17 minute read
Special Producers of distressed floors
NOSTALGIA STILL KINDLES THE ‘DISTRESSED FLOOR’ MARKET
THE BEST DISTRESSING TECHNIQUE IS A COMBINATION OF TECHNIQUES
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Parquet floor fitters can apply distressing techniques to a new floor as one of the possible finishes. They can do that themselves to some extent or they can outsource the job to a specialist company. Most coating contractors (see elsewhere in this edition) offer these services as part of their service package. Nowadays, however, parquet manufacturers themselves offer a very extensive range in solid wood, multilayer, and veneer. In the meantime, manufacturers of other floor coverings have also started to regard ‘distressed’ as a finish like any other.
What makes distressed so coveted? The success of ‘imitation antique’ mirrors the huge popularity of ‘genuinely old’. When something becomes rare and therefore valuable (and expensive), we start to copy it. To copy something as realistically as possible, you have to know what it is that you want to copy. Strictly speaking, there are two ‘sources’ of old wooden floors. They may be recycled old floors or new floors produced from old wood. In both cases the wood bears the marks of old age. The origin affects the colour, hardness, and grain. If supplies of real old wood are ‘all’ exhausted, you have to apply the marks to new wood.
What are those ‘marks of old age’? Strictly speaking, there are three groups of features related directly to the (old) age: marks of woodwork with less developed materials than those nowadays, the colour of the wood due to its age or use, and, finally, the marks of ‘use’ and ‘maintenance’ of the floor over the years.
Flaws in the woodwork Before the start of the 19th century, wooden planks were sawn from tree trunks by hand. And so, those planks were not as smooth and unblemished as those today. If we also consider that planks were not sandpapered, but planed, we realise at once that an ‘antique’ wooden floor showed (and still shows) a whole serious of ‘natural’ flaws. Old techniques such as the brushing of wooden floors are coming back as a distressing technique.
The colour of the wood Houses were not heated uniformly as they are today, so the moisture content was well above 55%. The tannic acid in the wood turns darker when it is exposed to water. And so, light yellow or honey-coloured wood is never antique. Possible previous uses of the wood from which the floor is produced can also affect the colour. For instance, wood which once served as a ‘buoy’ has a dark colour with sometimes a dash of blue.
A ‘used’ floor Whilst the specific look is a result of technology and the colour is the result of external circumstances and age, the unmistakable look is the result of the use itself. A real old parquet or wooden floor is a floor which consists of planks which have always served as floorboards and we retain the ‘used’ side as the upper side. That used side is difficult to copy. How do you copy those marks? Artificial ageing therefore aims to copy those ‘marks’ which are described above.
Mechanical distressing The most well known and commonly used mechanical distressing techniques also find their origin in the furniture industry. We aim to ‘damage’ the wood in some way or other by means of lashing, beating, brushing, scraping, hand-scraping etc. The application of holes caused by wood worm is usually combined with the other methods. At present, brush ing is also being promoted as a distressing technique. For machines which apply an effect such as brushing we can go to Italy where some companies specialise in embossing on various materials. Both Trabattoni Stampi under the trading name FNT and Borgonovo design and produce roller for embossing for both warm engraving on wood and cold with the use of pulp. The parquet industry has been a target market for both companies for a long time.
Colour distressing The use of special pigments or colour oils can give the impression that a new parquet floor is an old floor. White and grey shades are extremely popular for that purpose. There is talk of a white wash or even a super white wash. In the latter case the floor is brushed lightly first. If you carry out a white wash, you get a floor with a somewhat matt and chalky look. Extremely dark colours can also help to give an old appearance.
Smoking Smoking wooden floors is one of the most commonly used and most attractive distressing techniques. Smoking is a process in which a reaction is generated with the tannic acid in the wood. Several wood sorts have no or insufficient tannic acid to generate a distressed colour. Oak does have this, specifically in the form of European oak and American oak. Russian oak and Chinese oak both have a lot less tannic acid and can be smoked only lightly at best.
Combinations As the subtitle of this article suggests, the most beautiful results usually arise from a combined use of various techniques. Colour distressing and smoking, in combination with mechanical distressing techniques, yield extremely realistic results.
What’s on the market
Chêne de l’est Plancher d’autrefois Chêne de l’est Chêne de l'est is the specialist for oak antique plankflooring. We offer a wide range of aged distressed oak plankflooring with several types of engineered French oak TOP 2.7, TOP 3.3, TOP 4.5 and TOP 6 and solid wood in thicknesses of 14 and 21 mm; widths ranging from 70 to 220 with lengths of up to 2,200 mm. Also in XXL with widths up to 335 mm, with lengths up to 5,030 mm. Aged parquet floors are always in
the trend and are suitable for all destinations that are perfectly suited for high traffic. We have a wood ageing technique that is very close to natural ageing. We work on the structure of the floor until we obtain an old wood like a reclaimed parquet. Our oak antique collection provides a natural antique look. About 40 finishes are available, from the raw wood aspect to black, as well as white, beige, grey and brown. We provide advice as well as maintenance products adapted to the finishing.
Design Parquet Design Parquet sells multilayer parquet for 60% and solid oak parquet and exotic wood sorts for 40%. The best-seller is the multilayer Loft Pro Chêne in exotic wood. Distressing is possible with all types of parquet from the range. English bond, herringbone, Hungarian point, anything is possible. Design Parquet is a specialist in customised work. They pay prominent attention here to broken edges and distressing. Oak accounts for the lion’s share (99%) of the products.
ESTAPARKET ESTAPARKET manufactures and sells 3 layer and multilayer floors that can also be distressed, meaning these floors have more character and antique look. We can wire brush, engrave certain pattern and also finish the surface with reactive stain to achieve a truly unique look. We have a collection ESTAPARKET “Infinity” where boards have a unique geometrical shape. The boards are not straight edged and have curved geometrical shape. Distressed floors are more demanded in such unique flooring segment. http://www.estaparket.eu/?s=infinity
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www.q-floor.com • sales@q-floor.com • +32 16 90 45 15 O-Floor Multilayer Parquet
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Oak Rustic/Campagne Grade : 16 x 130 x 800 mm Top-layer : 4,5 mm Matt varnish Tongue & Groove - 4 bevels Semi-solid wood flooring (Birch plywood base) www.designparquet.com FloorForum International 110
These floors are of course less popular and more expensive. Such floors are mainly used in Restaurants and similar commercial areas. Today the traditional beating machines for handling wood grain depth have been replaced with brushes and engraving rollers that can imitate almost any pattern. Estaparket offers distressed floors mainly in Oak and Ash, as these are most popular species.
Futura Floors The beauty of distressed hardwood floors Creating a living space that is completely unique has never been easier. The distressed style of hardwood flooring is increasingly popular in the interior design industry and allows for just such distinction. At Futura Floors our handmade distressed hardwood possesses an authentic weathered look for each plank. The vintage hardwood brings out texture and grain, adding a country-inspired feel to your home. It reminds us of a serene time when homes were lit by candlelight and wood floors were hand-cut and laid with care. The Futura Floors wide plank distressed wood flooring is beautifully worn and uniquely rustic. We hand tool character markings like worm holes, nail holes and kerf marks. It is treasured for its reclaimed look and traditional appeal. At Futura, we look forward to custom making your distressed wood floor. Why not add one of our stunning earth toned oil finishes to complete a charming look to your creation? For more information visit www.futurafloors.de
Houtbedrijf Kerkhofs Houtbedrijf Kerkhofs offers distressed designs in traditional parquet 6mm, 9mm Burgundy, 15 and 20mm Solid wood, and 15/16 and 20mm engineered. Houtbedrijf Kerkhofs still sells lots of distressed floors. At all events, these floors are fairly popular, but it is questionable as to whether or not we can talk of a trend. The most popular method of distressing is by beating. Something also very popular at the moment are manually distressed sides with no distressing on the flat surface. They have their own opinion on the brushed design: ‘In my opinion, this is a completely different look. What I personally find more attractive is to use planed planks with a distressed floor. When you start brushing,
the distressing doesn’t stand out on the flat part. You probably notice it only on the sides because they are more broken/deformed.’ At Houtbedrijf Kerkhofs, too, most of what is used for distressing is oak. However, it is also possible to apply it to many other types of wood. Houtbedrijf Kerkhofs delivers what the end client wants.
Remmery Remmery makes both solid wood and composite floors in various thicknesses and widths up to 27cm. Distressing techniques can be applied to both solid wood and composite floors. Distressed floors are still a trend, but the nature and style have certainly changed in recent years. Whilst previously the darker colours were more popular, people are now opting mainly for (light) shades of grey. Also very popular at home and abroad is the new ‘Montelimar’ finish. This is often combined with a very rustic and half-planed composite floor. Nowadays, almost
all distressed floors in the range are well brushed, usually in combination with hand-scraped edges and a surface which may or may not be damaged. These techniques are often applied on semi-rough floors (half-scraped top layer). This yields finishes with a look to raise projects to a higher level. Over 85% of distressed floors at Remmery are in French oak. This is because most distressed floors are coloured by oxidation, something which works best with wood sorts with a lot of tannic acid such as French oak. Floors in native ash wood are also being distressed more and more, partly with diverse stains and lye to obtain a beautifully distressed floor.
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WHEN FLOORING ITSELF BECOMES A SKIRTING BOARD
INLAY SKIRTING BOARDS WITH LAMINATE, VINYL, OR PVC GIVE A FULL MATCH
There are all sorts of diverse views on the role of skirting boards in the interior and ‘points of view’ about interior styles. Sadly in many cases, those points of view continue to exist next to each other. The key issue is still the impact of skirting boards on the room and therefore the sphere. There is a world of difference between adapting skirting boards to walls to make them part of the walls or to the floor or to nothing at all. The ultimate choice manifests itself in the similarity or otherwise of skirting boards to the flooring. ‘Inlay’ offers the ‘ultimate match’.
All materials are possible Skirting boards are produced from a huge quantity of materials all around us. Here we mention the most current and popular types of materials and skirting boards.
Versatile MDF Medium Density Fibre or MDF is a compressed board with a medium-hard density. MDF is a sort name, not a brand name. The range of MDF skirting boards in various designs is huge. Examples of types include founded (2X) in waterproof MDF and ready for painting, lacquered in an RAL colour (founded + white lacquered), and wrapped in foil ready for use or painting over.
Solid wood or veneer There are just as many sorts of solid wood skirting boards as there are wood sorts. Both native and exotic sorts are available, so there is a matching skirting board for any wooden floor. Obviously, the same applies to veneer skirting boards, which, strictly speaking, look exactly the same.
Aluminium and stainless steel In a somewhat more costly segment various skirting boards are available in aluminium or stainless steel. There is also a vast range of metal colours (e.g. bronze or silver). Aluminium skirting boards make the perfect finish for the modern interior. Aluminium is a stable and light material which can be processed in several ways. It can be polished, sandblasted, lacquered, or coated.
Bendable skirting boards Curves and arches are also found more often in modern home construction. Until recently, it was no easy job to give these arched walls a suitable edge finish. That is now easy with flexible/bendable skirting boards. These skirting boards can be made, for instance, in polyurethane foam.
PVC skirting boards PVC is easy to process and another benefit is that it doesn’t swell or shrink after the fitting. PVC is scratch and chip-resistant. PVC skirting boards are used a lot in rooms where floors are cleaned with large equipment or rooms where hygiene is vital. Laminate skirting boards If laminate makers don’t do it themselves, skirting board makers do it for them. Some of them make skirting boards in laminate with so many decors that there is a tailored skirting board for any floor. However, there are also collections which are brand-related and therefore match the accompanying floor for the full 100%.
Inlay is the ultimate brilliance One of the problems facing wholesalers and retailers is the huge range of technical and decorative accessories such as profiles and skirting boards. If we look for a range with ‘something for everyone’s taste’, that gives traders a headache when it comes to stock. Indeed, the number of references required in stock is growing all the time. And so, the concept of skirting boards with inlay provides an ingenious answer to the question of how you can still improve such a range of materials. Whether you are looking for a match or not, this concept always works! In the case of inlay skirting boards the skirting board becomes a purely technical solution. In other words, the functional and the decorative are detached at source. The skirting board becomes a bearer into which a fragment of the floor is inserted. This means floor fitters themselves finish the floor, so the match is obviously complete. The inlay skirting boards on offer usually provide for various thicknesses of floor types so that, for instance, they can be used for both vinyl and laminate.
Some specialists
Auer Metallprofile
In addition to a multitude of stair nosings, connecting profiles and special profiles, Auer Metallprofile also has various skirtings made of stainless steel and aluminum. From flat i-shape, via click-skirting, and then to edged and extruded L-shapes, to r-skirting boards to bump and push a variety of coverings, such as the 60 x 10 x 3,2 mm aluminum design skirting. This is suitable for bonding 2 to 3 mm floorings and adapts optimally in every room by the combination with the laid design floor. This skirting board is available in the anodized colors silver and stainless steel colored as standard colors. Other anodized colors or with powder coating are available on request. Matching inside and outside corners can either be miter cut or
manufactured as a 30x30 mm corner by us. Special cuts or bended skirtings are also available on request.
Carl Prinz Progress Profiles
Carl Prinz produces skirting boards with a slide-in unit to insert a strip from the floor. The strips are cut from the floor itself so that in some respects the floor is transferred to the wall. This system can be used for floors 2 to 5mm thick. The skirting board is in one piece and 60mm high. Obviously, all special items such as bends and corners are available. Carl Prinz also has a skirting board system for skirting boards of variable height. The floor strip determines the skirting board height at that point. The bearer is made from aluminium, anodised in classic silver with a fine touch of titanium. These systems mean it is easy to replace the floor strip without having to dismantle the skirting board itself.
Profilpas Profilpas produces a wide variety of skirting boards, both in metal and in PVC, for meeting any aesthetical and technical requirement. Metal Line range includes different models of skirting boards in aluminium and stainless steel, in different shapes, measures and finishes. Among these, there are Metal Line 87/6 and 88/6: two flush recessed skirting boards in aluminium for plaster and plasterboard. These are composed of two separate elements: a base in natural aluminium and an insert in silver anodised aluminium or matt white RAL 9010 colour-coated aluminium which can be installed directly on site. These skirting boards also come in the version with LED light for creating original light effects. PVC Line range is composed of skirting boards in PVC, in different shapes, measures and with the possibility to choose among several decors, from wood to stone, cement and metal. Profilpas gives the possibility to choose between over 400 standard decors to create a perfect combination between the floor and the skirting board. Thanks to our innovative digital printing technology PDS, we can reproduce any effect on film, thus not giving limit to imagination.
Among the wide range of skirting boards produced by Progress Profiles, many of them correspond entirely to the floor. SKIRTING 7016 and SKIRTING 7011, for example, are two models for floating floors in laminate wood: thanks to over 100 different shades of wood, they can be chosen of the same color of the floor, by harmonizing the space. Made of PVC foam, the laying of these skirting boards can be performed with gluing (acetic silicone-acrylic-mastic) or with a simple structure fixed with screws, bolts or nails. The Italian firm produces the bearing element in aluminium, stainless steel or PVC expanded foamed vinyl resin. For the inlay, it fits to order and is industrially applied,
www.progressprofiles.com www.progressprofiles.com
Transparency for a perfect laying
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varying one from another.
PROLEVELING SYSTEM
PROLEVELING SYSTEM is a revolutionary and innovative system to make the laying easy and quick only with two elements. A complete range of levellers in form of cross, T and linear of 1, 2, 3 and 5 mm, for floor and wall with thickness from 3 to 40 mm. PROLEVELING WEDGE SYSTEM: the leveling system with wedges improved in efficiency, ergonomics and in compliance with regulations, thanks to the fins directly fixed on the base.
