finding any dang way to make themselves the easiest person in town to work with. They are building a referral pipeline that keeps producing when the showroom is dead, because they’re actively building it. Same market, same headlines, and the same tariffs. One associate is becoming a product of their environment and the other is making their environment a product of them. The difference was never the market conditions.

That is the backup generator. The builder relationship you cultivated last spring is the sale that saves your fall. The designer who trusts you is the account that carries you through the quarter when retail traffic falls off a cliff. None of that gets built by a seller who spent the downturn explaining the downturn.

I’ll paraphrase one of our late, great presidents who said not to pray for easy lives, but pray to be stronger men and women. That is the entire mindset. You don’t get to pick the year you’re handed. You only get to decide whether you are resilient enough to hit your number within it.

The reps who win in the down years are not the ones who caught a break. They are the ones who planned for the break to never come and went to work anyway. They assumed the year would try to knock them off their number, and they built the muscle to make it up somewhere else. Different accounts. Different products. More line drives. That is a mindset, and it is one you can and should choose.

So, yes, assume there’s disruption on the horizon or even in the current moment in time—then go hit your sales goals anyway.

---

Mark Botros is vice president of sales & marketing for Jaeckle Distributors, a Wisconsin-based flooring and surfacing distributor. A Dallas native, Botros is a second-generation floor covering professional with over a decade of management experience in distribution and manufacturing.

The post Prepare for the worst—and still hit your goal. Part 2 appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Prepare for the worst—and still hit your goal. Part 2 Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Products offer performance and sustainability

Sustainability and environmental concerns continue to play a large role in the floor coverings industry. Adhesives are one of the areas greatly impacted by these issues, as well as compliance with environmental regulations. Today, products include features, such as solvent free, bio-based, zero or low VOC, recyclable packaging and healthier emissions benefitting both installers and end users.

Following are some of the products leading the way in sustainability.

Bostik

InnoStix PSA from XL Brands combines performance, versatility and sustainability. The product delivers all three with a USDA BioPreferred Certified (32% bio-based) pressure-sensitive adhesive designed for resilient flooring installations. Key benefits include aggressive tack and dependable bond performance; supports LVT, LVP, VCT, sheet vinyl, fiberglass-reinforced sheet vinyl and modular carpet tile; high-moisture resistance up to 95% RH; MicroSept antimicrobial protection; four hours of working time for installation flexibility; releasable and rebondable for carpet tile applications; solvent-free, low-odor formulation for occupied spaces.

Bona

Bona Quantum Flow is an easily pourable, one-component, silane-based wood floor adhesive designed for efficient installation and exceptional performance. Its smooth spreadability and strong green grab allow contractors to cover larger areas quickly, helping reduce installation time and effort. With a VOC-free formulation, in compliance with SCAQMD Rule 1168, the product delivers high-performance results with a formulation designed with today’s indoor environments in mind. Flooring can be ready for foot traffic and furniture in as little as one day.

Divergent

Divergent is dedicated to designing low-VOC, solvent-free, water-based adhesives that are not only safe for the end user, but also for the installer who uses them daily. These design features are not limited to only sourcing safe raw materials in the formulation, but include improving coverage, using recyclable packaging, reducing packaging and jobsite waste, and developing longer-lasting flooring systems. The goal is simple: Create adhesive technologies that meet today’s performance demands without compromising the needs of tomorrow. Divergent 574 Modified Pressure Sensitive Adhesive is smart, strong and safe.

Engineered Floors/Xcessories

Engineered Floors’ Xcessories Pro-Tac is a high-performance, modified transitional pressure-sensitive adhesive designed for modular LVP, LVT and hard-backed carpet. What stands out is its versatility: Installers can use it as a dry-set PSA with up to 12 hours of working time or a semi-wet set, while it confidently handles extreme substrate moisture up to 99% RH and pH levels up to 12. On the sustainability front, Pro-Tac boasts FloorScore and Green Label Plus certifications alongside an exceptionally low VOC profile of <11 g/L. Formulated with bio-based, mineral-abundant and post-consumer recycled content, it readily contributes to LEED v4/4.1 points for low-emitting materials.

Mohawk Performance Accessories

Performance Accessories V-One Multi-Functional Adhesive reflects a commitment to sustainability through product design and packaging innovation. Packaged in pails made with 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, V-One helps reduce reliance on virgin plastics while supporting more responsible material use. In addition, the adhesive is Greenguard Gold and FloorScore certified and contributes to LEED building initiatives, supporting healthier indoor environments and sustainable construction practices. By combining high-performance installation technology with environmentally conscious design, V-One delivers a solution that meets the needs of today’s flooring professionals and green building projects.

QEP

QEP’s Spray-Lock Premium Eco Spray adhesives were born out of concern for the environmental impact of aerosol chemicals. These high-performance formulas provide sustainable adhesives in the flooring industry. Spray-Lock’s pure polymer technology offers a low total VOC content. Other sustainability features include: 80% adhesive/material use reduction; 75% freight reduction (1 pallet of Spray- Lock covers the same square footage as four pallets of trowel-based adhesive). The adhesive allows for 100% recyclability of its packaging, eliminating landfill contributions; immediately allows all traffic, including heavy rolling or static loads; and, most importantly, limits wear and tear on the installer’s body.

TotalWorx

TotalWorx RockHold Pressure Sensitive Adhesive is a versatile flooring adhesive engineered to support a wide range of installation applications, including LVT, LVP, carpet tile, fiberglass-backed sheet vinyl and VCT. Its strong, reliable bond and pressure-sensitive technology provide installation flexibility while helping contractors maximize efficiency on the jobsite. The product also features a low-VOC formulation that promotes healthier indoor air quality and supports sustainable building initiatives. By combining broad flooring compatibility, professional-grade performance and environmental responsibility, RockHold delivers a dependable solution for demanding commercial and residential projects.

Sika

Sika’s latest wood flooring adhesive formulation is SikaBond T-85, a multi-use, sound and moisture control hybrid adhesive that cleans up easily off the surface of hardwood flooring when wet or dry. This easy-to-spread product contains zero VOCs, solvents or isocyanates and helps contribute to LEED credits. SikaBond T-85 is also Clean Air Gold certified. Providing multiple solutions in one pail, it offers moisture protection up to 12 lbs. ASTM 1869 and 85% RH/ASTM 2170, crack bridging, and sound reduction for full surface wood floor bonding. Once cured, SikaBond T-85 features a tenacious bond, high elongation and permanent elasticity, allowing planks to expand and contract without damage to the adhesive.

The post Products offer performance and sustainability appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Products offer performance and sustainability Posted First on https://fcnews.net

MILEstone hosts 2026 Sustainability Summit

Clarksville, Tenn.—MILEstone, Florim USA’s porcelain tile brand, welcomed more than 60 architects and designers to its 2026 Sustainability Summit here at its manufacturing facility. Taking place Oct. 7-8, the event brought together design professionals, sustainability leaders, manufacturers and installation experts.

Attendees explored responsible material selection, manufacturing innovation and new solutions shaping the built environment.

The summit combined expert presentations, interactive discussions, factory tours, installation demonstrations and product reviews. Attendees also had opportunities to exchange ideas about material decisions and sustainability challenges. The program offered AIA and IDCEC continuing education credits.

“Being a leader in porcelain tile’s sustainability initiatives means more than developing products and improving how we manufacture them. It also means listening, sharing knowledge and understanding what the design community needs to move forward,” said Rodolfo Panisi, president and CEO of Florim USA. “The Sustainability Summit gives us an opportunity to bring these conversations together, learn from one another and continue doing our part to support a more sustainable future.”

Education focused on real-world applications

The educational program addressed sustainability throughout the material lifecycle. Topics included manufacturing, material selection, healthy indoor environments, outdoor applications and installation.

A dedicated panel examined installation considerations for large-format porcelain panels. The discussion also covered industry expertise and factors that influence successful applications.

Manufacturing takes center stage

Attendees experienced porcelain tile production firsthand during guided factory tours and showroom reviews.

Live demonstrations featured MILEstone’s Pre-Fab porcelain panels and L-Shaped countertop solutions. The sessions highlighted installation methods, precision and expanded design possibilities.

The program also examined outdoor paver applications and DAC Stories Collections. Those sessions connected product innovation with changing needs across interior and exterior environments.

The summit brought product development, manufacturing, sustainability and installation expertise together in one setting. The goal was to help attendees consider aesthetics alongside the information needed to make informed material decisions.

Giving designers a voice

MILEstone also used the summit to hear directly from architects and designers.

Those professionals bring firsthand knowledge of client expectations, material challenges and emerging design trends. They also understand the demands of creating sustainable and resilient buildings.

The summit created a forum for attendees to share priorities and identify areas where manufacturers can provide additional support. MILEstone said those insights will help shape future education, product information and resources for the architecture and design community.

 

The post MILEstone hosts 2026 Sustainability Summit appeared first on Floor Covering News.

MILEstone hosts 2026 Sustainability Summit Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Karndean leverages expertise in LVT segment

Indy Urban Elm

Karndean Designflooring has spent decades concentrating on one flooring category: luxury vinyl. That focus has shaped not only its product development but also the way the company works with independent flooring retailers.

Rather than spreading its focus across multiple flooring categories, Karndean has built its business around specialized LVT expertise. That knowledge gives retailers another resource when working with customers, training sales associates or looking for ways to differentiate showrooms.

“Being a luxury vinyl-only supplier adds an element of trust that strengthens our partnerships with retailers,” said Jenne Ross, director of product at Karndean. “Our decades-long focus on luxury vinyl gives us highly specialized expertise that makes a real difference in the product quality, as well as a deeper understanding of what our retailers need. The ability to share that specialized expertise with retailers allows them to be more confident in conversations with customers and—when the time comes—in selling a Karndean floor.”

That specialization also simplifies the relationship between Karndean and its dealers. Rather than working with multiple representatives across several flooring categories, retailers can rely on one Karndean associate with expertise in luxury vinyl.

On the showroom floor, Karndean wants that knowledge to translate into confidence for both the retailer and the customer. The company’s emphasis on design plays an important role in creating that experience.

“The ability to offer a beautifully crafted product elevates the perception of our retailers,” Ross said. “It also reinforces the idea that Karndean retailers are specialists who can provide a first-class customer experience. Ultimately, retailers can have confidence that their customers are going to love their Karndean floor, which starts with the exceptional product design that has always set our flooring apart.”

Karndean develops and owns its wood- and stone-inspired designs, sourcing natural materials from around the world and translating them into original flooring visuals. The company’s product team works to capture and enhance the character of those materials before creating the print films used in its products.

“Every wood and stone design is a Karndean original,” said Dave Capalbo, the company’s vice president of retail sales.

Karndean’s commitment to the LVT category resonates with its dealers partners. Lubbock, Texas-based Yates Flooring and Design, which dedicates ample space to Karndean galleries on its showroom floor, can attest. “Karndean’s sole focus on luxury vinyl plank shows in everything they do,” said Ryan Rogers, Yates Flooring and Design CEO. “Their visuals are some of the best, if not the best, in the industry. They continue to find ways to set themselves apart.”

For Rogers, however, the relationship extends beyond the products. “What has made Karndean truly special to Yates Flooring are the people,” he said. “Their local team and upper management have become good friends and people I trust. Those relationships have helped us build a long-term partnership that has been great for our company and our customers.”

Corsini Marble

All about partnerships

Karndean sees a connection between those relationships and its roots as a family business. That background gives the company something in common with many of the independent retailers it serves.

“We’re a family business, just as so many of our retailers are,” Ross explained. “We’re always mindful that people have an emotional connection to their homes, and we take exceptional pride in crafting beautiful flooring that becomes part of their everyday lives.”

While “partnership” has become a common term among flooring suppliers, Capalbo said Karndean tries to make it a measurable part of its retail strategy. “The word ‘partnership’ can be overused, but for Karndean it’s the focal point of our retail strategy,” he said. “We measure our success by the success of our independent flooring retailers. That means investing in showroom displays, product launches, training, field sales support and marketing resources to help them grow their business.”

Those investments are shaped by what Karndean hears directly from its dealers. The company’s regional sales teams and other support personnel spend time learning about local market conditions, operational challenges and opportunities for growth.

“We spend time listening to retailers to understand what’s happening in their market, then ask ourselves the question: How can we help them win more business and strengthen their profitability,” Capalbo said.

Lottie Maloy, owner of Phillips Flooring America, Longview, Texas, agreed, adding that the combination of product knowledge and dealer support has helped her business compete in a crowded market.

“Karndean’s singular focus on luxury vinyl has made them much more than a vendor to us—it has helped us build a trusted, long-term partnership,” Maloy said. “Their specialized product expertise, original design, thoughtful showroom merchandising and ongoing training give our team the knowledge and confidence to offer customers something distinctive in an increasingly competitive market.”

Karndean’s ongoing support gives Maloy confidence that the supplier remains invested in its success. “The combination of trust, consistency and category expertise Karndean offers helps us differentiate our business through both the products we offer and the experience we provide,” she said.

It’s precisely that approach that has helped Karndean build a loyal dealer network. Long-standing relationships allow the company to better understand the goals of individual retailers and tailor support through customer service, merchandising, marketing and field sales.

“Our retailers understand we’re invested in their success,” Capalbo said. “The relationships we’ve established allow us to understand the unique goals and challenges of every retailer we serve and provide meaningful support accordingly.”

Karndean’s history as a family business also influences how it approaches those relationships. Despite the company’s growth, Capalbo said retailers should still feel they have direct access to people who can help when a need arises.

“Retailers know they’re not just an account number,” he explained. “They know they can pick up the phone and speak to someone who can help them.”

Merchandising support

Karndean’s relationships with specialty retailers have become increasingly important as more brands enter the hyper-competitive luxury vinyl category. Karndean sees product design as one point of differentiation, but the company also places emphasis on what happens after the product reaches the showroom.

“As essential as product is, it’s just one part of the equation,” Capalbo said. “We invest heavily in showroom merchandising because we know displays drive shopping behavior for consumers in the market for flooring.”

Karndean supplements displays with presenters, samples, marketing materials, education and training. The goal is to help retail sales associates understand features that distinguish the products and communicate that value to shoppers.

Eric Mondragon, division manager at RC Willey, Salt Lake City, said Karndean’s merchandising and local support have helped his sales team create a better customer experience. “Karndean has been a great partner for RC Willey,” Mondragon said. “Their long-standing focus on the luxury vinyl category has made them a trusted resource and industry leader. They continue to evolve their products and programs, and they are always open to feedback.”

Mondragon also pointed to the ease of using Karndean’s merchandising system and the support provided by the company’s territory manager.

The post Karndean leverages expertise in LVT segment appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Karndean leverages expertise in LVT segment Posted First on https://fcnews.net

Cersaie 2026 showcases global tile trends, innovations

Bologna, Italy—The 43rd edition of Cersaie concluded Sept. 25, bringing together manufacturers, designers and industry professionals from around the world. The international exhibition highlighted the latest developments in ceramic and porcelain surfaces, bathroom furnishings and architectural design.

The five-day event attracted 92,352 visitors and featured 595 exhibitors, including 233 international companies representing 24 countries. The show reinforced its role as a global platform for design innovation, manufacturing advancements and emerging industry trends.

Exhibitors showcased new applications for ceramic surfaces across countertops, cooktops, vanities, tabletops and sanitaryware. Outdoor applications also gained attention, with manufacturers highlighting products for patios, facades and other exterior spaces.

Across the show floor, earthy and blush tones emerged alongside deeply textured surfaces, grooves and bold graphics. Manufacturers also displayed increasingly large-format slabs and advancements in sustainable production.

Architecture and design take center stage

Beyond the exhibition halls, Cersaie’s “Building, Dwelling, Thinking” cultural program attracted considerable interest.

More than 800 attendees participated in keynote lectures featuring Pritzker Prize-winning architect Alejandro Aravena of ELEMENTAL and architect Annabelle Selldorf, founding principal of New York-based Selldorf Architects.

Throughout the week, press cafes, technical seminars and live installation demonstrations at Tiling Town gave attendees additional opportunities to explore industry developments.

The annual Ceramics of Italy International Press Conference brought together journalists from around the world to discuss emerging industry trends. Global trend consultant Cristina Faedi shared key design directions for the season.

The program also recognized achievements in architectural journalism, presenting Elle Decor with the 29th Ceramics of Italy Journalism Award.

Competition recognizes design excellence

Cersaie also announced the winners of the 2026 Ceramics of Italy International Tile Competition. The competition recognized four winners and five honorable mentions across the Residential, Commercial, Outdoor and Design & New Applications categories. The honored projects demonstrated the versatility of Italian ceramic and porcelain surfaces in architecture and interior design.

North American firms earned several distinctions. Florida-based 610 Interiors won the Residential category for its Spoonbill project. Brooks Design Studio received an honorable mention in the same category.

Space & Forms earned an honorable mention in the Outdoor category, while Design Continuum received recognition in Commercial. Canada’s Studio Maggs also earned an honorable mention in Design & New Applications.

Architect and journalist Donatella Bollani moderated the awards presentation. Participants included jury chairman Steve Clem, principal at TVS and architect Alfonso Femia, founder of Atelier(s) Alfonso Femia. Filippo Manuzzi, president of promotional activities and trade fairs at Confindustria Ceramica, also participated.

The event highlighted the growing range of applications for ceramic surfaces and the industry’s continued emphasis on design, performance and innovation.

The post Cersaie 2026 showcases global tile trends, innovations appeared first on Floor Covering News.

Cersaie 2026 showcases global tile trends, innovations Posted First on https://fcnews.net