Consumer Corner

A Guide to Asking the Right Flooring Questions

Published

7 months ago

September 17, 2025

Daily News Staff

Last Updated on September 17, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Flooring

A Guide to Asking the Right Flooring Questions

(Family Features) If you’re looking for flooring inspiration for your next home renovation or new build, scrolling through social media boards and manufacturers’ sites are good places to start. However, there are other important flooring considerations beyond aesthetics.

To help you find the right floor that balances beauty and substance, consider these questions from the experts at Beautifully Responsible.

Are the claims standing on sure footing?

Whether it’s sustainable flooring or flooring that promotes good indoor air quality, it’s difficult to know for sure which flooring really meets the criteria they claim. Third-party certifications can provide the dose of truth you need. They are independently verified, meaning the flooring manufacturer needs to prove it’s meeting the strict guidelines of the certifications to use the badge. For instance, third-party certifications — such as FloorScore (for indoor air quality) and ASSURE Certified (for multiple attributes in rigid core flooring) — are quick ways to make sure the flooring you’re considering can back up its claims.

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While these floors look stunning in photos, how will they look after a few bouts of tug-of-war with your dog?
Life is full of unexpected moments, whether it’s your new puppy having an accident or spilling coffee in your rush to leave home. Make sure you understand how much effort is required to maintain your flooring choice. Look for durable, scratch-resistant and water-resistant options. Your floors need to withstand your everyday life.

Flooring is also a financial and time investment. While it can be easy to get carried away with the variety of beautiful flooring options out there, it’s important to match your floors with your family’s stage of life.

How can I find good looking floors I can feel good about?
You deserve to feel good about every aspect of your floors — whether it’s stopping your guests in their tracks in amazement when they enter a room or the environmental impacts made by a company working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, finding flooring that matches your home’s aesthetics and what’s important to you requires a little research.

Check the sustainability section on the manufacturer’s website. Most suppliers of Beautifully Responsible resilient flooring go to great lengths to engage sustainability in their business models. Many also publish detailed sustainability reports.
Look for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which detail product ingredients, carbon footprint and overall environmental impacts.

What about economics?
Aside from durability, scratch resistance, moisture resistance, third-party certifications and manufacturer commitments to sustainability, affordability is a major factor when choosing a floor. Resilient products have an enormous bandwidth of affordable products that address first homes to dream homes. Also, look for innovations created by resilient flooring manufacturers to make installation more efficient and less costly than many other flooring categories.

Where can I find a floor that meets all these criteria?
Resilient flooring, including varieties from Beautifully Responsible member brands, offers hundreds of options with style and substance.

Resilient flooring offers many scratch-resistant and water-resistant options, making them both pet-friendly and a breeze to clean up with neutral cleansers. You can also find industry-wide EPDs for various types of resilient flooring and many manufacturers regularly publish sustainability reports, sharing their progress toward environmental goals. Walk on peace of mind knowing you’re protected from many common mishaps, all while creating a stunning, sustainable home environment.

Get More From A Face Cleanser And Spa-like Massage

Find your floor and answers to more common questions by visiting beautifullyresponsible.com.

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Beautifully Responsible

Automotive

Nissan’s New Strategy: Innovation Meets Consolidation in a Changing Auto Market

Nissan’s New Strategy: Nissan is reshaping its lineup with fewer models, more hybrid technology, and smarter vehicles. Here’s what’s staying, what’s changing, and what it means for drivers.

Published

21 hours ago

April 26, 2026

Rod Washington

Nissan’s New Strategy

As the global auto industry pivots toward electrification and smarter technology, Nissan is taking a more measured approach—introducing new innovations while trimming its lineup to focus on core models that drive sales and long-term value.

🚗 A Leaner, More Focused Nissan

In recent years, Nissan has begun reshaping its global strategy, reducing the total number of models while strengthening key vehicles across major segments. The goal is clear: prioritize profitability, streamline production, and invest in technology where it matters most.

Rather than flooding the market with new nameplates, Nissan is concentrating on a smaller, more competitive lineup—particularly in high-demand categories like SUVs and crossovers.

Nissan’s New Strategy Explained: Fewer Cars, More Hybrids, Smarter SUVs

🔋 Innovation Where It Counts

Hybrid Technology Takes Center Stage

One of Nissan’s most important developments is its e-POWER hybrid system, which is set to debut more broadly in the U.S., particularly in the next-generation Nissan Rogue.

Unlike traditional hybrids, e-POWER uses a gasoline engine solely to generate electricity, while the wheels are driven by an electric motor. The result is a driving experience that feels closer to an EV—without requiring a charging station.

This technology reflects a growing industry reality: while electric vehicles are expanding, hybrids are emerging as a practical bridge for many consumers.

EV Evolution, Not Explosion

Nissan isn’t abandoning electric vehicles—it’s refining its approach.

The iconic Nissan LEAF is expected to return in a redesigned, crossover-style format, aimed at improving range, comfort, and mainstream appeal. However, Nissan is avoiding an aggressive all-electric push in favor of a balanced portfolio that includes gas, hybrid, and EV options.

Smarter Vehicles Through AI

Another key pillar of Nissan’s future is AI-assisted driving technology. The company plans to integrate advanced driver assistance and semi-autonomous features into a majority of its vehicles over the next several years.

These systems are designed to enhance:

Safety
Driver awareness
In-car connectivity

While less visible than a new engine or redesign, this shift could become one of Nissan’s most impactful long-term innovations.

🚙 The Core Lineup: What’s Staying

Nissan’s future lineup is built around a group of proven, high-demand models that continue to evolve with new technology and features.

SUVs and Crossovers (The Backbone)

Nissan Kicks – Entry-level, affordable, and recently redesigned
Nissan Rogue – The brand’s best-seller and innovation leader
Nissan Pathfinder – Family-focused with growing tech upgrades
Nissan Armada – Large SUV with premium and performance appeal

These vehicles form a complete SUV ladder, covering nearly every price point and lifestyle.

Sedans (Reduced but Relevant)

Nissan Sentra – Recently updated and positioned as the primary sedan
Nissan Altima – Still available, though its long-term future is less certain

As consumer demand shifts toward SUVs, Nissan is scaling back—but not eliminating—its sedan offerings.

Trucks and Performance Models

Nissan Frontier – A key player in the midsize truck segment
Nissan Titan – Still present, but facing stiff competition
Nissan Z – A modern revival of Nissan’s performance heritage
Nissan GT-R – Nearing the end of its lifecycle, with a successor anticipated

These models help maintain Nissan’s identity beyond everyday transportation.

⚠️ Models Being Phased Out or Reevaluated

Not every vehicle is making the cut.

The Nissan Versa is being discontinued after 2025
The Nissan Ariya is seeing strategy adjustments depending on market demand
Some low-volume global models are being eliminated as part of a broader consolidation effort

This reflects a broader industry shift: automakers are prioritizing efficiency and profitability over sheer volume.

🔍 The Role of the Nissan Kicks

One standout in this transition is the Nissan Kicks, which represents Nissan’s practical, value-driven approach.

Recently redesigned, the Kicks offers:

Modern infotainment and safety features
Improved comfort and available all-wheel drive
Strong fuel efficiency at an affordable price point

While it doesn’t showcase cutting-edge hybrid or EV technology, it plays a crucial role as an entry-level gateway into the Nissan brand.

🧭 Industry Context: Why This Shift Matters

Nissan’s strategy mirrors broader trends shaping the automotive industry:

EV adoption is growing—but unevenly
Hybrids are gaining traction as a transitional solution
SUV demand continues to dominate global markets
Cost control and profitability are now top priorities

By focusing on fewer, stronger models, Nissan aims to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

🧾 Bottom Line

Nissan is not simply cutting models—it’s redefining its identity.

✔️ Investing in hybrid technology, AI, and core SUVs
✔️ Maintaining key sedans, trucks, and performance vehicles
❌ Eliminating underperforming and low-demand models

The result is a lineup that is leaner, more technologically advanced, and better aligned with today’s market demands.