Today's Flooring News

Import Prices Flat, Export Prices Down in July

Washington, DC, August 14, 2018—Prices for U.S. imports recorded no change in July, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported, after edging down 0.1% in June.

Moench Tufting Apparatus Earns Historical Landmark Designation

Dalton, GA, August 14, 2018--The original Moench tufting apparatus, located in a gallery of significant industry artifacts at Shaw’s Dalton, Georgia, headquarters, was designated as a historic mechanical engineering landmark due to the mechanization and speed it brought to the early fabric tufting process.

Mohawk Unveils Comml. Flooring Adhesive with No Moisture Limits

Calhoun, GA, August 14, 2018—Mohawk Group now offers a patented waterproof flooring installation system with the addition of Aquaflex M100Plus. Aquaflex is a simple, cost-effective system of products developed specifically for commercial customers designing, upgrading or repairing installations based on concrete subfloors.

Jeremy Whipple Named VP of Commercial Business Dev. for Novalis

Toronto, ON, August 13, 2018—Novalis Innovative Flooring announced that industry veteran Jeremy Whipple has joined its North American operations as vice president of commercial business development.

Home Prices Rose 6.8% YOY in June, Says CoreLogic

Irvine, CA, August 13, 2018—Home prices increased nationally by 6.8% year over year from June 2017 to June 2018, according to the CoreLogic Home Price Index. On a month-over-month basis, prices increased by 0.7% in June 2018 compared with May 2018.

Construction Costs Flat in July

Arlington, VA, August 13, 2018-Prices for goods and services used in construction costs were unchanged overall from June to July, but months of steep increases over the past year have squeezed the profits of contractors, whose bid prices have not matched the cost shocks, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new Labor Department data.

CTEF Now Provides Alphabetical Listing of Certified Tile Installers

Pendleton, SC, August 13, 2018—The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF), which provides education and installer certification for professionals working in the ceramic tile and stone industry, has developed an alphabetical listing of Certified Tile Installers on its website.

Economists Boost Near Term Projections

New York, NY, August 10, 2018—Economists are raising 2018 growth projections after a strong second quarter, but disputes with U.S. trading partners, a fading boost from fiscal stimulus and rising short-term interest rates lead many to believe the boom won’t last much beyond that, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Housing Affordability Hits 10-Year Low in Second Quarter 2018

Washington, D.C., August 10, 2018—Rising home prices and interest rates pushed housing affordability to a 10-year low in the second quarter of 2018, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI).

Existing Single-Family Home Prices Up 5.3%

Washington, DC, August 9, 2018—According to the latest quarterly report by the National Association of Realtors, the national median existing single-family home price in the second quarter was $269,000.