Special Producers of laminate, LVT, PVC & vinyl floors in XL format

DO YOU ALREADY HAVE THE BIGGEST?

LARGE-SIZE FLOORBOARDS ARE ONE OF THE TOP FLOOR TRENDS IN 2021

Thomas Verschatse and Pieter-Jan Dendooven (Lamett - B)

‘Fitters, too, are turning more often to vinyl products.’

What is it that makes floors in LVT, PVC, vinyl, and laminate so popular in XXL size and how does Lamett see them developing in the future? Those were the main questions which we put to Pieter-Jan Den-dooven, sales director at Lamett, and Thomas Verschatse, the latest addition to the BeLux sales team.

Let’s be quite clear about this. We’re talking here to a trader which targets the specialty retail, ranging from parquet floor fitters and timber traders to paint and decoration stores. Obviously, our interviewees refer to the product which they themselves have launched on the market. Parquetvinyl is an extruded synthetic floor covering which is 100% waterproof and can therefore be fitted in any room in the home. Thanks to a convenient click system, including an integrated underlay, this floor can be fitted quickly and easily. The limited thickness and the opportunity to fit Parquetvinyl onto most existing floors makes it a very attractive product for renovations. They have extended their collection range to include both rustic and rigid floors, but also trendy herringbone floors or tiles in different sizes.

Decors and bigger sizes

Pieter-Jan and Thomas want to talk primarily about the vast evolution and revolution in the look and feel within the product category of vinyl floors.

Thomas comments: ‘At Lamett we stress resolutely the further development and commercialisation of modern collections which have been savoured by a wide range of consumers. Thanks to thorough product and design development, we try to follow modern home and interior trends closely,’

Pieter-Jan adds: ‘Certainly with Parquetvinyl, this proactive approach plays a special part. Further to our recent range expansion earlier this year, for instance, we’ve been working very hard on products with an extremely low level of gloss, barely 2-4%, so that it’s getting increasingly difficult to distinguish Parquetvinyl from a “real” parquet floor. As regards colours, too, we note a progression towards natural shades. Thanks to big cylinders, we can commit ourselves fully to the highest possible number of different planks, up to 60 for one collection.’

‘In dimensions, too, we’re seeing a trend towards wider and longer sizes. Planks up to two metres are no exception and the XXL sizes within the tile formats are also much coveted. The absolute highlight within our Caldera series is clearly the 615 x 1230mm size by a long way. Thanks to its size, with this tile you create a trendy and modern interior.’

Future expectations

When we ask about their expectations for the future at Lamett, it is clear that they are still highly ambitious. Apart from the further development of commercial collections, they are also committed to the ongoing growth of the organisation. In this context Thomas Verschatse has recently joined the company and at present they have a vacancy for a junior sales officer in Wallonia.

Recently, Lamett has invested heavily in its production site at Morava Wood in the Czech Republic, where they have purchased the surrounding land and production halls with a total surface area of 86,000m².

One trend which has emerged in 2021 is the increasingly strong advance of large-size floorboards in what we could call ‘alternative materials’. In vinyl, PVC, LVT, and such like, too, there’s an unmistakable booming penchant for increasingly bigger sizes, both in planks and tiles. The main reason for this? The answer to that question lies in the technological developments.

Actually, this growing popularity is no surprise. Manufacturers tinker constantly with the way in which floors are made and that yields a revolution in the range. In that context, amongst other things, the advance of PVC or polyvinyl stands out clearly. This success is logical since this is an elastic floor made from a flexible material with a clearly softer feel than with laminate and certainly tiles.

Increasingly refined production methods

Due to the increasingly refined production methods, not only is it increasingly possible to give more variety in ever bigger sizes, but also these floors have a nicely structured surface which equates increasingly to the look of real wood or stone. Moreover, more and more parquet floor fitters are becoming fans of this floor covering because this product requires more expertise with the fitting (certainly in larger sizes) than with classic laminate floors. It also gives you a better profit margin.

What stands out first of all with these PVC floors is how much the different manufacturers are committed to both long and wide planks and how they expand their collections strongly. That shouldn’t come as a surprise. Fitting larger sizes takes less time and that’s always a nice bonus in a competitive world. Yet perhaps just as important is the fact the development of the product literally makes a room visually bigger with big planks.

If you fit these big sizes, be sure to respect the following tip: Do not fit them in rooms which are too small; the bigger the room, the better. If you use big planks in a room which is too small, you could be disappointed with the end result because the floor dominates the interior too much.

Colours and patterns

Which colours and patterns are now in vogue in those large sizes? Not surprisingly, wood imitations still score best by far. It’s precisely because these imitations are getting better in PVC that they are making their way into more rooms, especially on the residential market. Light and moderately tinted planks are doing well these days. They give a room some ‘body’ and combine easily with most other colours. Think, for instance of a dark oak cabinet or the recently fitted kitchen in Scandinavian tints. Note: This doesn’t mean that darker PVC isn’t in vogue. Certainly if you must look for a contrast, such as with light walls, a dark colour comes much more into its own.

Stone imitations

We mentioned above the popularity of PVC tiles which imitate stone. Yes, that, too, is one very clear trend because here, too, you get more and more options for creating highly realistic floors with increasingly bigger sizes.

The look of wood, the ease of vinyl.

Discover the herringbone, plank and tile collections on parquetvinyl.com

If we look at the sort of tiles, it is noticeable that PVC tiles with a concrete look still score best. The end result is usually very beautiful because you create a modern look without the drawbacks of real concrete. Moreover, these tiles can cope with knocks, they withstand high traffic, and you hardly have to worry at all about stains.

PVC tiles obviously give you more than just the concrete look. For instance, amongst other things, we are seeing the emergence of more slate to even particularly handsome imitations of flamed marble. There is also one very special trend: The finish with the look of metal is gaining in popularity. If you want to make a statement with vinyl in a modern and contemporary home, this sort of tile is perfect.

Two extra specialists

MeisterDesign

Laminate: attractive, carefree and versatile

MEISTER laminate flooring has been adapted to the latest trends and technical requirements. Since it is made up to 95% from natural resources (mostly wood), it is one of the most ecological floor coverings you can install in your home. Moreover, the “Diamond Pro” surface finish increases resistance against micro-scratches and abrasion. The “antistatic” feature protects the surface against electric charging and

MEISTER laminate LL250 Pure castle oak thus attracts less dirt. MEISTER laminate flooring is also colour-fast and heat-resistant so that its colours remain beautiful for years, even when exposed to the sun. All our laminate floors (except for the LC 55/LC 55 S collections and LD 55/ LD 55 S) are equipped with comprehensive protection against humidity, which makes them suitable for use in humid rooms, too. This is achieved thanks to the AquaSafe system (4 h) or the AquaSafe system + (24 h). As a result, laminate flooring is the perfect choice for every living area and is also suitable for commercial areas with a normal level of use (e.g. offices).

Parador

Parador also in XL vinyl and laminate in a tile look Bleak and grey are consigned to history forever Vinyl and laminate with a look of tiles or stone bring the original beauty of natural stone or ceramic tiles into your home. Floors with the look of concrete, stone, or granite are authentic and natural. The tranquil surfaces form an exciting contrast with vivid wood structures and organic shapes. Can we add a little more? If so, choose vinyl and laminate floors which remind you of colourful vintage tiles and make a contemporary statement in each room. Grey is the perfect colour for any interior style. Grey fits in anywhere at any time and can cope with everything (cool or cosy, manly or feminine, romantically playful, or pure Scandinavian. The trend colour thrives on the combination with modern design, but also with antique or country home furniture. With the look of concrete or granite, floors in grey go together perfectly with white and wood shades and let colours shine. Floors in concrete and granite look authentic and natural. The tranquil surfaces form an exciting contrast with vivid wood structures and organic shapes which are currently enjoying a new lease of life due to the Midcentury-trend. The accompanying accessories are luxuriant, with gold and messing colours at the forefront. There is an exciting interaction between the luxuriant mix of velvet, silk, and gold and the light shades of grey in the floor design. The Bauhaus look forms a stylistic counterpart with its rigid cube-shaped forms, bright geometrical lines, and reduced colours. White, grey, and black are the central design colours of this interior style and are stressed by strong colour highlights. Bright shapes and colours in modern understatement testify to a sense of style. Highlight colours such as yellow provide highlights and support the idea of modernism.Parador vinyl and laminate floors are also available in modern stone and tile optics. Granite, concrete, or tiles with a coloured design, there’s a suitable décor for all tastes. And what’s best about vinyl and laminate floors? They win you over with all the benefits of a modern floor covering because vinyl and laminate floors in tile-look are easy to maintain, slip-resistant and watertight, pleasantly warm on the feet, and easy to fit.

MEISTER laminate LB 150 Layer stone