Special Style panels

THE TILE FORM WHICH NEVER ANNOYS

OLD FITTING PATTERNS SEDUCE NOT ONLY IN SOLID WOOD, BUT ALSO IN MULTILAYER

Before the outbreak of the pandemic, we saw how more and more style panels were being fitted in the Low Countries. The projects were absolutely top class, but households certainly had to pay good money for them. Specific figures aren’t yet available, but over the last two years interest in these style panels, with herringbone and Hungarian Point leading the way, certainly doesn’t seem to have waned, especially in the interior. In fact, the opposite is true.

The producers of these style panels (and we’re only talking about wood here) have seen how the (enforced) extra interest in the interior has continued to give style panels a boost. A style panel, which is sawn fully computerised nowadays and can be supplied in an excellent fit, offers fitters plenty of options in a countless number of wood sorts.

Parquet floor in miniature

First of all, to clear away any misunderstandings, we need to define the concept of a style panel. Actually, what it comes down to is that it’s about large wooden tile forms with an outer edge. A certain pattern is created in that tile form whereby a ‘parquet floor in miniature’ comes into being. With style panels, the sections are generally glued sideways to each other (solid wood 6 or 10mm), and there has been an advance of multilayer for some years now, whilst the solid wood pattern is glued to a subfloor (multiplex).

The names of a number of patterns will always sound familiar. These are almost always fitting patterns from the past where distressed is an option (even if some producers prefer not to hear of it). Very popular, for instance, is Versailles, which we’ve covered extensively in previous editions. To sum up briefly, the Versailles panel presents itself to the outside world as a diagonal wickerwork within a framework of a square edge of parquet strips. The name is derived from the similarly named castle of King Louis XIV, in which the panels are exactly 1m² or 100 x 100cm. They are separated by three strips of 8cm which come together in a corner to form a point.

Stylish variations on a theme

However, there are lots of other options, occasionally with some highly exotic names. Do designs such as Horsovsky panel, Malo panel, Palladio panel, or even Venetian Cross panel sound less familiar? Those are just a few examples of exceptionally stylish variations on a theme. What we certainly should add here is that with solid wood style panels it’s about design floors which are made in advance (in the square) and in which wooden elements are placed according to a fitting pattern. The sections are sawn to measure and mitred and are then glued to each other sideways and held firmly in place to dry. And so, to be specific, it is not necessary to saw anything on site because each panel forms a complete whole in itself. By means of this ‘limitation’ (if you can call it a limitation), most design floors are made customised because the room determines the fitting. Advance of multilayer

We’ve already said that in recent years it’s been impossible to ignore the emergence of multi-layer panel floors. Here we can note that these often comprise two layers, but that three layers is far from the exception to the rule. With multilayer you often see a top layer of 6mm of noble wood, which is glued onto birch multiplex. Such panels can be fully glued onto a screed, but with multilayer we see there is a tendency to offer standard sizes. Such multilayer panel floors are part of the regular range of lots of producers and in various designs and finishes. Obviously, the target here is a consumer or commercial client looking for standardised products, with more than just an eye on the budget.

A specialist

Houtbedrijf Kerkhofs

In recent years we have found Style panels are gaining popularity. We at Houtbedrijf Kerkhofs have had increasing demand and received many commissions for this product. Mostly commercial projects, think hotels, bars, restaurants and other public spaces. There is also growing demand for these Style panels by private customers who have a larger budget. People like to create a traditional atmosphere combined with a modern twist. When a specific request comes for something bespoke, we first do design drawings. After approval our highly skilled factory team starts production. Houtbedrijf Kerkhofs is very flexible when offering Style Panels. This can be done in unusual dimensions, pattern and wood species. Material can be smoked, brushed or aged (distressed) before the panels are assembled. Finishes such as staining, oiling or lacquering will be done on site. Houtbedrijf Kerkhofs produces Style Panels with great precision care and quality.