Guida Aprile 08

GUIDE TO THE CHOICE OF A HARDWOOD FLOOR

Top left: Oak forest, Burgundy, France.

Top right: Mr. Rousselin, forest expert of Margaritelli France Above: Logs at the Margaritelli sawmill in Fontaines, Burgundy, France.

“

Occasionally, a certain technical problem finds an unexpected solution in an idea nobody had paid attention to before. Wood has always been used for flooring, but this use, however traditional, is not immune to certain inconveniences due to the movements of wood as a result of changes in air humidity.

This problem was often discussed during meetings with the Directors and technicians of the Margaritelli Company.

When I informed them about the results of a series of laboratory tests, they agreed to place their materials and necessary equipment at my disposal to investigate a possible industrial processing. The results of the tests being fully satisfactory, Margaritelli decided to reorganise their production operations, and by doing so, made a brave leap in the dark.

The doubts and fears were soon banished and we were able to assist with the transformation of an idea into an actual product, that, with ceaseless progress, has now been affirmed all over the world.

“ 3

Guglielmo Giordano (1904-2000) University professor and internationally renowned wood specialist and researcher.

Considered one of the most important authorities in the science of wood.

Professor of wood-technology at the University of Florence for over 30 years and advisor

to international organizations such as the UNO, ECE and FAO. In 1954 he founded the National Institute of Wood Research (CNR) and has written several essays for important publications.

In 1983 he led a project, in cooperation with Margaritelli, to develop an innovative wood flooring

system characterized by a new technology.

The new product was patented under the name “Listone Giordano”.

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Solid floor and two layers Tradition versus Innovation

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Listone Giordano Two layers from the wood flooring school of excellence

12

Wood Flooring A history of product types

8

Wood Behaviour of a special raw material

THINGS TO KNOW TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE OF WOOD FLOORING

WOOD

WOOD FLOORING

Solid floor and two layers

LISTONE GIORDANO

Environmental Relationship

Origins and technical evolution

Characteristics of a solid wood floor

Management of the forests and technology

Physical and mechanical characteristics

Differing types

Characteristics of a two layered wood floor

Values and difference

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Wood flooring installed Where to use it

Professional wood flooring Listone Giordano showrooms

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Collection The answer to every need

The Listone Giordano

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THE COLLECTIONS

Professional wood flooring

wood flooring AT HOME

Product Range

OUTLETS

Rooms and usage

Species, grades & finishes

SERVICE

AdviCe and suggestions

5

Above: Intermediate growth stage of the Forest of CĂŽteaux, Burgundy, France.

Left: Oak from Fontaines (Versailles pattern).

Wood: how it reacts Humidity is one of the main causes of the instability of wood.

The secret of high quality wood flooring lies in its fibres.

The ambient climate.

Man has a more immediate perception of temperature than of humidity. Humidity control inside a building is often neglected, resulting in critical conditions for a wooden floor.

In wintertime, the continuous occurrence of heating systems creates very dry atmospheric conditions, which can lead the wood to shrink.

In summertime, vice versa, a higher environmental moisture creates more humid conditions which can cause the wood to swell.

cold air

dry climate

shrinkage 8 Absence of deformation

> 60%

40%

Progressive drying

Shrinkage

32%

8%

Viewed by a microscope

0%

humid climate

warm air

swelling

Wood loses and acquires moisture Wood is a living material, sensitive to the constant changes within its surroundings. It suffers in particular ways to variations in the humidity of the air and adapts itself accordingly to a certain extent. If a piece of wood is placed in a very humid room, it will tend to absorb a part of that humidity. If, however, the same piece of wood is placed in a dry environment, the wood will react in the opposite way, releasing part of the appropriate humidity.

Stability and movement Since wood constantly strives to reach its equilibrium with the environment, it will inevitably make very slow but very real movements that will change its form and dimensions. It is clear that this “behaviour” can create problems when wood is used for the construction of a floor because apart from experiencing normal strong climatic influences, it may even be subjected to water spillages.

Luckily, technology has found the solution to this problem: today wood and stability finally work well together.

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Wood, when desiccating, loses all the available water (lymph) located in the cell cavities.

This happens without causing any deformation.

After this first phase, water within the cell walls will dry.

As a consequence, the weight

of these cell walls will drop and this leads to the characteristic phenomenon of shrinking.

On a macroscopic level, this behaviour creates changes in form and dimensions: the so called “movements of the wood”.

Cupping

Bowing

Springing

Twisting

Wood: how it reacts

A matter of fibres Wood is a typical “anisotropic� material. In simple terms, this means that it has no homogeneous structure and moves in various directions. Since the wood has a parallel fibre structure, its mechanical movements depend on the direction of the fibres. Only a deep knowledge of these aspects allows a technologically rational use of wood.

2

Medullary rays Annual growth rings 1. Axial direction (direction of the fibres) 2. Radial direction (direction of the growth) 3. Tangential direction (tangent of the growth rings)

1 3 The same material can experience different movements depending on the direction of the fibres:

a

a. radial board b. tangential board The movement tendency of the tangential board is twice that of the radial board.

b

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100

100 8

50 5 1

5 2

3

Tendency of movement

1

2

3

Mechanical resistance

In the direction of the fibres (1), the movement of the wood is minimal and the mechanical resistance at a maximum.

In the perpendicular direction of the fibres (2) or (3) the behaviour is the opposite, with the tendency to movement very high and the resistance rather low.

New-found stability Thanks to the compensation of tensions introduced through technical knowledge, wood has a new-found stability. Due to the gluing of several crossed-fibre constructed layers, it is possible to obtain a high technological product with excellent structural performances from a simple natural material. This particular production process has opened up new frontiers in the use of wood even for the most demanding of applications, from aircraft construction to hardwood flooring.

A “two layered�wood floor: the original construction technique counter-balances the tensions in the wood to create equilibrium in the product. The top layer containing longitudinal fibres is more stable thanks to a multi layer support with a prevalence of transversal fibres.

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1

Axial direction

2

Radial direction

3

Tangential direction

The history of wood floor Over the centuries, the history of an art has become a product.

Only in the modern époque has the conflict between functionalism and aesthetics been resolved.

1600’s and 1700’s.

The birth of wood flooring.

The French Royal Court. The wood floor installed in the Palace of Versailles has become famous everywhere and establishing wood flooring as a feature design. Wood, used for ages in dwellings as a simple board, finally received its acclaim as an architectural product.

However, the extremely high cost prohibited wood flooring for all but the privileged few for many years. Listone massello, flooring similar to the type of products used at that time (long, thick wooden boards, tongue & grooved on all four sides, and designed to be nailed to the sub-floor to counter-act their tendency to deform), are still produced to this day.

Versailles Palace (1632).

Note the opulent interior decoration and the splendid wood flooring, created by talented craftsmen, the design now recognised simply as the “Versailles pattern”.

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Listone massello

Mosaic

Lamparquet

1800’s and 1900’s.

Popularisation of wood flooring.

The spread of wood flooring is a recent phenomenon. Growing demand, caused by the urbanisation of the big cities, pushed the industry towards products of simpler construction and installation. The complex fitting process of traditional boards limited their use and this led to the introduction of thinner products to be adhered to the sub-floor. However, solid wood boards could only be made thinner by reducing their dimensions to avoid becoming less stable or subject to “movement”. As a result, Mosaic and Lamparquet became known.

1950/1980. Research for larger dimensions with lower costs.

The rather reduced performance and aesthetic appeal of Mosaic and Lamparquet flooring hastened the research for a solution to obtain an effect similar to a traditional solid wood floor whilst avoiding the associated problems.

This led to the development of Listoncino massello. By slightly increasing the thickness of the board, elements of larger dimensions were created, an easy and economical solution, but one which was still only a compromise.

The real solution was still a long way off.

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Listoncino massello

Floating woodfloor

Listone Giordano

The history of wood floor

Floating wood floor Developed as an answer to the needs of a pre-varnished wood floor that can be fitted with a minimum of fuss even by the final user.

The floating wood floor is typically a product consisting of three counter-balancing layers.

The support base has been milled on all sides to ensure a perfect join upon installation.

Since the support base is quite rigid, it is suitable to be glued to the subfloor but more usually it is simply placed on top of an underlay over the subfloor. As a consequence, in spite of the optimum stability of the product, when the floor is walked on, one could be forgiven for having the impression that the floor is only temporary.

Despite the large size of an individual board, because the top layer consists of small strips, the final aesthetic result is similar to Lamparquet.

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Floating floor consisting of 3 layers with crossed fibres.

The ultimate example of a two layered wood floor, Listone Giordano consists of a wood top layer with a multi-layered marine birch plywood support for improved stability.

very good good reasonable mediocre poor

1983. Birth of Listone Giordano: the two-layered wood flooring In 1983 a new generation of wood flooring evolved, the construction of which consisted of two layers, a wood top layer with a multi-layer support. This was a major revolution within the wood flooring industry in which the new technological concept of a support layer made it possible to have large strips which were both flexible and totally resistant to any possible imperfections. This patented invention, inspired by the technical genius of Prof. Guglielmo Giordano, was the decisive step in an innovative and completely new procedure. Listone Giordano had thus opened a new era for wooden floors.

Listone massello

Mosaic

Lamparquet

Listoncino massello

Floating woodfloor

Listone Giordano

Stability 15

Durability

Practicality

Aesthetics

Above: Margaritelli France, quality control of work in progress.

Left: Plank 190, Oak from Fontaines

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Tradition versus innovation Old and new come face to face in the on-going search for technical solutions.

All in one Until now, solid wood flooring with its extremely simple construction has been the most wide-spread type of wood flooring.

It is also, however, the most problematic, because, more so than with other types of wood flooring, it is likely to lose its original configuration.

The absence of balance makes it particularly sensitive to variations in humidity and, consequently, is more susceptible to deformation.

The larger the dimension of the board, the more susceptible it is.

Furthermore, the fact that the single wood pieces are not linked together, results in a floor that shows differences in the surface level between the strips which reflects the unevenness of the sub-floor. As a consequence, it is necessary to sand and finish the brand new floor after fitting, resulting in an important and immediate reduction in the overall thickness of the wood floor.

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When one becomes two Two-layered wood floor shows innovative characteristics in comparison with solid wood floor. The innovative strip consists of two layers: a wood top layer and a multi-ply support layer which provides exceptional stability, strength and durability thanks to its engineered cross-ply construction.

Milling on all sides of the support layer is carried out with mechanically adjusted millimetre precision resulting in a perfect construction of the tongues and grooves thereby resulting in maximum installed precision and a uniform stability of the floor. As a consequence, there is no need to sand the floor after fitting and thus the hardwood layer remains intact.

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Solid Wood Flooring: Tradition Stability During its lifetime, a wood floor is subjected to two opposing mechanical behaviours.

The upper part that is in contact with the environment suffers variations in humidity and is inclined to deform. The lower part, fixed to the sub-floor resists these environmental factors; therefore, even strips of a solid wood floor, even though indistinguishable because made of the same material, have a lower part that behaves like a support. This is however an improvised support, not purposefully created, and without any rational structure. The direction of the fibres is exactly the opposite of what the mechanical logic of the wood expects.

The result: the lack of a resistant support layer brings about greater instability and an inclination for the wood to deform.

Durability Immediately after fitting. The strips, being rigid and unconnected, suffer from an uneven sub floor reproducing this unevenness on the surface. In order to obtain an even surface, it is necessary to undertake immediate repair work.

This is a very dramatic operation: immediately after installation and almost without being noticed, between 2 to 5 mm of wood disappears.

Does it make sense to make a new floor suffer 20 because of imperfections in the sub floor?

As time goes by.

Wood continuously adapts itself to the climate conditions of the environment and in the worst cases it suffers serious deformations. In order to re-gain the original surface evenness, further sanding, rather severe ones, will be necessary.

Once again several millimetres of wood disappear.

solid wood

Just fitted: an irregular surface.

First sanding: much wood has already been lost.

As time goes by: (a) types of wood floor defects.

Aesthetics Gaps: Not all the thickness of a solid wood floor will be used, and the typical irregularity of the sides can lead to gaps between the strips, even after the first sanding. The operation of filling these gaps may not only be criticised aesthetically, they always remain a temporary solution.

Dirt can accumulate in these gaps and reaction to water ingress creates unsightly black lines.

Reduced dimensions of the strips In a dry climate gaps can also be the result of wood flooring defects. Since a solid floor is more sensitive to variations in humidity, the strips may have very reduced dimensions. In fact, large dimensions and stability compete against each other. One excludes the other.

dfloor

Practicality The fitting of a traditional solid wood floor, especially in habited dwellings, brings certain inconveniences with it. After installation, the wood must adapt to its environment before the first sanding. It can take up to one month before the wood floor can be varnished and used.

Dust and smells that accompany sanding and varnishing can make the initial reaction to a new floor a rather unpleasant one.

Ecology Due to ignorance, a precious and rare hardwood is used as a support for the wood floor, even though it is a completely inadequate material for this function. (b) Following sanding, unsightly gaps which require fitting may appear.

(c) The filler itself can eventually break-down to create new gaps.

(d) Eventually these gaps will become engaged with unwanted dirt.

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Two layered hardwood flooring: an innovation Stability The plywood support base of Listone Giordano with its’ transversal layers laid perpendicularly to the grain of the hardwood top layer is an assurance of maximum stability.

The outstanding mechanical properties of this support base resists the tendency of movements in the hardwood resulting in superb equilibrium and stability in the structure of each single strip.

Durability Immediately after fitting.

Thanks to transversal incisions, the support base is flexible and enables the product to compensate possible unevenness of the sub-floor. The presence of joints on all sides makes it possible to realise a monolithic and perfectly levelled surface from the outset, a real wooden �carpet�. There is no need for an initial first sanding, and as a consequence the top layer remains intact and immediately usable.

Over time.

The structural characteristics of the support minimises defects caused by the climate.

Thanks to the exceptional stability of the product, the surface will remain perfectly level as time passes. Sanding will only be necessary when there is a need to eliminate normal wear and tear from the surface of the floor. This type of wood floor 22 could, therefore, last for more than 100 years.

Two layer

Just fitted: perfect planarity, the entire thickness of the hard wood can be used.

No sanding: the flooring in XPlus versions industrially applied can be walked on immediately.

Minimal sanding: for the flooring in Classico (to be finished on site) a removal of as little as 0.2 mm of hardwood will be enough before varnishing.

Aesthetics The non-deformity properties of the product with its’perfect square-edges reduces the risk of gaps. As a result, fastidious signs due to the use of putty/filler between the strips, are avoided.

A stable product makes it possible to produce larger dimensional boards: longer and larger than the boards of traditional products.

All to the aesthetical advantage of the floor.

Practicality Once again it is the presence of stability that makes it possible to varnish the product using an industrial process, without dust and unpleasant smells.

s

Ecology Each individual layer has its own role to play.

On top, for aesthetics, the finest species of hardwood; below, for technical reasons a resistant, fast growing wood species. In this way a technically superior product has been realised using the correct and rational use of the forests.

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Over time: minimal removal of material (about 0.3mm) entirely restores the original beauty of the floor. A wood floor could last more than 100 years.

Listone Giordano: two layers from the wood flooring school of exc Research into the technical perfection of Listone Giordano began long ago.

In the secular forests of France where the roots of a deep wood culture lie.

From the beginning of the last Century, Margaritelli has been involved with wood and the forest.

This tradition continues each day, consolidated in the Margaritelli saw mill in Fontaines (France), where the company, for many years, has overseen the selection of raw material, mindful of the strict French regulations regarding ecology and the renewal of the forest. In France, the first protective laws date back to the twelfth century when wood

was of vital importance for housing, defence and navigation.

In the magnificent Forest of CĂŽteaux, in the heart 24 of Burgundy, the origins of the oak plantations date back to the first Cistercian monks.

Since the reign of King Louis XIV, the immense French forest heritage has been attended, respected and constantly upgraded

with the formation of an appropriate land register.

The life cycle of the trees in this forest is about 160 years. Each tree is counted, numbered and checked to guarantee the gradual increase of the forest resource.This enables the felling of mature trees each year leaving younger trees space to grow and new trees to be

planted. Thanks to this prudent management, the French forests have achieved a unique result: over the last 100 years, their areas have doubled in size and their volume of raw material has tripled.

Listone Giordano is a result of this culture of knowledge, passion and respect for wood.

cellence.

Left above: Mr. Rousselin Margaritelli’s wood technician at work checking new growth of the trees.

Small photo: young oaks sprout in the forest nursery.

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This side: trees counted and marked in the forest of Citeaux in Burgundy, France.

Listone Giordano: two layers from the wood flooring school of exc Two-layered technology.

A perfect system founded by Margaritelli.

Five millimetres of the finest hardwood species is the result of an accurate selection of the raw material and unique processing technique.

The special sawing method and the innovative drying process results in a material, that, whilst striving for perfection, obtains new values with every step.

HARDWOOD TOP LAYER

SUPPORT AND GIORDANO TECHNOLOGY

26 Right: Because of its extreme resistance, flexibility and durability, birch plywood is also used in the aeronautics industry.

Right from its beginnings birch plywood with a cross grain construction guarantees a maximum of stability to the product.

Five or seven correctly assembled layers assure a product of excellent mechanical properties.

This support base offers great resistance to the natural expansion and contractions of the above hardwood layer.

cellence.

INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL FINISHING FINISHING

The choice is between a hardwearing factoryapplied finish comprising eight coats of a matte lacquer which protects the hardwood floor for years to come or a factory-applied treatment based on a blend of natural oils which enhances the wood, highlighting its beauty whilst protecting the surface.

TRANSVERSAL TRANSVERSAL INCISIONS INCISIONS The presence of suitable incisions in the support base makes it possible to improve the longitudinal flexibility of the product. As a consequence the product will adapt itself perfectly to the sub floor, covering any possible small irregularities of the sub floor.

MICROMETRICAL MICROMETRICAL PRECISION PRECISION Milling is carried out on all sides of each strip with diamond cutting tools.

The micrometrical precision of this milling ensures perfect planimetry of the floor.

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Corona Single 90, DoussiĂŠ Africa

Listone Giordano: two layers that make all the difference To understand the values that make a difference in a double layered wood floor six factors should be considered Stability, precision, reliability, aesthetics, durability and ecology.

1

STABILITY

The mechanical behaviour of a double layered floor is clearly recognisable: the top layer tends to move one way with the support layer resisting it in the opposite direction. To obtain maximum stability it is necessary to intervene and check the movement of both.

Drying In contrast to conventional drying methods, a unique drying procedure (based on thinner blocks) is used for the production of Listone Giordano. This procedure guarantees the correct humidity within the blocks which significantly improves the stability of each strip.

Top layer

Support layer

Listone Giordano minimises the movement.

Listone Giordano improves the resistance.

Raw material The trunks destined to become Listone Giordano are accurately selected.

This is the first important step: better fibre regularity means less deformation.

Only Birch Listone Giordano is made with the support layer only in birch. This wood species from the finest North-European forests, has superior (30% better) mechanical properties than with other species (fir, poplar, etc.) which are widely used for the construction of cheaper plywood.

A specific phenolic glue between the layers assures extreme resistance of the product, even in the most difficult of conditions.

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Major homogeneity High quality drying is a guarantee of stability.

Major resistance Because of the birch support, resistance is increased by 30% and more.

Major impermeability The Birch cross-ply construction bonded together with phenolic glue, guarantees maximum protection against humidity.

Listone Giordano: two layers that make all the difference

2

PRECISION

Micrometrical junctions. The milling of Listone Giordano is carried out to within one hundredth of a millimetre precision.

This makes it possible to obtain a perfect regular and smooth floor surface which will remain unaltered throughout its life.

3

RELIABILITy

Quality control. A technologically complex product is a major achievement but it requires a great deal of attention with every step of the production cycle. Technology and reliability go hand in hand. Therefore, every single piece of Listone Giordano is subject to repetitive and meticulous quality control.

Reliability is not an option.

4

AESTHETICS

Selection. The extraordinary aesthetic results of Listone Giordano are achieved by using strict selection criteria. The subdivision of wood per fibre type and colour tone are scrupulously undertaken to obtain a beautiful and uniform floor.

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A smooth and regular surface is the sign of precision The precision of the junctions can be checked by anyone joining two strips together and rubbing a finger over the surface.

Quality Control Delamination represents a serious risk for a product not undergoing strict and rigorous tests.

Certificate of Quality Listone Giordano Original e Maxi quality is certified by the CTBA of Paris, one of the most prestigious European Research Institutes for wood products.

5

DURABILITy

Thickness. With its 5 mm hardwood surface, as with a solid wood floor, Listone Giordano can be sanded and sealed many times.

Varnish. With its extraordinary resistance to abrasion and incredible flexibility, the factory finish offers Listone Giordano the greatest protection against everyday use.

6

ECOLOGY

Health and surroundings. Respectful of the environment, and mindful of our health, all materials and complimentary products used to produce Listone Giordano are absolutely ecologically friendly, non-toxic and odourless.

1 6 Centre: One of the numerous quality control inspections.

2

5

3 4

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Thickness of the hardwood A 5 mm hardwood surface assures a long life, quite possibly over 100 years.

Resistance to abrasion The highest results are obtained against abrasion using the effective Frick Taber test (frictional sand test).

Flexibility of the varnish The highest results are obtained for flexibility (when tested by the dropping of a ball-bearing).

Ecology The varnish used on Listone Giordano is ecologically friendly and non-toxic.

Plank 190

Listone Giordano Plank 190 combines the old-style, casual comfort of wide planks with advanced flooring technology. For those who want a traditional look with contemporary quality and performance.

Plank 190 Dimensions Total thickness: 16 mm Hardwood top layer: 5 mm Width: 190 mm Mixed lengths: from 1200 to 2400 mm Wood species Oak from Fontaines, Canadian Maple, Cabreuva Km 31, Cabreuva Vermelha, DoussiĂŠ Africa, Teak, Wenge.

Finishes Naturplus*, Natif, Michelangelo**.

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* Available in a selection of timbers and grades only. ** Available in Oak in a range of colour tones.

Plank 190, Oak from Fontaines

Plank 140

Large dimensions emphasise the warmth and natural feeling of a wooden floor.

Listone Giordano Plank 140 combines aesthetic look of the wide planks with the added proven durability of Margaritelli’s two-layered technology.

Developed for those who appreciate antique décor but who also require the reliability of a state-of-the-art wood floor.

Plank 140 Dimensions Total thickness: 14 mm Hardwood top layer: 5 mm Width: 140 mm Mixed lengths: from 1000 to 2000 mm Wood species Oak from Fontaines, Canadian Maple, Cabreuva Km 31, Cabreuva Vermelha, Doussié Africa, Iroko, Lapacho Amarillo, Teak, Wenge.

Finishes Classico (to be finished on site)*, NaturPlus, Natif*, Michelangelo**.

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* Available in a selection of timbers and grades only. ** Available in Oak in a range of colour tones.

Plank 140, Oak from Fontaines

Maxi

Highly aesthetic and durable, Listone Giordano Maxi offers incomparable beauty and top quality performance. The wide dimensions of the strips combined with the finest selection of timber, increases the aesthetic appearance of the floor providing elegance and amplitude to any area.

Maxi Dimensions Total thickness: 14 mm Hardwood top layer: 5 mm Width: 90 mm Mixed lengths: from 490 to 1200 mm Wood species Oak from Fontaines, Maple sycomorus from Fontaines, Steamed Beech from Fontaines, Canadian Maple, Cabreuva Km 31, Cabreuva Vermelha, DoussiĂŠ Africa, Iroko, Lapacho Amarillo, Teak, Wenge.

Finishes XPlus, Natif*.

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* Available in a selection of timbers and grades only.

Maxi, Cabreuva Vermelha

Original

Original is the result of research and development carried out by Prof. Giordano combined with the technology of Margaritelli was successfull in launching a new generation of hardwood flooring worldwide. Listone Giordano Original is the inaugural product incorporating the two-layered wood flooring concept of Margaritelli as the first in a line of products which implements the new support layer technology, providing superb practicality, beauty, durability and non-deformability.

Original Dimensions Total thickness: 11 mm Hardwood top layer: 5 mm Width: 70 mm Mixed lengths: from 350 to 800 mm

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Wood species Oak from Fontaines, Maple sycomorus from Fontaines, Cherry from Fontaines, Steamed Beech from Fontaines, Ash from Fontaines • White, Canadian Maple, Cabreuva Km 31, Cabreuva Vermelha, DoussiÊ Africa, Iroko, Morado, Teak, Wenge.

Finish XPlus, NaturPlus*.

* Available in a selection of timbers and grades only.

Original, Cabreuva Km 31

Corona Single 90

Corona Single 90 combines unrivalled elegance with maximum reliability and stability of Listone Giordano two-layer technology. A hi-tech hardwood floor which offers technical and esthetic values in a reduced thickness.

Corona Single 90 Dimensions Total thickness: 11 mm Hardwood top layer: 3,5 mm Width: 90 mm Mixed lengths: from 490 to 1000 mm Wood species Oak, DoussiĂŠ Africa, Iroko Finish XPlus, Naturplus*

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* Available in a selection of timbers and grades only.

Corona Single 90, DoussiĂŠ Africa

Corona Single 70

All the reliability of Listone Giordano two-layered technology in a reduced thickness to highlight the elegance and natural appearence of wood. Corona Single 70 is manufactured from only the best raw material using the most beautiful woods selected according to strict criteria to preserve the authentic and natural properties of the wood.

Corona Single 70 Dimensions Total thickness: 9,5 mm Hardwood top layer: 3,5 mm Width: 70 mm Mixed lengths: from 350 to 600 mm Wood species Oak, Steamed Beech, Maple sycomorus, Canadian Maple, Cabreuva Km 31, Cabreuva Vermelha, DoussiĂŠ Africa, Iroko, Jatoba, Teak, Wenge.

Finishes XPlus, Natif*.

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* Available in a selection of timbers and grades only.

Corona Single 70, Jatoba

Wood Species

Oak from Fontaines

Maple from Fontaines

Cherry from Fontaines

botanical name Quercus petraea Quercus pedunculata

botanical name Acer pseudoplatanus (sycomorus)

botanical name Prunus avium

origin Europe - France

origin Europe - France

origin Europe - France

sensitivity to light Good stability of colour

sensitivity to light Good stability of colour

sensitivity to light Good stability of colour

hardness Very hard

hardness Hard

hardness Hard

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Special characteristics In this species the peculiarity of the strips obtained from a perfect radial cut is highlighted by the presence of the typical “mirror-effect�.

Steamed Beech from Fontaines

Ash from Fontaines•White

Canadian Maple

Cabreuva Km 31

botanical name Fagus sylvatica

botanical name Fraxinus excelsior

botanical name Acer saccharum

botanical name Mirocarpus frondosus

origin Europe - France

origin Europe - France

origin North America - Canada

origin South America (Paraguay-Brazil-Argentina)

sensitivity to light Good stability of colour

sensitivity to light Good stability of colour

sensitivity to light Good stability of colour

sensitivity to light Good stability of colour

45 hardness Very Hard

hardness Very hard Special characteristics White Ash from Fontaines is made using with naturally coloured pigments applied on the wood surface.

hardness Very hard

hardness Extremely hard Special characteristics Variation of colour underlines its natural look.

Wood Species

Cabreuva Vermelha

DoussiĂŠ Africa

Iroko

Jatoba

botanical name Myroxilon balsamum

botanical name Afzelia pachyloba

botanical name Clorophora excelsa

botanical name Hymenaea courbaril

origin South America (Paraguay Brazil-Argentina-PerĂš)

origin Central West Africa

origin Central West Africa

origin South America - Brazil

sensitivity to light Good stability of colour

sensitivity to light Subject to colour variation

sensitivity to light Subject to colour variation

sensitivity to light Subject to colour variation

hardness Extremely hard

hardness Extremely hard

hardness Hard

hardness Very hard

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Special characteristics The variety of extractives present in this species can, with oxidation, lead to different colour changes between strips that were originally similar exposing traces of silica originally present in the wood species.

Lapacho Amarillo

Morado

Teak

Wenge

botanical name Tabebuja serratifolia

botanical name Machaerium scleroxylon tul.

botanical name Tectona grandis

botanical name Millettia laurentii

origin South America - Bolivia

origin South America - Bolivia

origin Asia

origin Central West Africa

sensitivity to light Subject to colour variation

sensitivity to light Subject to colour variation

sensitivity to light Subject to colour variation

sensitivity to light Subject to colour variation

hardness Extremely hard

hardness Extremely hard

hardness Very hard

hardness Extremely hard

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Grades and finishes Elegance and naturalness are two main features of the wood matter. The rigour with which Margaritelli selects the final product distinguishes every installation of Listone Giordano with uniformity and beauty. A sheer choice of beauty which perfectly mirrors individual taste and lifestyle.

elegant

dekora

48 Elegant Varied grain figure except Oak which is generally a regular grain.

Possible presence of small knots in some wood species.

Dekora Varied grain and colour tone with the presence of small knots characteristic of individual species.

Ideal for rooms that have elegant and uniform dĂŠcor.

Ideal for a welcoming rustic environment.

In addition to the factory applied XPlus, NaturPlus and DuraPlus finishes, that ensure a long lasting, safe and practical maintenance, Listone Giordano launched the Natif finish, based on special vegetable oil treatment that protects the wood whilst enhancing its natural aspect.

Michelangelo combines wide planks with the elegance of vegetable oil finish and naturally coloured pigments. All Listone Giordano finishes are environmentally friendly, non-toxic and odourless.

49 XPlus

DuraPlus

Michelangelo

8-layered, factory-applied matt satin finish, with extraordinary resistance to abrasion.

A durable, highly resistant factory-applied varnish suitable for commercial areas such as offices, public areas subject to heavy traffic.

Special treatment based on vegetable oils, highlighting the beauty and authenticity of the hardwood flooring in its natural aspect.

NaturPlus The special finish which enhances the natural appearance of wood.

It is combined with a brushed or smooth surface treatment.

Natif Pre-finished with natural oils.

The flooring can be customized with the Oleo range of maintenance products.

Profession: Wood Flooring

La sicurezza di un lavoro eseguito a regola d’arte nasce dalla combinazione del miglior prodotto con il miglior se La fascia blu e il marchio verde Listone Giordano identifi sale mostra attrezzate e personale altamente qualificato qui professionalità , competenza e cortesia sono di casa.

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The certainty that a job will be duly carried out depends on a combination of the best product with the best service.

Listone Giordano is synomimous with wide range of products and skilful and professional sales people, which ensure quality service during and after installation.

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Profession: Parquet Flooring Today, the Listone Giordano “Alliance“ represents an identification of the best quality products with the most respected dealers and unites hundreds of outlets and top professionals in Italy and worldwide.

PARIS, LONDON, BARCELONA, ATHENS, MADRID, BRUSSELS, VIENNA, A “nature-reserve“ of technology Listone Giordano showrooms are in a different league, where the complete Margaritelli product range is introduced through an efficient, stylish and easy-to-understand display system. Many different flooring products are available to look at, to touch and to test, together with comprehensive literature and a qualified customer service. Here you will find everything to make your choice of a new wood floor easy and understandable.

Professional services - Qualified technical advice and guidance - Estimates and quotations - Installation by specialised professionals *The range of ousterner services may vary according to the asset of each outlet.

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MUNICH, MILAN, FLORENCE, ROME, TORONTO, NEW YORK, BEIJING Customer care Professional advice and assistance will be provided “every step of the way“. Qualified personnel are available for on-site inspection, with temperature and moisture testing of the site. Accessories and other complimentary products are also available.

Maintenance Cleaning and maintenance products complement the Listone Giordano range.

53 Plus range Specific cleaning and maintenance products for Listone Giordano varnished hardwood floor (XPlus, DuraPlus, NaturPlus). Deterplus, mild detergent for daily cleaning, and Vitaplus protective an regenerating product for periodical use.

Sigilplus and Puliplus, for professional use only, complement the range.

Oleo range Specific cleaning and maintenance products based on natural oils for Natif and Michelangelo finished floors.

Oleonetto is the mild detergent for daily use, Oleovivo is the dedicated product for periodical maintenance.

Oleo clean and maintenance products are easy to be applied and for a long lasting life of the

natural finished wood floor.

Un pavimento in legno

54

Plank 190, Wenge

55

Wood floor at home: where to use it

Bedroom

Bathroom

Kitchen

Living Room

Entrance hall

56 Advice Rugs should be removed from time to time: the colour of the wood, tropical timbers in particular, tend to darken as a consequence of reaction to air and light.

Leaving a rug on the same spot for a long time may create

an area with a lighter colour tone. Heavy furniture can leave marks. It is advisable to secure felt pads to chairs/tables etc.

Any furniture on castors should be covered with rubber.

Entrance hall

Maxi, Cabreuva Km 31

The entrance hall is a passage-way in direct contact with the outside and as such undergoes frequent use with the introduction of dirt, grit etc.

It is adviseable to clean the soles of shoes when entering the home, you will be repaid with the long lasting beauty of your floor.

57 It is important to check the correct climate of the room.

The perfect conditions for wood, are also preferable for man: a temperature of about 20째C and relative humidity of about 50%. The simple use of small basin humidifiers on radiators are usually sufficient to obtain these conditions.

Underfloor heating Listone Giordano, thanks to its thickness (limited thermic resistance) and its stability, is ideal for a floor with the modern concept of under floor heating (low temperature).

Wood floor at home: where to use it Living Room

Maxi, Doussié Africa

The shape and dimensions of this room make it possible to choose from a wide range of wood species. Designs can vary from the classic “herringbone“, the elegant “Hungarian pattern“ to the simplest design that extols the refineries

of the finest wood and gives a room a sense of elegance and spaciousness. Large dimensional strips such as Listone Giordano Maxi and Plank are well suited to larger areas.

Daily cleaning Use a “soft broom” or vacuum cleaner to remove dirt, grit, etc. to keep the floor surface in proper conditions.

Thorough cleaning For more trough cleaning dilute a small quantity of Deterplus or Oleonetto according to the hardwood floor finishing (varnished, wax or oil finished) recommended to clean the whole surface using a well wrung out damp cloth.

58

Kitchen

Plank 140, Teak

It might seem contradictory to lay a parquet floor in a kitchen but this is an unfounded prejudice.

Modern production methods allow the installation of wood flooring in any room of the house, regardless of its function and without the worry that it might deteriorate.

For total protection against water spillages, the use of Sigilplus is recommended. This exclusive product should be applied immediately after installation to penetrate the joints of the wood floor making the floor water-repellent.

59 Warning Do not use ammonia-based products: although they won’t damage the floor they can make the varnish opaque.

Periodical maintenance Performed at regular intervals.

Frequency depends on how much the floor is used. Regular use of Vitaplus or Oleovivo protects the beauty of the floor for many years.

Wood floor at home: where to use it Bathroom

Plank 140, Michelangelo Biancospino

Like the kitchen, the bathroom is normally covered with alternative types of flooring to wood, with the choice limited to colour and decoration of the interior.

Listone Giordano with Sigilplus

60 Small accidents Listone Giordano offers the same serenity as with other types of floorcoverings.

Small daily accidents like the spillage of water shouldn’t create problems if removed reasonably quickly.

treatment now offers a valid alternative; a water-repellent wood floor that remains beautiful throughout the years.

You can now enjoy the warmth of wood in a room you never thought possible.

Bedroom

Plank 140, Oak from Fontaines

The most popular room for wood flooring.

All Listone Giordano timbers and finishes are suitable for bedroom use and because dust finds it almost impossible to penetrate

the precision of the joints, cleaning is easy.

Enjoy one of the delights of a wood floor, the freedom and pleasure to walk barefoot.

61 Sigilplus Especially developed for varnished floors: XPlus, DuraPlus, NaturPlus.

Not suitable for use with Natif and Plank NaturPlus brushed (but suitable for NaturPlus smooth). Recommended for all wood species, but essential on Maple, Beech, Cherry and Ash. Designed to penetrate the joints of the floor, making top and side junctions water-repellent.

Listone Giordano, color and oxidation The changing colour of wood is a natural and inevitable phenomenon that originates from two permanent elements: light and air.

The colour of wood is a characteristic that changes over time: exposure to light and air brings about changes in the colour of the fibres and its substances.

In general, a real photo-chemical reaction of oxidation takes place, caused particularly by the ultraviolet rays of natural light. This chromatic alteration will be more or less intense depending on the presence of extractives in the wood: the bigger the presence the more intense the change.

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The colour of wood does not only depend on the colour of the wood fibres which in all species are yellowishwhite. It also depends on substances that are present in the fibres without being part of them, the so called extractives. When these extractives are colourless, the wood will have a yellowish-white colour tone.

When the extractives are not colourless, the colour of wood will at least be influenced by them.

Wood species from more moderate climates, like European timbers, also undergo this oxidation reaction but, because of the difference in quantity and quality of the extractives, the variations in colour that they undergo are less intense.

Species such as Oak, Beech, Maple, Ash and Cherry, tend to acquire a surface patina and gain a warmer colour tone as time passes.

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Because of the higher presence of extractives in the tropical woods, these species are particularly subject to chromatic changes which usually evolve to a dark brown colour tone. Iroko, and DoussiĂŠ are some of the species that have a strongly marked variation in colour tone.

DoussiĂŠ in particular can show very strong and quick oxidation. On the contrary Teak and Morado are characterised by a different phenomenon: unlike the other tropical wood species, they tend to homogenise to a middleclear tone.

63

Certifications

CERTIFICATO CIsQ-ICILA N˚ 02 CERTIFICATO IQNet N˚ I T-35677 OhsAs 18001:1999

ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certification.

PEFC Certification of the chain of custody that guarantees the provenance of products from forests managed in an ecologically sustainable manner.

Solvent-free No emission of solvents, as resulting from the analyses conducted on Listone Giordano by the SERECO BIOTEST chemical laboratory.

64

ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certification.

OHSAS 18001 Health and Safety Management System Conformance Certification.

FSC Certification of provenance from forests managed according to strict environmental, social and economic standards.

Quality certificate Listone Giordano Original and Maxi quality is certified by the CTBA of Paris, one of the most prestigious European centres for research on wood.

Formaldehyde Full compliance with the class E1 limits of the German Law G.U. BGA 11.10.1991 n°34, as resulting from the analyses conducted by the CATAS Research Centre on the Listone Giordano Original and Maxi.

Customer Information

Subfloor condition:

Installation over underfloor heating:

• All subfloors must be dry and free from dirt and contamination.

• Listone Giordano can be installed over underfloor central heating provided that the floor surface temperature does not exceed 27°C and the subfloor must be dry.

• The subfloor must be levelled to no more than a 3 mm gap showing under a 3 metre straight edge.

• When measured with a hygrometer, it is reasonable to recommend that the concrete be considered dry when the relative humidity is 75% or less (maximum limit of 2% CM for concrete soil, 0.4 % CM for anhydrite subfloor). Risks of infiltration should be carefully avoided.

Types of subfloor: • Solid bases: a damp proof membrane must have been installed prior to fitting a Listone Giordano floor and the surface of the base should be left slightly rough to ensure adequate adherence of the adhesive.

• Wooden floorboards: must be firm, free from rot, level and have no movement ie. no creaking (minimum should be nailed over the floorboards to create a level surface for Listone Giordano to be installed onto).

There should be adequate ventilation under the floorboards.

• Chipboard: The chipboard surface must be flat, smooth and of a moisture resistant flooring grade.

• If the underfloor heating is new it must have been commissioned and running for 3 weeks and then switched off 48 hours.

Prior to installing Listone Giordano, it is compulsory to measure that relative humidity must be 75% or less (should not exceed the maximum limit of 1.7% CM).

• 48 hours after installation, the heating must be turned on and gradually brought up to normal working temperature over 5-7 days. An alternative dry source of heat must be provided whilst installation is in progress to ensure a constant room temperature of 18-21°C. Installation over existing hard floorcoverings: • Listone Giordano can be laid over existing hard floorcoverings such as ceramic tiles and marble etc. provided that the existing floorcovering is firmly secured to the subfloor and that the surface of the floorcovering is clean ie. any surface residue has been removed. If necessary the surface should be “roughened“ to create suitable adherence conditions. (Any hard floorcoverings laid directly to earth such as quarry tiles, must incorporate a damp proof membrane).

Installation of Listone Giordano range should commence only: • After completion of all carpentry, masonry, plumbing and electrical work.

• After all exterior windows and doors have been installed.

• After the walls and ceilings have been painted and dried.

Wallpapering walls and ceilings can be done after the floor installation, but the floor should be well covered and protected.

• After a full check of the temperature and moisture content where Listone Giordano is to be installed has been satisfactorily completed. After installation, rooms should be maintained at a temperature between 15°C-25°C with the humidity of the atmosphere between 45%-65%.

For further information, please contact your nearest Listone Giordano showroom.

Further comprehnsive technical literature is available upon request.

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Information on hardwood flooring Wood is a “living material”, therefore changes in shape and colour are a natural and inevitable phenomena originating from exterior elements, such as light, air, temperature, humidity and daily use (wear and tear).

It is important to be aware that: • Colour change in hardwood flooring is a natural characteristic.

The colour of hardwood flooring depends not only on the colour of the wood fibres, but also on particular substances known as extractives which change due to exposure to light and air.

Because of the greater presence of extractives in tropical woods, these species are particularly prone to chromatic changes and usually evolve into a dark brown colour tone. Iroko and Doussié are two species that can experience a strongly marked variation in colour tone, and Doussié in particular can show localized phenomenon of rapid and intense oxidation even on boards originally of the same colour tone. Under these specific conditions known as “oxidation reaction”, traces of silica, where are a natural part of the structure of wood, can become more evident.

On the contrary the colour variety of Teak tends to homogenise to a middle-clear tone when exposed to light.

• Strips from a perfect radial section of a log in some species (in particular Oak and Beech) feature straight grains and typical silver figures, the so called “Medullary ray”. This type of graining emphasizes the quality and the value of the wood.

In addition to the aesthetical appearance, regularity of the fibres is an indication of better technical performances (stability and impermeability).

• During its lifetime wood is in contact with the environment and suffers from variations in humidity and temperature and as a result 66 is inclined to distort and adapt in form and dimension.

To achieve satisfactory installation, rooms should be maintained at an ideal temperature between 15º C - 30º C with the humidity of the atmosphere between 45% - 65%.

• Despite the improved stability attained because of the multi layer support, very dry atmospheric conditions can lead the wood to shrink and lead to tiny gaps between wood strips.

This phenomenon is reversible in correct climatic conditions.

On the contrary, higher environmental moisture produces stress and alterations in the wood structure and in the worst cases this can create micro-fractures on the top hardwood layer.

To avoid this kind of problem installation should commence only after the temperature and atmospheric moisture content has been checked. After installation the temperature of the room should be maintained at the recommended levels .

• The varnish on the hardwood surface has a protective function, but depending on traffic intensity, wear and tear on the floor can produce a certain degree of opacity of the varnish.

• The individual hardness of wood differs from species to species but all timbers processed to become hardwood floors are suitable for this application. Surface indentations may arise in even the hardest of woods if the hardwood floor is subjected to knocks, falling objects, stiletto heels etc…As hardwood flooring is a product of nature, these indentations must not be considered as defects within the floor.

• Wood is not characterised by uniformity-regularity typical of synthetic material, two hardwood floors of the same timber will never have an identical aesthetic appearance. Therefore a few sample strips can only represent an illustration or general idea of the final aesthetic result and cannot fully comply with the finished hardwood floor. The phenomena above described belong to the hardwood floor nature therefore can not be considered in any way defects.

All contents are exclusively owned by Margaritelli Spa. All rights are reserved. It is strictly forbidden to reproduce all or part of these contents herein without authorization.

MIRALDUOLO, PERUGIA, APRIL 2008, SEVENth EDITION Non binding document. Please check the current price list for specific details. Margaritelli Spa reserves the right to change at any time and without notice, the characteristics of the products quoted in this edition.

Margaritelli Spa I-06089 Miralduolo di Torgiano (PG)

This publication has been created by Margaritelli Spa Images bcpt associati, Perugia, Italy art direction Marco Tortoioli Ricci Graphics Andrea Filippucci Wording and paging up Margaritelli Spa Pictures Iriscolor, Perugia - Paolo Tramontana

Listone Giordano is a brand of Margaritelli Group