tile ranks first in client satisfaction!

For more information contact:

Amy Zywot-Slagen

(518) 452-9694 ext. 314

January 5, 2005

Ceramic tile recently ranked first in client satisfaction, based on a report completed by Display & Design Ideas (DDI).

DDI is a national publication that assists retail designers with increasing revenue through facility and visual design by focusing on design strategies, product innovations and worldwide trends.

A third party, Equation Research, which surveyed the preferences of retailers and retail design firms, conducted research for the study. Based on user experience in the past three years, ceramic tile received the highest score of 86 based on a 20 to 100- point scale. According to the DDI study, product usage in the past three years directly correlates with future trends and purchases. The survey further indicated that the flooring industry, in particular, is rapidly moving toward new trends, including ceramic tile and green sustainable flooring materials.

Green products are those that support environmental friendliness as far as production and physical components. Designers within the industry are interested in durable, adaptable, low maintenance and inexpensive materials that require easy installation.

Amy Pressman with Pressman Design Studio in East Greenbush, NY indicated that "durability, slip resistance and natural appearing products" are the factors that influence her flooring specification decisions. "Porcelain tile is better than the real material from a maintenance standpoint."

According to the study, the top three factors influencing specification decisions for flooring are cost, maintenance and aesthetics, respectively, with 82 percent of respondents demonstrating that cost is the highest influencer. Many designers and facility management groups review the costs of products over time, such as maintenance and replacement costs, when choosing flooring.

"I think that we have been moving in the last few years towards a more natural look, reducing cost in terms of maintenance, including using larger scale tile," said Pressman, who also noted "there are a lot of products out there but if you cannot get it on time, it is worthless. You have to know that the people that are getting the product for you are doing everything they can."