SURFACES is dedicated to providing the floor covering industry with the latest happenings in product, manufacturing and installation news as well as general economy and housing news. This is your 365 day a year direct access to the news that is affecting your business today and in the future. Read the latest industry news from some of the leading publications and hear directly from some of the floor covering industry's leading experts on the brand new SURFACES Blog.  They share their insights as to where they think the industry is headed as well as give advice as to how you can grow your business and succeed in today's economy.




Flooring Dealers Aim to Build Market Share in 2010
While it may not be as large as the International Builders' Show that was held only two weeks ago, SURFACES, the show about all things floor related, kicks off its annual convention today in Las Vegas at the Sands Expo and Convention Center. more>>

SURFACES 2010: Flooring Industry Tries to Sustain Itself During Downturn
While it may not be as large as the International Builders' Show that was held only two weeks ago, SURFACES, the show about all things floor related, kicks off its annual convention today in Las Vegas at the Sands Expo and Convention Center. more>>

The Healthiest Housing Markets for 2009
With most economists and builders expecting a national market decline this year, this may not seem like the best time to be selecting the "healthiest" markets in the country. Virtually every market was down last year. But a close look at the numbers reveals that some markets have way outperformed others during the last four years...more>>

Top 10 Best-Selling Consumer House Plans

Builders know from sales history which of their homes buyers prefer. They can access databases to find out which of their competitors’ homes buyers prefer. But that kind of analysis only reveals what buyers may choose from what’s available. more>>

Revealed: The Top 10 Builders for 2008
2008 was, to say the least, a tumultuous year for the nation’s top 10 builders. Nearly all of them reported a steady stream of record-breaking losses, as the home building market went from bad to worse. The Census Bureau reported that new home sales fell 38 percent last year. Our survey reveals that sales among the top 10 builders declined by a nearly identical amount. more>>

10 Things You Must Put in Your Next House
Americans love getting a deal, which might begin to explain why so many consumers flock to shopping malls on Black Friday. Of course, they aren't always ending up with a real bargain, but sometimes this doesn't matter. As long as an item or service has a high perceived value to people, more>>

Healthiest Housing Markets 2009: Fall Update
Much has changed since February, when we published our first list of the healthiest housing markets for 2009. more>>

10 of the Best-Selling Communities in America
The best-selling projects profiled on the following pages are like the results of a scientific experiment. What if you subjected the housing market to the worst possible conditions? What would people buy even if they were worried about job prospects, concerned about falling home prices, and couldn’t be sure economic conditions would improve? more>>



"Beaulieu Cares" Committee Nears Goal for 2009. They keep local Red Cross Food Pantry Stocked Year-Round
(Dalton, GA) October 29, 2009 - For most people, the urge to be charitable strikes about this time of year. However, for hundreds of Beaulieu of America associates, it’s a year-round passion. Eight years ago, a group of community-minded volunteers at...more>>

Karastan Focuses on Consumer Experience in New Web Site
(Dalton, GA) October 27, 2009 - The dynamic new Karastan.com Web site uses the latest technology and programs to create a Karastan brand experience for consumers—upscale, elegant, innovative and infinitely...more>>

Checking in with Steve Feldman - Distributors Sound Off
The last time we met (FCNews, Oct. 12/19), I randomly listed some thoughts on distributors’ minds that came out during networking breakouts at the annual meeting of the North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) in late September. Most dealt with...more>>

Remember When
Here’s a great photo, taken 38 years ago, marking the opening of the new headquarters building of the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI) in Dalton. At the podium officiating over the ribbon-cutting ceremony is...more>>

Almost 2,500 Dealers Sign on for Mirage Promotion
October 29, 2009 - Nearly 2,500 Mirage dealers across North America are taking part in the recently launched “Celebrate Quality with Mirage” event, running through March 1, 2010. The promotion features a contest where consumers can enter to win up to $10,000 in Mirage flooring. Additionally, consumers can get a $10 rebate on every box of flooring they purchase...more>>

Floor to Ceiling Debuts Kathy Ireland Cabinetry
October 29, 2009 - Preferred Brands Corp., parent to the Floor To Ceiling and World of Floors retail groups, has launched a new line of affordably priced custom cabinetry to be marketed nationwide under the Kathy Ireland HOME brand. The products will be sold exclusively through Floor To Ceiling and select Preferred Brands kitchen and bath dealers...more>>

Armstrong Gets Aggressive with Hardwood Assortment
October 28, 2009 - Armstrong has expanded its hardwood flooring assortment significantly in what the company calls its “most comprehensive hardwood launch ever.” The launch, which includes 126 new SKUs across 13 product collections, features traditional, hand-scraped and exotic/specialty visuals...more>>