How are Advanced Flooring Wood Panels Transforming Residential and Commercial Spaces?

In the past few years, wood flooring has emerged as a popular choice for both residential and commercial spaces. Wood is a versatile flooring material that comes in a number of styles, colors, and species. Primarily, there are two types of flooring wood, which include solid wood and engineered wood. Solid wood flooring panels are made from solid, wide planks of hardwood and offer greater durability. On the other hand, engineered wood flooring involves a top layer of wood over a subfloor. This type of wood panel is slightly cheaper than solid wood flooring, providing better resistance against moisture and humidity resistance capacity than solid hardwood.  

Diverse types of flooring wood panels creating wider opportunities across the sector 

The flooring wood panels industry has experienced prominent growth due to the easy installation of wood panels and attractive wood grain patterns that add an extra element of warmth and richness to the interiors. According to Allied Market Research, the industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2024 to 2033. Laminate flooring has become an ideal choice among modern age individuals. This type of flooring is manufactured by fusing multiple layers, which include HDF core, a moisture resistant bottom layer, and a photographic image of real wood with a protective overlay. It offers the look of real wood and provides easy maintenance. However, the main drawback of laminate wood flooring is that it has a limited lifespan and swells when exposed to moisture.   

On the other hand, solid hardwood flooring panels are made with a single piece of wood with a thickness of 18mm and 20 mm. These types of panels give a classic appeal and are periodically sanded and polished to restore their original look. One of the major drawbacks of this type of panel wood flooring is that it is expensive and has a tendency to swell in moist conditions. Some of the most popular types of wood that are used for hardwood flooring include oak, cherry, maple, cherry, and mahogany.  

Furthermore, composite wood flooring has emerged as a durable flooring alternative and offers significant moisture resistance & scratch resistance capabilities. This flooring wood panel is factory-manufactured with chemical binders and protective surface coatings. Another advantage of this type of flooring is that it has a top layer of real wood veneer and can be polished periodically to maintain its look. It is a cheaper alternative to solid hardwood flooring as it is comparatively cheaper and easier to maintain.  

In addition, bamboo flooring has gained wide recognition these days due to its sustainable nature. Bamboo floor planks are manufactured by compressing bamboo fibers under high temperature and pressure. This material offers a natural shield to moisture and inhibits the growth of mold & mildew.  

US LBM acquired API to expand its portfolio of structural building components 

In July 2024, US LBM, a leading distributor of specialty building materials in the U.S., acquired Automated Products Inc. (API), a renowned supplier of structural building components in Wisconsin, US. Through this acquisition, API supported US LBM’s vision to promote innovation and utilize modern technologies to deliver superior value for residential and commercial builders throughout Wisconsin and the upper Midwest with advanced wood flooring solutions. According to L.T. Gibson, the CEO and president of US LBM, this agreement expanded the company’s structural component manufacturing capabilities and enhanced its support for customers across the midwest region of the US.  

Endnote 

Continuous innovations in wood flooring boost the growth of the industry. The rise in penetration of engineered, composite, and bamboo flooring has significantly offers durable, affordable, and eco-friendly flooring solutions. Furthermore, the active contribution of industry players in developing cutting-edge flooring solutions caters to evolving residential and commercial needs globally.