LANCASTER, PA-Armstrong® and Bruce® brands were voted leaders in Builder magazine's 2011 Brand Use Study in multiple categories including vinyl flooring, laminate flooring and wood flooring.

Armstrong swept all fields in the laminate and vinyl categories, earning top honors in Brand Familiarity, Brands Used in Past 2 Years, Brands Used the Most, and Quality Rating. Bruce hardwood was the frontrunner in Brand Familiarity with an impressive 76%, and also led in Brands Used in Past 2 Years and Brands Used the Most.

According to Builder publisher Warren Nesbitt, Armstrong has earned the top position in the builder survey for several years. “The Armstrong brand, as well as its products, is well-known and highly-regarded among the builders we have surveyed over the past 20 years.”

Builder magazine’s Brand Use Study is the largest study of its kind in the residential construction market and has become a staple for educating builders about products and brands. “To the extent that Armstrong has done so well in this study over time, I can only guess Armstrong’s leadership position is one that is envied by other brands in the flooring category, and even perhaps by brands in other product categories. It’s impressive, and it matters to our 100,000-plus readers who link brand leadership with product performance and value to homebuilders,” said Nesbitt.

“How often do you get an independent research company to proclaim that your brands are the leaders among all of your competitors, particularly in so many categories,” said Kevin Biedermann, senior vice president, Residential Armstrong Floor Products. “We work hard to be a brand that all our customers can trust, and we strive to attain a high level of product quality and service. We’re extremely proud of this recognition.”

Biedermann pointed to several innovations he believes helped Armstrong be successful this past year. In vinyl, Armstrong’s Masterworks Technology® 3D, which replicates the look of fiber, stone and wood more authentically, allow Armstrong designs to stand out. In addition, a variety of installation options – from Lock&Fold® laminates to loose-lay floors like StrataMax® and fiberglass-backed vinyl like Duality®– save builders money and time.

Another innovation exclusively for home builders is Armstrong’s FashionSmart™ program. FashionSmart packages Armstrong-branded soft and hard surface flooring products across six “right floor/right price” tiers designed to help builders streamline the home buyer’s shopping process. FashionSmart offers a compelling trade-up story in each product category to help builders convey the advantages of each product tier to potential buyers.

The Brand Use Study, conducted by Readex and published by Hanley-Wood, LLC, Washington D.C., surveyed a statistical sample from Builder readers to rank flooring brands. The full results will be published in the April 2011 issue of Builder magazine.

Summary of 2011 Builder Magazine Brand Use Study Results

· Armstrong vinyl #1: Brand Familiarity, Brands Used in Past 2 Years, Brands Used the Most, and Quality Rating

· Armstrong laminate #1: Brand Familiarity, Brand Used in Past 2 Years, Brands Used the Most, and Quality Rating

· Bruce hardwood #1: Brand Familiarity, Brands Used in Past 2 Years, Brands Used the Most

Armstrong World Industries, Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of floors, ceilings and cabinets. In 2009, Armstrong's consolidated net sales totaled approximately $2.8 billion. Based in Lancaster, Pa., Armstrong operates 35 plants in eight countries and has approximately 10,000 employees worldwide. For more information, visit www.armstrong.com/.