The U.S. flooring market in 2025: sales, tariffs and the consolidation of ceramic tile
Tile Wars · markets · · Tile Wars
The U.S. flooring market closed 2025 with a third consecutive year of contraction, yet hard surfaces — led by ceramic tile — keep gaining share from carpet.
The U.S. flooring market closed 2025 with its third consecutive year of contraction, weighed down by high mortgage rates (above 6.5% for most of the year), rising home prices and the uncertainty created by tariff policy. Yet the report by Catalina Research, published by Floor Covering Weekly, reveals a clear dynamic: hard surfaces, led by ceramic tile, keep gaining ground on soft floor coverings.
Overall market picture In 2025, total U.S. floor covering manufacturers' sales (domestic shipments minus exports plus imports) reached $30.9 billion, a modest decline of 0.1% in value and 1.3% in volume, at 25.3 billion square feet (2,350.45 million m²). These figures reflect the gradual cooling from the record high of 2022, when the industry reached $35.4 billion and 2,406.19 million m². Notably, the impact of the contraction in dollar terms was artificially cushioned by $680 million in additional tariff charges on flooring imports. Without that fiscal factor, dollar sales would have fallen 2.3%. Those tariffs pushed average manufacturer selling prices up at the fastest pace since 2022.
Segment breakdown: the strength of hard surfaces While soft products suffered widespread share losses, hard surfaces — ceramic tile, porcelain, wood and LVT — proved more resilient. Soft surfaces (carpet and area rugs): sales of $11.5 billion (-1.9% vs 2024) and volume of 984.77 million m² (-2.2%). Share fell to 37.3% in value and 42.1% in area, with an average price of $1.08/sq. ft. ($11.63/m²). Hard surfaces (tile, ceramic, LVT, wood): value growth of +1.1% and a minimal -0.6% volume adjustment, with an average price of $1.33/sq. ft. ($14.32/m²).
Ceramic tile: resilience and technical preference Durability and hygiene. Against the fast depreciation and replacement cycle of traditional broadloom — whose area share fell to 18.8%, far from the 45.7% it held in 2007 — tile and porcelain stand out for long service life, easy maintenance and suitability for varied climates. High-end residential remodeling. Purchases of new homes above $1 million grew 18.9% in 2025, driving investment in high value-added materials. Large-format tile and high-definition ceramic finishes have been key in wet areas, outdoor spaces and integrated interiors.
Demand channels Residential / remodeling (DIY and contractors): end consumers were cautious given high rates and lower housing turnover; in the projects that went ahead, replacing carpet with hard flooring was the priority. New construction: one of the bright spots of the year, with a 1.8% increase in flooring spending. Commercial and institutional (Main Street): demand held up in hospitality, retail and healthcare, where the hygienic properties and traffic resistance of ceramic tile are irreplaceable.
Market at a glance (2025) Total U.S. volume: 25.3 billion sq. ft. (2,350.45 M m²) — -1.3% Total U.S. sales: $30.9 billion — -0.1% (-2.3% excluding tariffs) Soft surface volume: 10.6 billion sq. ft. (984.77 M m²) — -2.2% Soft surface sales: $11.5 billion — -1.9% Average soft surface price: $1.08/sq. ft. ($11.63/m²) Average hard surface price: $1.33/sq. ft. ($14.32/m²)
Outlook for the ceramic industry Despite the complex macroeconomic environment and higher import prices driven by tariffs, the tile and ceramic sector is well positioned for recovery. The steady decline of traditional carpet and the consolidation of hard surfaces show that U.S. consumers increasingly value the design, sustainability and permanence of ceramic products. The gradual easing of interest rates expected in coming periods should release pent-up demand in residential remodeling, where tile will remain a leading player.