“Consumer preferences are shifting away from carpets and rugs toward decorative tile, according to Reportlinker. The market research forecasts that the US demand for decorative tile will increase 4.4% per year to 3.3 billion square feet in 2013.

The demand is dominated by flooring applications, which accounted for 80% of total tile demand in 2008. Flooring demand for tile is expected to increase 4.5% annually through 2013 to 2.7 billion square feet. Increased sales of porcelain, natural-stone, glass and other specialty-tile products is expected, and residential construction is projected to generate the most rapid gains in tile demand.”