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Sector: flooring
Market Overview: The flooring sector includes all types of flooring used in single- and multifamily residential, light commercial, and MUSH (Municipal, University, School, and Hospital) applications. Flooring products are specialized for different types of settings - for example, manufacturers produce roll carpet for residential settings but produce modular carpet tiles for commercial/MUSH applications.
Many types of flooring are manufactured throughout the U.S. The industry is led by a few large companies that produce diverse product lines for many different applications – Shaw Industries Group, Mannington Mills, and Mohawk Industries. Products they manufacture include vinyl or resilient flooring, which leads the industry in popularity due to its affordability, ease of cleaning, and versatility. Carpet is the second most prevalent, with most manufacturing happening in the southeastern U.S., especially northwest Georgia. Hardwood and tile flooring are also widely used in both residential and commercial applications and made around the country. Smaller U.S. based companies manufacture a diverse range of high traffic or specialized flooring products for commercial/MUSH buildings including terrazzo, athletic flooring, and epoxy flooring.
Hazardous chemicals used in the manufacturing or installation of flooring products can negatively impact the health of those using or working with them. Pressure to reduce or remove chemicals from flooring products has led manufacturers to make products that are healthier and more sustainable. Third party product certifications, many of which are specific to flooring materials, help buyers identify alternatives (see Choosing and Installing Healthier Flooring). Because of this all manufacturers collected in this sector make flooring products that carry these certifications and/or transparency labels related to chemical content and health impacts. There are several healthier alternatives to common flooring types including linoleum, bamboo and cork, but they are more widely used overseas and mostly not made in the U.S.