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Katie & Robert Sihler bring innovative flooring to the Hill Country

Robert and Katie Sihler moved to the Hill Country to get their flooring business off the ground. After 27 years in Virginia, the couple left the corporate world and entered into an apprenticeship to start Floor Coverings International of the Texas Hill Country. The couple embraced the challenges and learning curves of their new business and brought a customer-focused approach to traditional flooring.

“We are a little different because we offer more of a concierge service,” said Katie Sihler, co-owner. “We bring all samples to the customer’s home or business premises and provide comprehensive advice there.”

One of the things the Sihlers have learned about installing flooring is that customers often struggle with option paralysis when they walk into a typical showroom. The sheer number of options can seem daunting during a large-scale renovation, especially given the importance of flooring in the overall design of the entire project.

“Part of our process is to really understand your preferences and needs and really narrow it down to only show you three to five examples in the range of what you’re looking for,” Sihler said. “Our goal is to present options that meet our clients’ wants and budgets without overwhelming them.”

A key factor in their success is their unique mobile showroom with over 3,000 flooring samples. This allows the Sihlers to drive to a customer’s home or office with samples and give them an idea of ​​what the samples will actually look like in the installation space.

Floor Coverings International of the Texas Hill Country covers a large area, serving customers in Lockhart, Martindale, Maxwell, San Marcos, Driftwood, Canyon Lake, New Braunfels, Wimberley, Woodcreek, Fischer, Bulverde, Spring Branch, Blanco and Kendalia.

In this area, the Sihlers have noticed trends that tend to replace carpet and old laminate flooring with more durable and sustainable surfaces.

“What’s also very popular right now are wide planks that you can get from prefinished parquet,” said Sihler. “It’s actually more sustainable and lasts longer than hardwood because it can withstand a bit more moisture. It’s also really good for this region because you can lay it on concrete.”

Sihler also said that there have been some surprising innovations in the flooring sector over the past decade.

“Carpets are making a comeback,” Sihler said, but not the kind of carpets we were used to on our grandparents’ floors. One of the sustainable materials gaining traction in floor coverings is wool-based carpets and rugs.

“Wool is incredibly durable,” Sihler said. “And it’s a protein, like your hair. It actually doesn’t stain.”

In addition to rugs, having rugs cut into custom rugs is popular in this area due to the high number of apartment dwellers. “When you have a rug made into a carpet, you get all the stain protection features that most rugs don’t have, so your rug will last a lot longer than if you just buy a rug from Wayfair or something.”

The Sihlers have also developed unique solutions for repairs in the home. During the consultation, they were confronted with numerous repair requests and discovered possibilities for creative solutions.

“Since direct repairs are often not possible, we have developed creative strategies such as using flooring from less visible areas to repair damaged sections,” said Sihler. “This approach ensures customer satisfaction while maintaining cost efficiency.”

Due to changes in the housing market, many homeowners have chosen to stay in their current home and remodel rather than move elsewhere. Flooring is often the first choice when renovating because it increases the value of a home while giving it a new, modern look.

The business also gives Robert and Katie Sihler the opportunity to work together on a daily basis while expanding their contacts in the Hill Country and surrounding areas.

“You learn something new every day and it’s rewarding to build connections within our community,” Sihler said.

Their story is not just about business success; it is also about the power of partnerships and the importance of adapting to customer needs.

Here are some flooring trends the Sihlers have experience with.

• Sustainable materials: Homeowners are turning to laminate flooring made from environmentally friendly materials such as recycled wood fibers.

• Authentic wood look: The demand for realistic looking wooden floors continues to rise sharply.

• Waterproof performance: With recent unsettled weather conditions, waterproof laminate flooring is a must!

• Vinyl flooring: With technological advances, vinyl flooring is approaching the natural look of wood and stone and is easy to clean with a damp mop.

• Carpet: There are still diehard carpet lovers because of the warm and cozy feel and look. Not so much shag. More flat pile, textured and patterned looks are available.

• Engineered wood floors: These are the best luxury flooring options with real wood veneers of remarkably high quality and detail.

Visit Floor Coverings International of the Texas Hill Country at hillcountry.floorcoveringsinternational.com to learn more.