Special Issues related to colouring and the solutions offered by the producers

A WORLD OF EXTREMES

COLOUR CHOICE IN 2022 WILL LOOK FOR TWO EXTREMES OF THE SPECTRUM

Bart Defrancq (Rubio Monocoat - B)

‘Molecular binding yields (colour) oil with lots of assets’

When it comes to wood protection products, Rubio Monocoat in Izegem is a global reference. Moreover, when colour is involved, clients like to call on this Belgian company. The pioneer from West-Flanders was the first in the field of tackling Volatile Organic Compounds and deploys the advanced technology of molecular binding.

First of all, business manager Bart Defrancq outlines the role which the company plays in the entire colour story. He also considers what parquet floor fitters have to gain by working together with Rubio Monocoat, more precisely via the use of the specific colour product Oil Plus 2C.

King of Colours

‘We like to call ourselves the “King of Colours”. Our logo, a coloured lion, also reflects that,’ he laughs. ‘What we notice is that a colour is determined by the end client and that then the parquet seller chooses what has to be applied to the floor as a finish. Therefore, we make sure that we have the broadest possible standard range of colours at our disposal.’

‘What’s very special about us is that we can protect all sorts of wood indoors with one type of col-ouring. That is our Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C, which you can use to finish not only a wooden floor, but also all other sorts of wooden items such as furniture or stairs in one fast-drying coat. We’ve developed this oil on the one hand so that it’s as strong as possible and therefore can be applied to floors, but also on the other hand so that it’s ecologically optimised, with a minimal consumption. You can apply our oil by hand or industrially, so it’s fairly unique in the world of coatings. Besides, we don’t just have an oil for indoors, we also have a wide range for outdoors, such as with wooden walls and terraces.’

Molecular binding

All communication from the company refers to molecular binding. What does that mean exactly? We hear the following reply: ‘You have to see everything in relation to the way in which oil pene-trates into the wood. With a molecular binding, the oil reacts to cellulose, a module of wood. The oil penetrates into the wood, but due to a reaction with the cellulose, unlike traditional oil, it doesn’t sink deeper and deeper into the wood. This means that the maintenance of our atypical coating looks more like varnish than oil.’

‘The most important thing with a good colour oil is that there are no overlaps. That’s precisely where we are the most unique with our molecular binding. Everything depends on the binding of the oil. You can’t do the binding twice because you’d get overlapping and you can never repair in patches without it being seen. With molecular binding, everything is right from the first time so that you can carry out repairs in patches perfectly well. This is a huge asset, certainly for projects. If architects have projects with high-traffic floors, architects continue to ask for varnish, but thanks to our oil that’s not necessary. Not if you weigh up the pros and cons against the option of repairing in patches.’

‘The pharmacists’

During trade fairs, people sometimes sarcastically refer to Rubio Monocoat as ‘the pharmacists’. After all, at their booths there are lots of unusual and small packs. Why do they do this? ‘You always have to test a colour, certainly if you use a transparent finish as we do. To make that testing easier, we sell tests in packs of 20ml so that you can easily try them out on the wood and you see exactly which colour you will get. Let people call us ‘the pharmacists’. I see that lots of users pick up our little pots, which they find really convenient.’

Solvent-free since 2005

Durability and ecology are most certainly in fashion these days. Bart Defrancq points out here that Rubio Monocoat has always been a pioneer. ‘Ever since the launch in 2005, our oil has never con-tained any solvents and that put us a long way ahead of our rivals. Many of these competitors had problems in 2010 and later following the introduction of the new solvent legislation. We’ve long been in possession of several certificates to prove our rooted ecological awareness. For instance, Rubio Monocoat is the first company in the wood treatment sector to hold the ‘Eurofins Indoor Air Comfort Gold’ label, which illustrates how much we focus on quality and a healthy indoor environ-ment. Lots of other certificates reinforce this impression. Let’s list them briefly: Ü Label, A+ label, Toy Safety, Food Contact Compliance, and M1.

For that matter, we see durability as a very broad concept. For instance, it’s no coincidence that we aim for super low consumption. After all, that has benefits not only for users and floor fitters, who no longer have to ride back and forth to a site because everything can be done in one coat, but also for external factors. Think here, amongst other things, of the greatly reduced need for transport for our products. Obviously, there’s also the general health aspect. Since Rubio Monocoat oil does not contain any water or solvents and is based on natural ingredients, the products couldn’t be safer for both users and their environment.’

In previous articles on colouring, we considered mainly the practical side of the matter. Now, with the end of the year in sight and when the trendwatchers are ready with their analyses and forecasts, we’re going to focus on trends for once. Which colours can we expect in the interior in 2022 and, if you take account of that, how can you use that knowledge to your advantage?

The main thing to remember in the new year is that people will be looking for two extremes in terms of colour in the interior. Either they will opt for calm and serene colours or they will explore the other extreme end of the spectrum and go for really lavish colours. Calm and serene?

On the ‘left flank’, that of calm and serene colours, white clearly plays a lead role. You’ll see white emerge in all sorts of varieties, such as snow white, cream, off-white, etc. What’s remarkable here is that these colours will be supplemented with greyish and brownish shades such as sand and rust. Note that the neutral earthy shades are here to stay, so you’ll see them emerge in the so called Japandi home style which has done so remarkably well in 2021.

Or an explosion of colour?

On the ‘right wing’ we’re going to be bombarded with such an explosion of colour that it will almost be blinding. Actually, that exuberance of

Colours that speak for themselves

colour shouldn’t surprise us after eighteen months of our own company in our own interiors. There is clearly a need for change and some positive thoughts and that’s why you’ll see particularly flashy colours emerge. Think here of shades such as grass-green, pastel yellow, bubblegum pink, lavender, or cobalt blue, though not necessarily on the floor. It’s good to remember that you’ll see this wide range of colours emerge in more ‘artistic’ interiors where not only items of furniture, but even floors can serve as eye-catchers.

Whilst we’re talking about trends, it can’t do any harm to put colours in a broader context. Even in homes in general, we’re seeing a number of clear developments which it’s good to consider briefly.

Other developments

You can describe an initial trend as that of design which is embedded into the interior as (affordable) artwork. Art and design blend into each other and stand for an artistic style of home. The reason for this is probably the fact that art has become more accessible with a lower threshold. What’s also striking is the constantly growing attention to hand work and traditional craft.

A second trend is a yearning for organic forms and therefore natural beauty. The pandemic has helped us to rediscover nature and this is reflected in our living rooms. Landscapes, waves, the reflection of light onto a water surface and such like have inspired interior design. Then, amongst other things, we also have to mention a particularly high caressability factor. Since the start of the pandemic, our interiors have not only had to radiate cosiness, but also to help us feel really cosy. That means, for instance, super-soft fabrics for the furniture to facilitate full relaxation.

Spring and summer 2022 will be extravagant and vivid.

A good yardstick of the colour preferences in both the fashion world and the interior are the trend colours which the renowned American Pantone Color Institute publishes each year for the spring and summer of the following year. In 2022, we’ll be encountering a number of splendid shades which radiate extravagance and vividness. One very special colour is what is designated as popcorn. Popcorn is described by Pantone as ‘a bright and cheerful shade of yellow which radiates warmth to everyone who embraces it.’ You either love it or loathe it, but it can’t do any harm to know what you might see in flooring products.

Sources: Pantone Color Institute, in-house.nl, Interior trends Sofacompany, Pressloft, and Francq Colors.

Het Dorlik 11 A 3500 Hasselt +32-11-933 112 info@williams-koch.com https://www.facebook.com/Williams-KochEurope

Other four specialists have their say

Blanchon

The main requirements for obtaining the ideal colour of oil or varnish are the ease, comfort, and safety of the application. A lot of professionals avoid colouring floors because they are afraid of undesirable effects or disappointing results. It is necessary that the applied stain is lightfast in order to prevent premature and unsightly discolouration when furniture items and carpets are displaced. As a producer, we present related systems (stain + sealer, with or without sealer, distressing agent + oil, or even tinted oil + sealer; this system, which is highly innovative, is technically very safe), which guarantee the durability of the work. Blanchon organises training sessions and practice sessions during its Technical Days. A large part of the activities consist of the application of products which give colour, to take away any anxie-ty which the participants may have. Training sessions in the regions and even in companies can be planned.

Bona

The Bona Oil system gives you the freedom to create an almost infinite range of colours. The complete Bona oil range is made from vegetable materials and contains exceptionally low levels of VOC. The high content of oil combined with a minimal content of solvents guarantees a higher level of saturation and thereby healthy and highly durable floors. These natural wood protectors have outstanding drying features. The 2-component parquet oil Bona Craft Oil 2K gives the natural and ‘light’ look of an oiled floor, but if the surface needs more protection, it can be lacquered over with one of the Bona Traffic parquet lacquers to provide extra durability! It is suitable for most wood sorts, even difficult types such as jaboty, cherry, and walnut. Floors treated with Bona Craft Oil 2K are ready for light use after just eight hours and, if necessary, can be lacquered over after 12 hours. 2-dimensional effects: Bona Nordic Tone helps to highlight the unique character of the interior with the traditional Scandinavian colour treatment. Bona Rich Tone gives the floor the deepest colours and gives the interior an unmistakable dash of elegance. You can intensify the effects even more with Bona Mix Colour.

Photo – Rubio Monocoat Chimiver

Williams & Koch Europe

Colours that speak for themselves LIOS BIOIL Colorato is a colored natural oil treatment for wooden floors with easy application, very durable and soft effect on the surface. LIOS BIOIL Colorato is available in 20 different colors, miscible together to make a wide range of new colors.