Economic uncertainty slowed single-family construction

Washington, D.C.—Single-family home construction declined across all geographic regions in the first quarter of 2026, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). NAHB cited economic uncertainty, high material costs and elevated interest rates as key pressures.

Multifamily construction grew in most areas, according to the latest NAHB Home Building Geography Index.

“Markets continue to shift single-family construction activity away from high-density population centers toward more affordable rural areas,” said Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders and a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio.

NAHB chief economist Robert Dietz said higher material and financing costs continue to weigh on single-family production. “Higher material and financing costs are acting as major headwinds to single-family production,” he said. “And while builders continue to offer price cuts and incentives, ongoing affordability challenges are keeping many potential buyers on the sidelines.”

Dietz said multifamily markets have remained broadly resilient. However, he said those same pressures could soon affect the multifamily market.

Single-family permits slowed

Nationwide single-family permits slowed in the first quarter. Large metro core counties saw the sharpest declines. These areas have the highest population densities.

Core counties within large metro areas contracted 16% year over year on a four-quarter moving average basis. Compared with the previous quarter, the market declined another 3.2 percentage points.

More broadly, single-family construction in non-rural areas fell 9.2%. That category includes counties in small and large metros.

Large metro core counties have lost an average of 0.1 percentage points in market share each quarter for the past decade. The pace of decline accelerated after the pandemic.

This geography accounted for 14.7% of single-family permits in the first quarter. That was down 1.3 percentage points from a year earlier and 4.1 percentage points from a decade ago.

Large metro suburban counties followed a similar trend. Their market share fell 3.3 percentage points over the past decade.

By contrast, other geographies saw more even gains. Outlying counties in small metros recorded the largest gain from a decade ago, rising 1.9 percentage points. They also gained 0.7 percentage points from the first quarter of 2025.

The first-quarter HBGI showed these single-family market shares:

• 14.7% in large metro core counties
• 24.3% in large metro suburban counties
• 9.3% in large metro outlying counties
• 29.4% in small metro core counties
• 10.8% in small metro outlying areas
• 7% in micro counties
• 4.5% in non-metro/micro counties

Multifamily construction grew

Multifamily construction expanded across most markets in the first quarter. The exceptions were outlying counties in large metros and micro counties.

NAHB said those two geographies appear to be normalizing after consistent growth throughout 2025.

Large metro core counties posted the strongest multifamily gain in the first quarter at 20.8%. Activity accelerated after returning to positive growth in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Multifamily construction in non-rural counties also grew 10.5%. Growth in rural counties slowed from 11.4% in the previous quarter to 1.8% in the first quarter.

The first-quarter HBGI showed these multifamily market shares:

• 36.5% in large metro core counties
• 26.9% in large metro suburban counties
• 3.1% in large metro outlying counties
• 23.8% in small metro core counties
• 5.1% in small metro outlying areas
• 3.4% in micro counties
• 1.2% in non-metro/micro counties

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Retailers React: What segment of your business is flourishing?

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 segment of your business is flourishing?

Here are their responses:

“IWe’ve seen a nice uptick in our retail business since April. Both April and May have been strong months residentially, with increased customer traffic and continued momentum heading into late spring. Probably the biggest increase we’ve seen, however, has been in the commercial market. We’re receiving a lot more requests in the Main Street segment.”

—Bob Pireu

Bob & Pete’s Floors

Canton, Ohio

“Spring has sprung, it seems. Residential replacement has been very strong in May. It’s always hard to pinpoint why, but the combination of the spring housing market activity and less noise from the Iran war are the likely contributors.”

—Adam Joss

The Vertical Connection Carpet One

Columbia, Md.

“Residential replacement seems to be doing the best right now. We believe a good relationship with designers has kept our residential business consistent. Builder business is still a bit slow although we are seeing some good jobs from the custom home builders.”

—Doug Peeples

Myers Flooring of Nashville

Nashville, Tenn.

“Main Street commercial is performing well this year. We have established a great reputation within our market because we are providing excellent value with great performing products and excellent installation professionals. We work very hard to make sure the correct products are being used on each unique project.”

—Jon Dauenhauer

Carpet World

Bismarck, N.D.

“We are currently up about 5% over last year. We have had some really good retail traffic, a good portion of which comes from all the social media posts we do. Commercial work is good; we have had a lot of work in the pipeline and been able to close out some of that.”

—Penny Carnino

Grigsby’s Carpet, Tile & Hardwood

Tulsa, Okla.

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Housing affordability improved in Q1

Washington, D.C.—Housing affordability improved modestly in the first quarter of 2026, but homeownership remained out of reach for millions of Americans, according to the latest National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index.

The index showed that a family earning the national median income of $106,800 needed 32% of its income to cover the mortgage payment on a median-priced new home. Low-income families, defined as those earning 50% of the median income, needed 65% of their earnings to pay for the same home.

The figures matched the purchase of existing homes. A typical family needed 32% of its income to buy a median-priced existing home. A low-income family needed 65%.

“While affordability for both new and existing homes saw modest improvement over the past year, home buyers continue to grapple with elevated mortgage rates and economic uncertainty while home builders are dealing with rising construction costs, excessive regulations and labor shortages,” said NAHB chairman Bill Owens, a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio. “Policymakers need to address these supply-side challenges to enable builders to increase the nation’s housing supply.”

NAHB chief economist Robert Dietz said affordability is moving in the right direction, but many families still face cost pressures. “The first quarter CHI data shows that far too many families remain cost-burdened even as housing affordability is slowly trending in the right direction,” he said. “A nationwide housing shortage of roughly 1.2 million units continues to exacerbate housing affordability challenges.”

Dietz said policymakers should focus on easing regulations, speeding permit approvals and supporting skilled labor training.

New and existing home prices converge

The price gap between new and existing homes has nearly disappeared.

In the first quarter, the median price for a new home was $403,200. The median price for an existing home was $404,300.

That marks a shift from the second quarter of 2025, when a median-priced existing home sold for 5% more than a new home. The gap narrowed over the next three quarters before reaching 0% in the first quarter of 2026.

NAHB attributed the change to builders shifting toward less expensive homes. Existing home sellers also lowered prices to attract buyers amid economic uncertainty.

The first-quarter median new home price fell slightly from $405,300 in the fourth quarter of 2025. The median existing home price dropped more sharply from $414,900.

The average 30-year mortgage rate also edged lower, falling from 6.32% in the fourth quarter to 6.20% in the first quarter.

Cost burdens remain widespread

The share of income needed to buy a new home fell from 34% in the fourth quarter to 32% in the first quarter. For low-income families, the share fell from 67% to 65%.

Affordability also improved for existing homes. The share of income needed to buy an existing home fell from 34% to 32% for a typical family. It fell from 69% to 65% for a low-income family.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines cost-burdened families as those who spend more than 30% of their income on housing. HUD defines severe cost burdens as spending more than 50%.

The index found that typical families were severely cost-burdened in seven of 175 markets in the first quarter. Another 59 markets were cost-burdened. In 109 markets, the cost of a mortgage was 30% of earnings or less.

Most cost-burdened markets

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif., ranked as the most severely cost-burdened market. A typical family there needed 79% of its income to make a mortgage payment on a median-priced existing home.

Other severely cost-burdened markets included:

• San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif.: 79%
• Urban Honolulu, Hawaii: 68%
• San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, Calif.: 65%
• San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif.: 63%
• Naples-Marco Island, Fla.: 58%

Low-income families in those five markets needed between 115% and 158% of their income to cover a mortgage payment.

Least cost-burdened markets

Decatur, Ill., ranked as the least cost-burdened market. A typical family there needed 12% of its income to pay for a mortgage on a median-priced existing home.

Other least cost-burdened markets included:

• Decatur, Ill.: 12%
• Peoria, Ill.: 15%
• Elmira, N.Y.: 16%
• Springfield, Ill.: 17%
• Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa-Ill.: 18%

Low-income families in those markets needed between 25% and 37% of their income to cover the mortgage payment on a median-priced existing home.

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Wonder Porcelain unveils trend-forward tile collections

Lebanon, Tenn.—Wonder Porcelain has unveiled a portfolio of porcelain tile collections inspired by French oak, natural limestone and urban cement.

The new lines blend high-demand design trends with domestic reliability. Wonder Porcelain manufactures the collections at its Lebanon, Tenn., facility.

“Wonder Porcelain is constantly analyzing the pulse of the industry, always looking for what’s on trend for the North American marketplace,” said Dave Godlewski, vice president of sales and marketing at Wonder Porcelain. “We are delivering refined, versatile porcelain surfaces that honor ancient architecture and natural elements.”

The collections give customers premium, high-performance surfacing options with the strength of a U.S.-made product.

Silvanus Collection

The Silvanus Collection draws inspiration from the timeless look of French oak. The collection ranges from warm honey to gentle taupe. It captures the soft grain, subtle knots and tonal variation of natural wood.

Wonder Porcelain’s Sinking Ink Technology creates a tactile texture that aligns with the visual graphic. The result gives the surface added depth and dimension.

Silvanus comes in a geometric 24 x 24 parquet-style pattern. It coordinates with contemporary wood planks while offering the durability of porcelain.

Valora Collection

The Valora Collection takes its name from Latin roots for strength and beauty. The line translates the quiet look of natural limestone into a high-performance Colorbody Porcelain tile.

Valora features an authentic graphic and understated surface texture. The design creates a calm foundation for timeless interiors.

Wonder Porcelain offers Valora in a matte finish across three modular sizes: 12 x 24, 24 x 24 and 24 x 48. The collection comes in two nature-inspired tones, Dune Beige and Horizon Grey.

Cemento Couture Collection

Cemento Couture blends the raw beauty of cement with the refined texture of natural stone. The collection targets modern architectural projects that call for an industrial but polished look.

The line features three tones: Sand, Smoke and Atmosphere. Each tone creates a clean canvas for depth and dimension.

Wonder Porcelain offers Cemento Couture in matte and Lappato finishes. The series comes in 12 x 24, 24 x 24 and 24 x 48 field tiles. It also includes 4-inch hex and 2 x 2 mosaics.

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Moldings, accessories made to match

Manufacturers are doing double-duty these days, offering moldings and accessories that not only complement the floor but also flow seamlessly from one room to the next.

Accessories such as moldings, trim and stair nosing play an increasingly key role in elevating the entire look and feel of an interior that completes the flooring project.

Following are some new offerings making an impact.

Engineered Floors/Xcessories

The Engineered Floors Xcessories line offers 100% waterproof stair treads designed to perfectly coordinate with all of the company’s PureGrain rigid core collections (High-Def, Comfort, Renew and Endure).

Featuring a modern square nose profile, these treads deliver a clean, seamless finish for hard surface staircases. They are sold in two packs, with standard dimensions measuring 12 x 50. Built for durability and ease of installation, they can be glued down over new or existing wood treads.

Artistic Finishes

Solid Wood T-Moldings from Artistic Finishes feature expertly prefinished designs crafted to blend seamlessly with today’s most popular flooring styles. With dozens of species available and made-to-order precision, Artistic Finishes delivers durable, high-quality transition solutions that elevate the finished look of every flooring installation.

i4F

i4F Stair Tread technologies solve one of the flooring industry’s biggest challenges by enabling stairs to perfectly align with any floor using the same material, décor, texture and height. Suitable for SPC, LVT, WPC, laminate and wood, the technologies create seamless floor-to-stair integration, including top steps and landings. Available in both L-shaped and U-shaped constructions to suit all stair types, i4F Stair Tread solutions are water-resistant and engineered for safety, durability and fast installation. i4F solutions simplify installation and are designed to fit without trimming the nose—and without structural staircase changes.

Küberit

Designed for projects that demand more than straight lines, Küberit Bendable Profiles bring precision and flexibility to curved flooring applications from flowing transitions and sweeping staircases to custom inlays and refined architectural details. Küberit technology allows profiles to be formed on-site with accuracy and consistency. Available across multiple profile categories in aluminum, anodized aluminum and powder coated aluminum finishes, Küberit Bendable Profiles give architects and designers the freedom to create seamless spaces where every detail is made to match.

MP Global

QuietBoard helps raise the finished floor height, creating smoother and more even transitions from room to room. This is important when replacing carpets and thicker flooring with slimmer profile flooring like vinyl planks. This means fewer noticeable height differences between flooring surfaces, reducing the need for oversized transition strips and improving the overall finished appearance. QuietBoard is made from 100% recycled materials into a sheet good that can also help create a safer, more comfortable walking surface while giving installations a cleaner, more professional look.

Leggett & Platt

Make-A-Wish Strength by Leggett & Platt is a synthetic rubber crack isolation membrane that provides superior acoustical performance for all types of hard surface flooring—including ceramic and porcelain tile. The extreme density makes it one of the most versatile underlayments in the market. Make-A-Wish Strength helps to significantly reduce unwanted noise within the home while supporting the floor for the life of the installation.

Leggett & Platt will donate $0.01 to Make-A-Wish for every square foot ($0.09/sq. yd.) of Make-A-Wish-branded carpet cushion and underlayment sold with a minimum annual donation of $100,000.

TotalWorx

Engineered with the patented Straight Edge Grout Line, TotalWorx’s Trim Elite delivers a clean, professional finish while helping protect against chips and breakage. Its proprietary design features up to 23% more metal in the face of the profile, enhancing durability without compromising a streamlined look for hard surface installations.

Unilin

Unilin Technologies stairnose is produced directly from the original flooring plank, preserving the identical design, texture, wear layer and click system. A key innovation is the integrated structural insert at the bending point, providing strength where traditional solutions often leave unsupported areas. This ensures superior durability in high-impact areas while reducing adhesive use and costs.

Performance Accessories

Performance Accessories helps meet installation demands with a suite of stair solutions designed to perfectly coordinate with flooring installations. From TrueMatch flush stair nose with its exact color and texture match to full stair treads, each product is designed to be a perfect fit with vinyl and laminate flooring.

Ventiques

Ventique Flush Mount Vents are the ideal flooring accessories for the way they disappear into the floor—in the best way. The flush mount profile sits level with the flooring surface, creating a seamless, designer-grade look. Instead of a bulky metal grate interrupting the pattern, the vent becomes part of the floor. This is especially valuable with LVP patterns that mimic long planks, wide-plank hardwood and tile layouts where clean lines matter.

Versatrim

SlimTrim 3-in-1 molding from Versatrim delivers the versatility today’s flooring customers demand and the efficiency retailers value. Designed to work as a reducer, T-molding and end cap in one sleek profile, SlimTrim eliminates the need for multiple moldings while simplifying product selection and installation. It adapts to a wide range of projects with professional-grade results.

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Retailers cite must-have flooring brands

With a challenging housing market putting a crimp on residential retail foot traffic these days, many flooring retailers have found salvation in Main Street opportunities as that sector continues to flourish—especially in the LVT and carpet segments.

To leverage that market opportunity, several flooring suppliers have created brands and programs specifically for Main Street. Following is a snapshot of some recent offerings and what retailers had to say:

Pentz Commercial: Podcast

About the product: Podcast by Pentz Commercial is a versatile, high-performance commercial flooring collection available in both modular carpet tile and broadloom formats, featuring a modern geometric pattern in new, updated colorways for the Main Street segment.

What retailers had to say:

“Designed for both commercial and residential spaces, these premium carpet tiles combine functionality with aesthetic appeal. Whether you’re updating a bustling office, creating a cozy living area or outfitting a retail space, Pentz Podcast carpet tiles are the ultimate flooring choice.”

—Brian Osborne, Floor City

Aladdin: BigPopof Color

About the product: Big Pop of Color pushes carpet tile innovation forward through its blend of nylon and PET yarns—an unexpected pairing that delivers enhanced texture, visual dimension and high-performance durability in one design solution.

What retailers had to say:

“We recently installed Big Pop of Color for a customer opening a Mahjong game room. They were looking for a floor with significant visual ‘pop’ to complement their gaming tables. They were very impressed by the numerous layout options available.”

—Richard Mathews, Flooring Source

Philadelphia Commercial: DuoScape

About the product: DuoScape blends broad market appeal with the fluid beauty of organic structure. Engineered for performance, Duo- Scape pairs EcoSolution Q Nylon with StrataWorx backing in the carpet tile for a balance of durability, style and value.

What retailers had to say:

“DuoScape is offered in a durable carpet tile and a broadloom carpet that gives our customers many options. This product offers structured patterns that can enhance many professional spaces. I personally love the available accent colors that can offer unlimited vibrant designs.”

—Mark Arnold, Carpet Selections

Karndean: LooseLay

About the product: The Karndean LooseLay collection offers more than 40 wood- and stone-inspired luxury vinyl designs. The K-Wave friction-grip backing holds the flooring in place, so LooseLay can be installed with or without a full adhesive spread.

What retailers had to say:

“The Karndean LooseLay product has become a very large and popular part of our overall LVP business. The quality of material has been very consistent and inventory levels are always strong. The newer patterns are on trend and are well liked by our designers and consumers.”

—Bill Huss, D&M Interiors

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NWFA completes 87th Gary Sinise Foundation home

St. Louis, Mo.—The National Wood Flooring Association has provided flooring for its 87th home in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program.

The R.I.S.E. program builds mortgage-free, custom, specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders.

The home dedication for U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jason Pacheco took place April 16 in Fallbrook, Calif. NWFA member DuChateau donated the flooring for the project.

Service and resilience

Pacheco joined the Marines after graduation with his sights set on the infantry. He had a gift for shooting and earned a spot at Advanced Urban Sniper School.

He graduated at the top of his class. In May 2010, he deployed to Afghanistan as a corporal and scout sniper team leader.

Three months after Pacheco arrived in Afghanistan, Taliban soldiers pinned him down during a four-hour firefight. After the battle, he went out to conduct a battle damage assessment when an IED detonated.

The blast caused a traumatic brain injury, a leg amputation below the knee, a femur fracture, a pinky amputation and blown eardrums.

“After three months of physical therapy, Sergeant Pacheco learned to walk,” said Stephanie Owen, NWFA president and CEO. “After six months, he learned to run. And just a few months after that, he became one of the first three Marine Corps amputees to return to a combat zone on full duty. His dedication to his team and his country is remarkable and we’re honored to partner with DuChateau to provide beautiful real wood floors for his new home.”

NWFA has completed 86 homes through the program. It is working with members to supply wood flooring for 13 additional homes in various stages of planning and construction. A total of 163 NWFA member companies have donated product, logistics and installation services across the United States. Those contributions exceed $7 million in value.

A list of participating companies is available at nwfa.org/giving-back.

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