Northport Flooring America’s new “Room to Explore” system lets you visualize flooring samples in your own home, and the new showroom is divided by color preference, rather than by manufacturer
By Kelli Comer
Step into Northport Flooring America’s showroom in Akron, and you can explore myriad materials presented in a vibrant spectrum of colors. This abundance of choice includes carpeting, hardwood, laminate, tile, and luxury vinyl tile (LVT), plus a new technological marvel that makes it easy to imagine each product and pattern in your own home.
In fact, you don’t have to imagine it. You can see it.
Unveiled in November, Northport Flooring America’s “Room to Explore” system is a major addition to the showroom’s offerings. The system integrates displays, inviting you on an interactive design journey through PXP (Picture Exchange Platform) stations that make it easy to visualize flooring samples using QR codes.
You can upload photos of your project space from your smartphone and superimpose flooring samples onto the image, creating a real-world rendering of how each material will look in your own home.
“It is a room visualizer, but on a grand scale,” says Steve Walbolt, co-owner of Northport Flooring America. “If you want to see how a particular floor would complement, say, the brick of your living room fireplace, you can just upload a picture from your smartphone, use the QR code, and there you have it—a realistic personalized preview.”
Beyond mere visualization, you can take your exploration a step further by assessing and analyzing the distinctive features of each flooring option with the touch of a button.
“It doesn’t just visualize; it also gives you all the technical specs, including widths, lengths, thicknesses, durability, warranties, etc.,” Steve says. “It’s all right there. You can put three samples in simultaneously, and the system will list each feature side by side. Then another tap will prompt a detailed explanation that goes into greater depth.”
A More Intuitive Selection Process
Like the Room to Explore system, the showroom also represents a profound shift in how the flooring selection process happens, with an emphasis on individual preferences.
Northport Flooring America reimagined its showroom, opting for a color-centric organization over the traditional grouping of materials by the product manufacturer. The shift allows customers to match flooring options with their personal preferences, making the selection process more intuitive and less overwhelming.
“It’s a game-changer,” says Derek Fay, co-owner of Northport Flooring America. “You can bring in a swatch of fabric, a piece of countertop, or a cabinet drawer you want to match, and then explore an entire range of options within that specific color family in a particular section of the showroom.”
And because The Room to Explore system is web-based, you can interact with Northport Flooring America’s catalog of samples from your smartphone, either remotely or while you are in the store.
Here to Help
“We constantly work to create the best experience for our customers, and our new showroom and new Room to Explore system deliver awesome capability that is really intuitive,” Steve says.
“But despite these advancements, our role remains unchanged. Our talented and trained staff are here to listen and ask essential questions: Do you have kids or pets? What is your day-to-day like? This information helps us recommend whether hardwood is suitable, if the luxury vinyl route is preferable, or if carpet will better capture the cozy feel they’re after. We guide you in the category that best suits your needs and ensures durability. We’re not here to push a particular product, but to offer recommendations at every step.”
Guaranteed Satisfaction
Northport leverages its extensive buying power through Flooring America, the world’s number one purchaser of flooring materials.
“Customers who buy from us can buy with confidence because they get personalized service from our dedicated team of flooring professionals and the best guarantee in the business,” Derek says. “Customers have 30 days to live with their new floor—if unsatisfied, we’ll replace it at no additional cost, no questions asked.” (See store for details.)
This robust guarantee represents a commitment to service that extends beyond the showroom floor, the warehouse and into the home. This arises from Northport seeking to understand its customers’ needs at every stage. It’s a continuum encapsulating the dedication of those who came before and those who followed.
Northport Flooring America invites you to explore the showroom at 661 Portage Trail Extension W in Akron. To speak to someone on your design journey, call 234-206-3792. Find inspiration at NorthportFlooring-America.com and stay up to date and on top of the trends by following @NorthportFlooringAmerica on Facebook.