Tariffs – they are changing almost every day. The latest update is very steep tariffs on imports from China and much lower tariffs on other countries. How does that affect the flooring industry?
As of today, nothing in our showroom has gone up. A few manufacturers have announced price increases in May. It’s impossible to predict what is going to happen over the coming month or so, but here’s our best guess:
Carpet
The majority of carpet is made in the USA. That means no tariffs on most of the carpet in our store. There are some higher end carpets (for example Stanton and Nourison) that are imported, and most wool carpet is imported. We believe we will start seeing increases on some products over the coming weeks.
Hardwood Floors
There are several well-known brands of hardwood floors that are produced in America (for example, Somerset) and will not be impacted by tariffs. However, quite a bit of prefinished hardwoods floors is imported. Price increases are expected. Some engineered hardwoods may be excluded from tariffs, but this is still being determined.
Laminate Floors
A lot of laminate floors are made in the USA, particularly Mohawk RevWood, Karastan, and Pergo. We don’t expect to see tariffs on most laminates.
Luxury Vinyl Plank/Tile
These floors are the most vulnerable to tariff related price increases. Most is imported from Asia: Vietnam, China, and South Korea. There are some products made in America, but the vast majority is imported and therefore will be subject to tariffs.
Ceramic and Porcelain Tile
A high percentage of tile is imported from countries like Italy, Mexico, and Brazil. We expect to start seeing price increases that are related to tariffs.
Countertops
Most countertop material (natural stone and quartz) will be subject to U.S. tariffs, particularly those imported from China.
Area Rugs
This is another product category very vulnerable to tariffs. A large percentage of hand loomed area rugs are made in Turkey, India, Egypt, China, and Belgium. However, many machine-made rugs are made in the USA. Expect to see rug prices rise over the coming months.
So, what do you do if you need new floors? First, don’t panic. There are a lot of imported products that are in stock and available and will not be subject to tariffs. There are categories of flooring that are made here (carpet, laminate, some hardwood floors) that will not be going up. Because everything is in such flux, as of today, very few of the major flooring manufacturers have announced price increases.
Chinese imports are the most impacted by tariffs and the tariffs on Chinese products seem to be the most definite to hold. Fortunately, most flooring manufacturers began moving away from China during and after COVID. In fact, Mannington Mills (manufacturer of LVP/LVT, laminates, and prefinished hardwoods) recently issued a press release reminding everyone that they have no products coming out of China.
If you're not ready to make a purchase now, don't panic. You should always make sure that a purchase is a good fit for your budget. It's also unknown at this time how long the tariffs might be in effect.
That being said, if you need a new floor now, you may not want to wait, because we don't see prices going down.
How Much Does It Cost?
As always, your Enhance Design Consultant will help you find the right product for you at the best possible price. We can steer you toward products that are made in the USA if you'd like us to.
Please be aware that we are expiring some of our estimates in 10 days and not the usual 30 days so that we can be confident in the prices we are quoting you.
Did You Know
That we offer interest free financing? That’s right, in these days of interest rates climbing higher and higher, there is still 0% interest financing available for balances paid in full within 6 or 12 months*.
We will also be offering 24 Month Interest Free Financing during National Karastan Month (April 18 thru June 2, 2025) on purchases of Karastan carpet, laminate, wood, and LVP/LVT.* Don’t miss out – this offer only comes around a couple of times a year!
*With approved credit. See store for details.
What's New At Enhance
Pergo has just introduced new laminate styles in today’s most popular colors. Some of our favorites are Kallan Point and Norella Veil. We love the texture and the subtle shading of these beautiful floors – nothing too busy! You will love the scratch resistance and the stain and fade warranty. Pergo has been the leader in laminate flooring for over 30 years. And did we mention Pergo is made in America? No tariff price increases to worry about!
Design Tip
The yellow pollen is slowly going away, warmer temperatures are here, and we are now ready to begin enjoying the outdoors. Outdoor living rooms are redefining how people use their patios and decks. These spaces feature plush seating, area rugs, and weatherproof textiles, creating an environment that feels like an extension of indoor living.
The goal is to make outdoor areas as comfortable and inviting as possible. Adding a fire bowl and overhead coverings enhances the usability of these spaces in various weather conditions. A water feature or fire table adds ambiance. It’s time to get out there!
