Special Producers of engineered floors

A HAND FULL OF ASSETS

HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN TO CLIENTS WHY OPTING FOR MULTILAYER CAN AN ATTRACTIVE CHOICE?

Lut Dolphen (BerryAlloc - B)

‘We commit to running an efficient production, which happens to work very well. ’

We recently wondered, how does a major manufacturer such as BerryAlloc tackle the production of multilayer floors? And more specifically, what about the panels used in the product core? We wanted to know whether they experienced any problems due to a scarcity in panel supplies or if they decided to manufacture these themselves. We spoke to Lut Dolphen, Regional and Project Development Manager at BerryAlloc. BerryAlloc offers a wide range of interior solutions for residential and commercial projects. Laminate is produced in Menen (Belgium), vinyl planks and tiles in Wielsbeke (Belgium), high pressure floors and walls in Lyngdal (Norway), and multilayer parquet floors in Meaulne (France).

‘Before I answer this question, I think I ought to elaborate a little more on how our parquet is produced,” Ms Dolphen explains, “BerryAlloc parquet is a multilayer wooden floor with top layers of 3.3 or 2.5 mm and is made at our factory in France. We use HDF (high density fibre board) as a core, which has lots of benefits: it has excellent stability, a high impact resistance, it’s suitable for floor heating, and it guarantees perfect joints. Our parquet floors are finished with Ultimtec®, an innovative varnish which protects our parquet floors without using solvents and chemical reagents. As such, we don’t supply any unfinished parquet and our main focus remains France and Belux.’

‘To answer your question about the panels, we don’t make them ourselves, but we purchase them. Manufacturing them ourselves is a solution, but we do not yet have a decisive answer for that. Sourcing panels has become easier recently and having a big stock enables us to supplement stock shortages. The biggest problem these days isn’t the panels, but sourcing people instead, especially workers in West Flanders. The unemployment rate is low, with a high level of demand within the industry at the same time.’

‘The biggest challenge in France is sourcing solid wood, although our problems are relatively small in comparison to those who are supplied by China. We use 70% French oak and 30% Eastern European oak. This means our clients won’t be deceived with rampantly rising container prices, which recently quintupled. We commit to running an efficient production, which happens to work very well.’

‘If everything goes as planned, we’ll be launching a new collection ‘Les Iconics’ in April. This will replace ‘Lodge’ and focuses specifically on handbrushed floors, Hungarian point, and herringbone. I can already disclose that this will be a distinctly high-end and very exclusive collection. The top layer consists entirely of 3.3 mm of oak.’

‘I’d also like to point out the launch of three new High Pressure Floors collections: Original, Grand Avenue, and Grand Majestic. These floors are produced in our factory in Norway and are made to cope with extremes, are incredibly strong, and, if I say so myself, incredibly beautiful. I can also reveal that our existing herringbone laminate Chateau collection has gotten an update and that we’ve created a new collection of vinyl planks and tiles made for everyday life. The latter is equipped with our licensed DreamClick® installation system and consists of decors with a wood or stone look. The collection was created with respect for the environment, as it is fully recyclable and is largely made up of recycled materials.

In recent years, multilayer wooden floors have made spectacular gains. Obviously, there are various reasons for that, although the main one is still the price difference with solid wooden floors, together with the much easier fitting. This article gives you a number of arguments which you can present to clients during an initial discussion so that they can make a well founded choice for multilayer parquet.

The first question which we need to answer is obviously what the difference is between solid wood and multilayer. The answer is quite simple: The former consists entirely of wood, whilst with the latter you usually only have a top layer in solid wood. It’s important to tell clients what is under the top layer, which is usually in oak. Here you can explain that two other layers of wood are fitted onto each other under the top layer. Those layers consist of softwood or panel material such as multiplex or pressed wood fibre (HDF or high density fibre).

Great stability

You can also unveil the benefits at once. By far the greatest benefit which you should explain is how multilayer parquet is highly stable and that the stability does not endanger the authentic look. This stability is obtained by the perpendicular glueing of the various wood layers. Various things ensure that the wood swells and shrinks less (or ‘moves’, to use consumer language) with changes in temperature or air humidity than with solid parquet. Even if the floor is fitted floating, the floor swells and shrinks less. And so, there is much less chance of a convex floor in the summer or the emergence of gaps between the planks in the winter.

Other benefits are that also a multilayer floor can be sanded several times because the top layer has to be 2.5mm thick to be called parquet, and that it is easier to fit. With the latter, a floating fitting is the easiest because the planks are clicked together. This is in contrast to the fitting of solid parquet which requires a lot more professional expertise and you can explain from your own experience how a solid parquet floor is fitted.

In today’s houses, certainly in new buildings, a good extra argument is that multilayer is also suitable for fitting on floor heating. Do mention here that parquet on floor heating should preferably be glued. If you fit a floating floor, this creates an extra layer of air which forms an insulation cushion to mask the heat from the floor. You surely don’t have to tell clients that that’s harmful to heat output.

Discolouration?

Since a multilayer also consists of wood, you should certainly consider the phenomenon of discolouration when you talk to consumers. All parquet floors become darker over time through the penetration of UV light. This discolouration will be most prominent with light-coloured parquet. It’s good to point out to clients that you can easily rectify that with a natural soap. If the client wants the floor to turn a little darker after the fitting, you should mention that it is best to opt for an oiled floor rather than a varnished one.

Look

People still often claim that solid parquet has an authentic look, but they often fail to consider the wealth of choice now available. Does a client want a rustic look? That’s also perfectly possible in multilayer. Several manufacturers now offer splendid multilayer floors, such as oiled oak with several gnarls, cracks, and even a manually distressed V-groove. Main source: De Parketbijbel (Lamett). Some other specialists have their say

BJ Parket

At BJ Parket you find various sorts of multilayer parquet. The company produces the ‘Duo-Line’ itself. This is made with a top layer of 4 or 6mm on a highly stable birch multiplex base of 9 or 12mm. There are four possible selections (Premier, 1 Bis, Rustic, and Farmhouse) in three different widths (15, 18, or 20cm). The parquet is mainly supplied raw, but on request it can be pre-finished. Apart from the ‘Duo-Line’, BJ Parket also offers the French parquet Cabbani and the Dutch parquet Solidfloor.

Design Parquet

Design Parquet uses three types of supports for the manufacture of its parquet: the solid, the engineered Pro Loft (birch plywood), and the engineered (slat construction). We recommend the Loft Pro engineered, in 2 layers of better quality. The birch plywood we are using provides better stability thanks to its multi-layers crossply structure. It is well known as being the most professional floor especially by the installation’s companies. Parquet Design sells more finished flooring compared to rough floors but both are possible. We offer several species (Oak, Acacia, ash, Walnut, Iroko, Jatoba, Merbau, Teak, Wengé…), in several dimensions (thickness x width in mm): 12 / 90-145-180, 16 / 90-180-220, 20 / 180-295. Loft Pro parquets are available in monoblades, Chevron, Herringbone or panels like Versailles style. Since 20 years, Design Parquet become parquet flooring expert and brings daily technical and aesthetic solutions to its customers from a wide range of species, colours, formats.

Garbelotto

Watch the video of Clip Up System® CLIP UP SYSTEM® by Garbelotto – Quick and fast installation for new buildings and renovations The Clip Up System® installation is quick and easy: very few tools are required for installation and removal thanks to the use of special polymer clips resting on the flat substrate. Among the countless advantages, the possibility of replacing even a single board in any part of the room in less than a minute! Clip Up System® is a real pre-finished wooden floor, composed of a phenolic birch plywood and a layer of noble wood, available in 13 mm, 14 mm and 16 mm thickness for laying on boards, herringbones and Quadrotte of Creator® Line. Thanks to its low thickness, Clip Up System® is suitable for both new buildings and renovations, helping to increase acoustic comfort. The polymer clip technology acts with vertical and horizontal traction on the slats, making Clip Up System® a new, revolutionary installation system, compared to glued and floating installation. Multiple awarded at the Domotex in Hannover, Clip Up System® has been chosen all over the world for the construction of important and prestigious locations.

Heinr. Krüger + Sohn (HKS)

Manufaktur deluxe – hand made individual 2-ply floorings in oak Heinr. Krüger + Sohn (HKS) based in Münster, Germany is a supplier of wooden flooring who established with its product line Manufaktur deluxe a range with huge variety in the market. In contrast to low budget products HKS developed an unequalled product range through the years.

LUXUY PANELS, BORDERS, HERRINGBONE, STRIPS,

TRADITIONAL PARQUET, DUO-LINE, END GRAIN, CUSTOMIZED, ...

B.J. Parket bv

Manufaktur deluxe is available in: - Planks - Herringbone 90° - Chevron 45°/60° This individual floorings with oak top layer live up to the highest usability expectations combined with a first class base of birch plywood. Therefore it is possible to install it on water-based underfloor heating without any problems. A wide variety of designs arise through the use of advanced technology in combination with passionate handcraft. A diverse use of stains, oils and wax ensures a visual and haptical sense of well being. Manufaktur deluxe was developed to realize your individual vision. Be your own designer, create your favourite flooring using the numerous options of 22 different finishes. The range is produced exclusively for HKS and under steady control in Europe. www.hks1835.com

Lamett

Solid or multilayer parquet – a choice with your head and your heart! Lamett is Europe’s market leader in the production of solid parquet, but they also sell multilayer parquet. Solid parquet still has that little bit extra in look and feel, whilst multilayer parquet is often a better option in combination with modern techniques. There is a big demand for parquet which is compatible with floor heating. Multilayer parquet is a top class combination and is efficient. Solid parquet is less suitable for this. With solid parquet, you need to check the temperature and air humidity very carefully to prevent excess swelling and shrinking. The structure of multilayer parquet (layers glued directly to each other) ensures a stable product. Lamett pre-finishes most floors with oil or varnish, so the floors ready for use after fitting and initial cleaning. Solid or multilayer parquet, finished with oil or varnish – a choice with your head and your heart!

Meister parquet floors

MEISTER natural olied Ambiente

Wood is a valuable material which should be treated responsibly and carefully. That‘s why MEISTER parquet floors do not consist of solid wood, but of three layers. The middle is a stable HDF layer above a veneer in spruce and the top layer (2.5mm) is in noble wood. This structure yields extra benefits. For instance, MEISTER multilayer parquet is considerably more stable in shape than solid parquet, so it doesn‘t warp in the heat or under fluctuating humidity. It reacts much better to mechanical pressure than a parquet floor with a standard middle layer in spruce. MEISTER parquet reduces sound development with a very simple principle: more mass means less vibration. Using an HDF middle layer increases the weight of the plank by about 50%. That results in less vibration, better acoustics, and more peace and quiet.

Photo – BerryAlloc