According to Catalina Research, U.S. floor coverings manufacturer sales (shipments minus exports plus imports) rose 7.5% in 2022 to $37.6 billion, despite a sluggish second half. At $1.2 billion, laminate flooring accounted for 3.2% of the overall market and hardwood flooring, at $4.56 billion, accounted for 12.1%.

In a separate survey of the hardwood sector, manufacturer members of the National Wood Flooring Association say they remain cautiously optimistic heading into 2024 despite the continuing shadow of rising interest rates and inflation. According to the annual NWFA Industry Outlook survey, 21% of respondents said they expect sales to be up significantly, 41% up somewhat, and 24% about the same, with 4% forecasting a slight downturn, and 10% a drop in sales of 8% or higher. Most of the opportunity will be in new construction versus remodeling.

When it comes to styles and overall type, the 2024 outlook calls for an increased demand for natural wood colors and matte sheen finishes, wider planks, longer boards, increased use of engineered wood and factory-finished products.

Click on the infographic to enlarge. Find more market data in the December 2023 FDMC Wood Industry Almanac.

Quick Stats (Includes items not shown in print.)
• 2022 worldwide sales by members of the European Producers of Laminate Flooring were 367.2 million m², down 24.05% from 2021, mainly due to the war in Ukraine.  Western Europe accounted for 49% with sales of 179.0 million m² sold, while North America was at 37.3 million m².

• Research and Markets projects the global wood and laminate flooring market to reach $101.31 billion USD by 2030, growing at 5.8% CAGR, from $64.72 billion in 2022.

• Although roughly one-third of consumers “shopped” online, according to research by TraQline (Home Improvement Research Institute), 81% of U.S. consumers purchased their flooring in-store, 9% online and 10% “other.” Similarly, in Canada, 82% of purchases were in-store, 9% online and 9% “other.”

• Made from wood fiber from harvested forests, laminate flooring products are climate positive, with durable surface designs. Performance standards include NALFA ANSI Product, NALFA ANSI Sustainability and NALFA ANSI Underlayment.

• Large format and plank top the list for popular kitchen flooring style trends, both at 63%, followed by patterned/geometric (33%), square (10%) and pebble/stone (6%), according to the NKBA/KBIS 2024 Kitchen Trends report.

Market Data Sources: Catalina Research, Floor Covering Weekly, National Wood Flooring Assn. (NWFA), Hardwood Floors magazine, TraQline, Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI), European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF), North American Laminate Flooring Assn. (NALFA), Research and Markets, National Kitchen & Bath Assn. (NKBA). Category: Flooring: hardwood flooring, laminate/engineered flooring, plank, parquet.

More data on North American woodworking and the specific wood product market segments can be found in the December 2023 FDMC Wood Industry Almanac. Also, find market data year-round at WoodworkingNetwork.com/news/almanac-market-data.