CEO of Luxury Furniture Brand Brings No. 1 Flooring Brand To Miami Beach

Published On: October 29th, 2024Categories: Featured, Franchisee Stories, Press Releases

This article was originally published in Patch on October 29, 2024. (Miami Beach, FL)– Floor Coverings International of Miami Beach is led by the dynamic and visionary entrepreneur, and Miami resident, Manuel Barrantes. The beautiful mobile showroom comes to your door with more than 3000 flooring options and is set to revolutionize the flooring industry in South Florida. The business is serving South Miami Beach, Aventura, Sunny Isles, North Miami, Miramar/Pembroke Pines, North Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Fisher Island, Miami Shores.

Manuel Barrantes, at the age of 41, brings over a decade of experience as the CEO of a Luxury Furniture Retail Brand in Mexico. His expertise in team building and leadership is the cornerstone of his venture, promising unparalleled service, and quality in home improvement.

Despite the competitive market, Barrantes’ unique approach focuses on quality service over price wars, ensuring a superior flooring experience for every customer.

Reflecting on his journey, Barrantes shares, “The transition from a corporate leader to a business owner has been both challenging and exhilarating. The opportunity to create a business that prioritizes customer satisfaction and quality service is what inspired me to join Floor Coverings International.”

Barrantes’ advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to understand the market, plan strategically, build a formidable team, and always prioritize exceptional customer service.

“The growing trend of investing in home improvements just continues,” said Barrantes, “in our area people are investing heavily into their existing homes more than they are selling them. A floor adds a lot of value to a remodel.”

“According to a recent study conducted by the National Association of Realtors®, 90% of homeowners who upgrade to hardwood floors have a greater desire to be home and 77% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are home. Additionally, the same study showed that refinishing hardwood floors yielded 147% cost recovery, and installing new wood floors yielded 118% cost recovery in terms of the increased resale value as compared to the cost of the project.”1

With Floor Coverings International having already revolutionized the market, the flooring industry is undergoing significant changes and innovations as well, as consumers demand more quality, variety, and sustainability in their flooring choices. Current market conditions are also factoring into when and why consumers decide to invest in new flooring. According to U.S. Bank, the housing market continues to be strongly affected by elevated interest rates.

Higher rates, combined with rising home values, means housing is now a much costlier expense for potential buyers than was the case only a few years ago, it reported. As a result, people might be choosing to stay in their current homes and remodel, rather than move.

The big flooring favorites throughout the system? Pet-and kid-friendly floors that clean up with one mopping and look like genuine wood. Favorites in the Florida market include:

  • Sustainable Materials: Homeowners are turning to laminate flooring crafted from eco-friendly materials such as recycled wood fibers.
  • Authentic Wood Look: The demand for realistic-looking wood floors continues to soar.
  • Waterproof Performance: Given recent erratic weather conditions, waterproof laminate floors are hot!
  • Vinyl Flooring: As technology advances, vinyl flooring gets close to natural wood and stone looks that are easily cleaned with a damp mop.
  • Carpet: There are still die-hard carpet lovers because of the feeling and look of cozy and warm. Not so much shag. More flat piles, textures and patterned looks are available.
  • Engineered Hardwood Flooring: This is the best luxury flooring offering real wood veneers with remarkably high quality and detail.

Barrantes added, “Due to Miami’s warm climate, porcelain and ceramic tiles are popular for their durability, ease of maintenance, and ability to stay cool underfoot. LVP (Luxury vinyl plank) and LVT (Luxury vinyl tile) are highly popular in Miami for their versatility, durability, and water resistance. They mimic the look of hardwood or stone flooring but are more affordable and easier to maintain, making them ideal for Miami’s humid climate and high-traffic areas.

Reflecting the city’s coastal vibe, lighter and whitewashed flooring options are in demand. These colors not only enhance the sense of space but also create a bright and airy atmosphere, which is ideal for Miami’s sunny climate. These trends reflect Miami’s diverse architectural styles, climate considerations, and the desire for both functionality and aesthetic appeal in flooring choices.”

Visit https://floorcoveringsinternational.com/locations/us/fl/miami-beach/ or call (786) 418-4175 for more information.