Many homes and businesses avoid having a wood floor installation because they wrongly assume that it will be a lengthy, messy and disruptive process – more like a building project than an interior design project. However, with the right installer and choice of flooring, it need be no more disruptive or messy than having a carpet fitted. Here's Naturally Wood's five step guide to fuss free wood floor installation.
Naturally Wood – click here for full information on our range of products and services.
1. Get Expert Advice Before You Start
Naturally Wood offers free consultation which includes not just selecting samples, but assessing the room and existing floor to be fitted. This means we have the full picture of what the project will involve and can give advance warning of any likely problems that might affect the fitting process.
Our experts will also be able to give very accurate estimate of time needed to fit, based on the room size and type of flooring, which enables better planning and means there is less risk of disruption going on longer than planned.
As part of the consultation, we will also look at your existing flooring and subfloor to assess the suitability of the particular flooring chosen. Wherever possible, we will look under the existing flooring at the subfloor.
A wood floor installation in an average-sized room could typically be carried out within as little as one or two days, provided that the subfloor is suitable for pre-finished flooring, laid in a simple, floating system.
2. Choose an Expert Fitter
Expertise means speed as well as quality of service. By choosing fitters who have experience and knowledge about wooden flooring, you will avoid delays due to a variety of issues such as workers not having the right tools with them, or having lack of experience with a particular laying technique.
Naturally Wood has many years of expertise and a team of fitters who will make sure the project goes smoothly. It is especially important that a fitter knows the flooring concerned, as each type of flooring needs to be fitted in a particular way with the right fitting technique, and adhesives, so it is best if fitter works for the flooring supplier and knows the product, as with Naturally Wood.
3. Choose Prefinished or Unfinished Flooring
Fitting is just one stage of the process of laying a wood floor. Any additional treatments such as staining, oiling or lacquering, take time and can be messy.
Choosing flooring which is ready to walk on once laid cuts out this stage and means the room can be returned to use immediately, so going for this option can save days of time. No on-site finishing also means there are no fumes or smells to be avoided.
Naturally Wood's Creations range is a selection of fully prefinished floors in a choice of beautiful colours and textures, all of which can be fitted in a short time. With our in-house finishing department, we offer a bespoke service for prefinishing floors, including floors in our Fusion and Endurance ranges. This means your floor can be tailor-made for you but still be laid in the shortest time possible and without a mess.
4. Clean and Clear the Room In Advance
Clearing the room ready for fitting is the biggest job for the home or business owner – this has to be done for carpet fitting too. We normally require a room to be completely clear of all furniture before our arrival. If there are large items which can't be removed from the room, it would be possible to work around these, but this would carry issues with regard to finishing on site, as a single floor could have to be done in sections to allow for moving furniture around the room, with consequential additional costs. This can be advised on when our Surveyor visits the site.
The more de-cluttering and cleaning you can do before installation, the less you will have to do on the day. Empty cupboards and bookshelves, ready for removal, and put small furniture and objects elsewhere. You also need to have a plan for moving the larger items, deciding where are they going to be moved to, and having someone on hand to help with lifting. Existing flooring such as carpet and laminate should be removed before Naturally Wood's fitters arrive, but if necessary we can do it as part of our service, at an additional cost.
5. Organise the Home or Business' Occupants
It is a good idea to have as few people as possible around during a wood floor installation, and if it is a home installation, to keep all pets well out of the way too. Make arrangements for them to be elsewhere, or set up other rooms in the house where they can be out of the way and comfortable. Owners can either leave us to it completely or have somebody around during installation as a contact point. With regard to safety, the finishes we use have been thoroughly tested and meet British Standards, and we take every precaution to keep dust and fumes to a minimum, but advice is given on a job-by-job basis, depending on the processes involved.
The most important action you can take to ensure the fitting goes smoothly is to make sure that the room is clear for the craftsmen to work in, especially if hand-finishing is being carried out on site.
Wood Flooring – click here to discuss your requirements.
Thursday 25 July 2013
Tuesday 23 July 2013
Bespoke Parquet Flooring – Turning a Design Classic into Cutting Edge Interior Design
Parquet flooring has been around a long time and is now a design classic, often associated with older, more traditional properties. While many love this look, others are looking for flooring which feels more contemporary and works with modern interior design trends. Naturally Wood's range of Palladio Parquet flooring encompasses such a wide range of timbers and designs that clients can now achieve just about any effect they may require, creating distinctive flooring to suit properties both old and new. Here we look at a few of the most popular current design trends and consider what type of parquet would help to complement each one.
Palladio Parquet Flooring – Explore our Palladio range here
Light and Airy
Pale colours suit a lot of contemporary furnishings, creating a neutral and minimalist feel. If traditional mid or dark-toned parquet doesn't give the right feel to go with a light and modern look, then pale parquet flooring alternatives are easily available. For instance, you could choose Canadian Maple for a very pale look, perhaps in a natural-looking single basket weave design.
Another popular choice is French Oak Rustic 1 Distressed, for slightly darker creamy/neutral tones, where a herringbone design could help to create the desired effect. The selected method of finishing your floor, perhaps with a white or grey oil, can help to give the design of your room a very contemporary, airy and light feel.
Dark and Dramatic
Dark wood flooring is very popular and can help to create a sense of drama, for instance in a dining room or even a living room. This type of flooring can be offset by light furniture such as cream sofas and rugs, or you could go for matching dark wood furniture. A dark floor is also a great backdrop for more vibrant colours, such as red or turquoise.
Wenge is one example of a dark floor which has a rich traditional look, while American Black Walnut features a more dramatic grain – both available in our Palladio Parquet range.
Warmth
A very minimalist decor can feel cold and often home and business interior designers want to add warmth, but without having to add in strong colours. A warm-coloured floor can achieve this in a subtle way, still appearing neutral but taking away from the coldness of, for example, a room which is in clinical grey and white. Types of flooring you might want to consider to add warmth to a room include the golden tones of French Oak Distressed Rustic 1, which has different shades of light gold, giving a traditional country flavour, or Merbau, which has richer reddish tones.
Simple But Not Plain
If you are looking for flooring which is minimal but not too plain, then parquet strip offers design simplicity with just as much interest from the grain as desired. For instance, European Oak Quarter Sawn gives a very fine, smooth look - but the grain prevents it looking too bare. Alternatively, European Oak Rustic Extra features a strong grain and texture, giving a very natural and modern look.
Borders
Borders to your floor are a big trend for 2013/14, including painted borders. Parquet borders are a great alternative, adding distinction to a finished floor, and they are more permanent than paint. Our borders can be supplied in any combination of species of wood and in random lengths. One attractive and unusual Palladio Parquet border, the 2 Line Maple, Sipo Mahogany & Oak Feature Border, features three beautiful woods, all with different colours, which would make a great contrast with a plainer style of floor.
Wide Plank
Another trend currently growing in popularity is wide planks, which give a more expansive and open feel, creating a less "busy" design. Some Palladio Parquet strips are available in widths of up to 210mm and in random lengths. One type of flooring which features wide planks is European Oak Rustic Extra.
Family Friendly
Many property owners are looking for up-to-the-minute design appeal, while still wanting to have a floor which is practical for everyday family life. The good news is that parquet is very durable, as all hardwood flooring is, and is easy to keep clean compared to carpets and rugs, which can harbour dirt. Parquet floors are also more durable and not prone to chipping like laminate.
Another advantage is that the parquet pattern will take the focus away from any areas of damage or dirt, so a new wooden floor stays looking good without having to be constantly cleaned. Patterns to choose from include a number of basket weaves, chevrons, herringbone and double herringbone. A distressed finish further minimises the effects of everyday wear and tear, while a mid tone or dark finish will be more tolerant to marks and dirt. One design which is the perfect example of this is Palladio Parquet Herringbone French Oak Rustic 1 Thermo Unfinished in which the colour permeates right through the wood; here the contrasting dark shades and grain, ensures the floor will stay looking good for many years to come with minimal maintenance.
Solid wood flooring – click here for more details on our range of products.
Palladio Parquet Flooring – Explore our Palladio range here
Light and Airy
Pale colours suit a lot of contemporary furnishings, creating a neutral and minimalist feel. If traditional mid or dark-toned parquet doesn't give the right feel to go with a light and modern look, then pale parquet flooring alternatives are easily available. For instance, you could choose Canadian Maple for a very pale look, perhaps in a natural-looking single basket weave design.
Another popular choice is French Oak Rustic 1 Distressed, for slightly darker creamy/neutral tones, where a herringbone design could help to create the desired effect. The selected method of finishing your floor, perhaps with a white or grey oil, can help to give the design of your room a very contemporary, airy and light feel.
Dark and Dramatic
Dark wood flooring is very popular and can help to create a sense of drama, for instance in a dining room or even a living room. This type of flooring can be offset by light furniture such as cream sofas and rugs, or you could go for matching dark wood furniture. A dark floor is also a great backdrop for more vibrant colours, such as red or turquoise.
Wenge is one example of a dark floor which has a rich traditional look, while American Black Walnut features a more dramatic grain – both available in our Palladio Parquet range.
Warmth
A very minimalist decor can feel cold and often home and business interior designers want to add warmth, but without having to add in strong colours. A warm-coloured floor can achieve this in a subtle way, still appearing neutral but taking away from the coldness of, for example, a room which is in clinical grey and white. Types of flooring you might want to consider to add warmth to a room include the golden tones of French Oak Distressed Rustic 1, which has different shades of light gold, giving a traditional country flavour, or Merbau, which has richer reddish tones.
Simple But Not Plain
If you are looking for flooring which is minimal but not too plain, then parquet strip offers design simplicity with just as much interest from the grain as desired. For instance, European Oak Quarter Sawn gives a very fine, smooth look - but the grain prevents it looking too bare. Alternatively, European Oak Rustic Extra features a strong grain and texture, giving a very natural and modern look.
Borders
Borders to your floor are a big trend for 2013/14, including painted borders. Parquet borders are a great alternative, adding distinction to a finished floor, and they are more permanent than paint. Our borders can be supplied in any combination of species of wood and in random lengths. One attractive and unusual Palladio Parquet border, the 2 Line Maple, Sipo Mahogany & Oak Feature Border, features three beautiful woods, all with different colours, which would make a great contrast with a plainer style of floor.
Wide Plank
Another trend currently growing in popularity is wide planks, which give a more expansive and open feel, creating a less "busy" design. Some Palladio Parquet strips are available in widths of up to 210mm and in random lengths. One type of flooring which features wide planks is European Oak Rustic Extra.
Family Friendly
Many property owners are looking for up-to-the-minute design appeal, while still wanting to have a floor which is practical for everyday family life. The good news is that parquet is very durable, as all hardwood flooring is, and is easy to keep clean compared to carpets and rugs, which can harbour dirt. Parquet floors are also more durable and not prone to chipping like laminate.
Another advantage is that the parquet pattern will take the focus away from any areas of damage or dirt, so a new wooden floor stays looking good without having to be constantly cleaned. Patterns to choose from include a number of basket weaves, chevrons, herringbone and double herringbone. A distressed finish further minimises the effects of everyday wear and tear, while a mid tone or dark finish will be more tolerant to marks and dirt. One design which is the perfect example of this is Palladio Parquet Herringbone French Oak Rustic 1 Thermo Unfinished in which the colour permeates right through the wood; here the contrasting dark shades and grain, ensures the floor will stay looking good for many years to come with minimal maintenance.
Solid wood flooring – click here for more details on our range of products.
Monday 24 June 2013
Bespoke Prefinished Flooring is Here
The demand for prefinished flooring has been steadily growing over the past few years and is set to be a major flooring trend for 2013/14. To accommodate this demand, Naturally Wood has just opened its new on-site prefinishing unit which offers a wide range of flooring treatments, to provide tailor-made flooring ready for installation.
The Appeal of Prefinished Flooring
The key benefit of prefinished flooring from Naturally Wood is the greater choice and exclusivity it offers, enabling our clients to choose textures, colours and finishes to their exact specifications, rather than being limited by the range produced by the manufacturer.
Other benefits include greater consistency of design as our quality control checks are made stringently. In addition, this type of flooring is quicker to install, with less mess made on site, so disruption is kept to a minimum. This is ideal not only for homes, but for businesses too, as the management doesn’t have to shut up shop, or provide alternative routes for staff and customers, for extended periods of time.
It is not just the end client that benefits from prefinished flooring, but also contractors and interior designers. With prefinished flooring, an interior designer can get agreement on the exact flooring and texture, before the product is delivered, leading to greater customer satisfaction; while a contractor benefits from faster installation times.
In previous years, these advantages were also accompanied by limitations. Prefinished meant ‘off the shelf’, so the choice was restricted to the styles and colours that manufacturers could be confident of selling. Anything outside the norm was harder to get as manufacturers were more likely to stick to the popular, mainstream flooring styles. Having something bespoke, or simply a little unusual, meant the flooring had to be hand finished on site by specialists and this became a lengthy and expensive business. Naturally Wood’s onsite prefinishing unit not only gives wider flooring options, but it also helps cut the cost of bespoke flooring.
Naturally Wood Brings You Bespoke Prefinished Flooring
With Naturally Wood’s prefinishing unit, all the advantages of prefinishing are available, with as much design choice as a client could want. The variations include a vast choice of colour, three elements of texture (brushed, bandsawn, and distressedt), a variety of surface finishes, as well as staining and fumed/smoked choices. This bespoke service is in addition to our new Creations range of 36 textured and coloured prefinished floors.
Prefinished Flooring Trends for 2013/14
Here are some of the current flooring trends for 2013/14, showing how access to a bespoke prefinishing unit will help customers achieve these trends more easily.
Variety – Almost a ‘non trend’, this trend sees customers looking for innovation and originality, rather than copying a few set colours or styles of flooring. This means that while some customers are looking for very pale, blond flooring, just as many want dramatic, dark flooring, and many want neutral mid-tones or colours.
Exotic Woods – While Oak will never go out of fashion, there is an increasing interest in exotic woods such as Wenge, Merbau, Teak and Jatoba, which stems from the desire for variety and originality. The interest in the exotic is also fuelled by increased availability of these woods from ethical sources, , promoting sustainable forest management. However, finding the exotic wood flooring you want that is also in the width, type and finish you require, can be harder work. With Naturally Wood’s bespoke prefinishing unit, getting the colour you desire means this is no longer a limitation.
Reduced Shine – The high gloss trend of five years ago has receded and now there is a move towards more natural looking materials. In flooring this means a preference for oiling, waxing or matt lacquers, rather than super shiny lacquering. Bespoke finishing allows customers to get exactly the right level of gloss (or not) that they want, regardless of the timber type or other treatments.
Durability and Convenience – Customers are increasingly looking for long termvalue, rather than a quick flooring option to be replaced in a few years’ time. However, they also want quick and easy installation. This is exactly what our prefinishing unit provides - hardwood flooring that lasts for decades, but is produced in a form that is ready to walk upon immediately after installation.
Wider Planks – There is a general move towards wider planked floors and this gives an older, more traditional look. In addition to wider planks, customers also want an aged or distressed texture to accent this. Bespoke prefinishing provides this as it allows the customer to choose the width of the plank they like from our range, and then it is treated with the right level of ageing/distressing for their project.
Setting the Trends
Bespoke prefinished flooring allows clients, architects and interior designers to design their own flooring to suit their requirements because they are no longer limited to what is available off the shelf. Rather than having to follow flooring trends set by the manufacturers, our customers can set their own trends, without having to endure the expense, unpredictability, and long installation times of a bespoke site-finished floor.
Prefinished Flooring – click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products.
The Appeal of Prefinished Flooring
The key benefit of prefinished flooring from Naturally Wood is the greater choice and exclusivity it offers, enabling our clients to choose textures, colours and finishes to their exact specifications, rather than being limited by the range produced by the manufacturer.
Other benefits include greater consistency of design as our quality control checks are made stringently. In addition, this type of flooring is quicker to install, with less mess made on site, so disruption is kept to a minimum. This is ideal not only for homes, but for businesses too, as the management doesn’t have to shut up shop, or provide alternative routes for staff and customers, for extended periods of time.
It is not just the end client that benefits from prefinished flooring, but also contractors and interior designers. With prefinished flooring, an interior designer can get agreement on the exact flooring and texture, before the product is delivered, leading to greater customer satisfaction; while a contractor benefits from faster installation times.
In previous years, these advantages were also accompanied by limitations. Prefinished meant ‘off the shelf’, so the choice was restricted to the styles and colours that manufacturers could be confident of selling. Anything outside the norm was harder to get as manufacturers were more likely to stick to the popular, mainstream flooring styles. Having something bespoke, or simply a little unusual, meant the flooring had to be hand finished on site by specialists and this became a lengthy and expensive business. Naturally Wood’s onsite prefinishing unit not only gives wider flooring options, but it also helps cut the cost of bespoke flooring.
Naturally Wood Brings You Bespoke Prefinished Flooring
With Naturally Wood’s prefinishing unit, all the advantages of prefinishing are available, with as much design choice as a client could want. The variations include a vast choice of colour, three elements of texture (brushed, bandsawn, and distressedt), a variety of surface finishes, as well as staining and fumed/smoked choices. This bespoke service is in addition to our new Creations range of 36 textured and coloured prefinished floors.
Prefinished Flooring Trends for 2013/14
Here are some of the current flooring trends for 2013/14, showing how access to a bespoke prefinishing unit will help customers achieve these trends more easily.
Variety – Almost a ‘non trend’, this trend sees customers looking for innovation and originality, rather than copying a few set colours or styles of flooring. This means that while some customers are looking for very pale, blond flooring, just as many want dramatic, dark flooring, and many want neutral mid-tones or colours.
Exotic Woods – While Oak will never go out of fashion, there is an increasing interest in exotic woods such as Wenge, Merbau, Teak and Jatoba, which stems from the desire for variety and originality. The interest in the exotic is also fuelled by increased availability of these woods from ethical sources, , promoting sustainable forest management. However, finding the exotic wood flooring you want that is also in the width, type and finish you require, can be harder work. With Naturally Wood’s bespoke prefinishing unit, getting the colour you desire means this is no longer a limitation.
Reduced Shine – The high gloss trend of five years ago has receded and now there is a move towards more natural looking materials. In flooring this means a preference for oiling, waxing or matt lacquers, rather than super shiny lacquering. Bespoke finishing allows customers to get exactly the right level of gloss (or not) that they want, regardless of the timber type or other treatments.
Durability and Convenience – Customers are increasingly looking for long termvalue, rather than a quick flooring option to be replaced in a few years’ time. However, they also want quick and easy installation. This is exactly what our prefinishing unit provides - hardwood flooring that lasts for decades, but is produced in a form that is ready to walk upon immediately after installation.
Wider Planks – There is a general move towards wider planked floors and this gives an older, more traditional look. In addition to wider planks, customers also want an aged or distressed texture to accent this. Bespoke prefinishing provides this as it allows the customer to choose the width of the plank they like from our range, and then it is treated with the right level of ageing/distressing for their project.
Setting the Trends
Bespoke prefinished flooring allows clients, architects and interior designers to design their own flooring to suit their requirements because they are no longer limited to what is available off the shelf. Rather than having to follow flooring trends set by the manufacturers, our customers can set their own trends, without having to endure the expense, unpredictability, and long installation times of a bespoke site-finished floor.
Prefinished Flooring – click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products.
Saturday 22 June 2013
Parquet Flooring – Traditional and Bang Up to Date
Parquet flooring is a traditional type of flooring that dates back centuries. For a while, this type of flooring went out of fashion in favour of more minimalist designs, in particular strip flooring. However, now parquet flooring is making a strong comeback, partly due to a renewed interest in traditional techniques and designs and also because of the beauty it adds to an interior.
Naturally Wood also offer our range of Legacy woodblocks which are thicker, tongue & grooved blocks. . This solid flooring was often used in larger public buildings, such as schools and churches. It can, also, create interesting floor designs and can be suitable for particular site conditions..
Traditional Qualities of Parquet Flooring
A parquet floor has a number of qualities that made it an appealing choice for palaces, grand country homes or town houses. Here are some of its main virtues.
Status – A few centuries ago, the intricate patterns of parquet flooring would have been an indicator of status, wealth, taste and refinement. A simple strip wood floor would have been seen as too basic for upper class homes. Parquet designs in the form of panels became fashionable in the 17th century after a distinctive design was laid on the floors of Versailles Palace. This type of panelled parquet flooring became known as ‘Versailles’.
Hardwearing – The durable battens, make for a very stable floor which is suitable for heavy traffic and many years of use. The complexity of design can help to hide any wear which does occur as the eye is automatically drawn to the patterns, rather than the surface of the wood itself.
Design Variety – Parquet flooring offers a wide variety of designs, including herringbone, which is the most popular, double herringbone, 5:1 basket, chevron and basket weave, single basket weave and double basket weave, with many other designs being available in parquet panel form. Intricate borders and motifs add individuality and create very unique flooring.
Easy Maintenance – Small, standard blocks are easier to produce than long strips, so were a practical choice in the days when everything was made by hand. Smaller blocks are also easier to replace individually, if damaged.
Decorative - A complex pattern works well in a large space, which may otherwise feel stark and empty - for example, halls and ballrooms - and helps to make a large space feel cosy and intimate, as well as providing instant decoration.
Modern Parquet Flooring
Recent years have seen various types of flooring innovations that make parquet an ideal choice for contemporary flooring. As the techniques of producing parquet battens have been modernised, it remains an attractive and convenient option that works well in modern homes.
Colours – Parquet is available in light colours and simple styles that are in keeping with contemporary design trends. Lighter colours make a small room appear larger and the range of light timber available makes it easier for smaller spaces to accommodate a parquet design. One such example of this is the Palladio Mitred Bordered Basket Panel 4:1 design in Canadian maple, which is a stunning flooring choice for a modern home or business.
Patterns and Finishes – Parquet is a way of injecting interest into the floor design, while keeping the practicality of a wooden floor. As well as the patterns featured above, there are a choice of finishes, including lacquered for a high gloss result.
Variety of Widths – Parquet offers a variety of flooring widths up to 210 mm. The various widths and lengths of parquet battens give a much broader range of design possibilities.
Fashionable Timbers – The choice of timber for solid wood flooring is no longer limited to the traditional options such as Oak or Walnut. Parquet is also available in a variety of high fashion, exotic timbers, such as Wenge, Merbau and Teak. Maple has also become a popular choice for light and airy, contemporary interiors.
Parquet Panels – Ready assembled panels produce impressive results.
Uniqueness – As well as the variety of parquet designs, the addition of borders and motifs will produce a completely original floor design. For example, the Grill design border, Amazakoue and Oak, in our Palladio range has a superb modern design that looks striking in a contemporary home.
Under floor Heating – Parquet is compatible with under floor heating, so you not only get the choice of a stunning design, but you can enjoy all the warmth and cosiness that this type of modern heating provides.
Parquet Flooring – click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products.
Naturally Wood also offer our range of Legacy woodblocks which are thicker, tongue & grooved blocks. . This solid flooring was often used in larger public buildings, such as schools and churches. It can, also, create interesting floor designs and can be suitable for particular site conditions..
Traditional Qualities of Parquet Flooring
A parquet floor has a number of qualities that made it an appealing choice for palaces, grand country homes or town houses. Here are some of its main virtues.
Status – A few centuries ago, the intricate patterns of parquet flooring would have been an indicator of status, wealth, taste and refinement. A simple strip wood floor would have been seen as too basic for upper class homes. Parquet designs in the form of panels became fashionable in the 17th century after a distinctive design was laid on the floors of Versailles Palace. This type of panelled parquet flooring became known as ‘Versailles’.
Hardwearing – The durable battens, make for a very stable floor which is suitable for heavy traffic and many years of use. The complexity of design can help to hide any wear which does occur as the eye is automatically drawn to the patterns, rather than the surface of the wood itself.
Design Variety – Parquet flooring offers a wide variety of designs, including herringbone, which is the most popular, double herringbone, 5:1 basket, chevron and basket weave, single basket weave and double basket weave, with many other designs being available in parquet panel form. Intricate borders and motifs add individuality and create very unique flooring.
Easy Maintenance – Small, standard blocks are easier to produce than long strips, so were a practical choice in the days when everything was made by hand. Smaller blocks are also easier to replace individually, if damaged.
Decorative - A complex pattern works well in a large space, which may otherwise feel stark and empty - for example, halls and ballrooms - and helps to make a large space feel cosy and intimate, as well as providing instant decoration.
Modern Parquet Flooring
Recent years have seen various types of flooring innovations that make parquet an ideal choice for contemporary flooring. As the techniques of producing parquet battens have been modernised, it remains an attractive and convenient option that works well in modern homes.
Colours – Parquet is available in light colours and simple styles that are in keeping with contemporary design trends. Lighter colours make a small room appear larger and the range of light timber available makes it easier for smaller spaces to accommodate a parquet design. One such example of this is the Palladio Mitred Bordered Basket Panel 4:1 design in Canadian maple, which is a stunning flooring choice for a modern home or business.
Patterns and Finishes – Parquet is a way of injecting interest into the floor design, while keeping the practicality of a wooden floor. As well as the patterns featured above, there are a choice of finishes, including lacquered for a high gloss result.
Variety of Widths – Parquet offers a variety of flooring widths up to 210 mm. The various widths and lengths of parquet battens give a much broader range of design possibilities.
Fashionable Timbers – The choice of timber for solid wood flooring is no longer limited to the traditional options such as Oak or Walnut. Parquet is also available in a variety of high fashion, exotic timbers, such as Wenge, Merbau and Teak. Maple has also become a popular choice for light and airy, contemporary interiors.
Parquet Panels – Ready assembled panels produce impressive results.
Uniqueness – As well as the variety of parquet designs, the addition of borders and motifs will produce a completely original floor design. For example, the Grill design border, Amazakoue and Oak, in our Palladio range has a superb modern design that looks striking in a contemporary home.
Under floor Heating – Parquet is compatible with under floor heating, so you not only get the choice of a stunning design, but you can enjoy all the warmth and cosiness that this type of modern heating provides.
Parquet Flooring – click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products.
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Wood Flooring Textures
The final appearance of wood flooring is not only down to the choice of timber, but also the various treatments applied to it. A multitude of treatments are possible including staining, fuming/smoking (both of which affect colour) and oil, wax or lacquer finishes, which affect colour, mood and sheen.
Here, we shall focus purely on the physical texture and grain of solid wood flooring, which will vary greatly depending on how the raw timber is cut, or worked, prior to these other treatments.
Naturally Wood specialise in wood flooring installation and restoration in Essex, London, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Kent, and we offer a wide choice of timber, treatments, textures and finishes.
The Importance of Surface Texture
Your choice of texture is just as important as the choice of wood as it impacts on the overall finished result. While staining, oiling, waxing and lacquering can be altered over the lifetime of a floor, the texture and grain will remain, and is a key element in defining the overall character of your floor.
Naturally Wood offer three main textures on hardwood floors and these are brushed, bandsawn, and distressed/tumbled. We shall describe each of these in turn below and explain how the different textures are achieved.
Brushed
Previously, the texture of brushed flooring was created by hand, using wire brushes. Now, the same effect is achieved by our state-of-the-art, purpose-built machinery which produces a steady depth of brushing over the whole floor..
With machine brushed flooring, steel or copper brushes are rotated over the wood surface. This opens up the grain, turning a smooth surface into a much more open-textured surface, with indentations that follow the grain of the wood. With softer or harder brushing, it is possible to achieve different levels of grain accentuation. The results are similar to wood that is naturally weathered outside, and is useful for creating a rustic, or aged effect.
It’s possible to emphasise the depth of grain by combining a colour effect. Choosing an coloured, oiled finish, for example, and helps emphasise the wood’s texture, as the different angles catch the light.
Bandsawn
A bandsaw is used to create saw marks over the complete surface of the wood, rather than targeting the grain lines (as with brushing, above).
Our experts at Naturally Wood can create different degrees of texture by adjusting the settings of the bandsaw, so that the effects can be subtle, or prominent. A highly textured surface creates a handmade or rustic look, rather than an aged look, but distressing/tumbling in addition to this, can add age if desired.
Our finishes are tailored to suit your specific needs. Just contact Naturally Wood Flooring to find out how we can help create the perfect wood flooring for your home or business, in the Essex region, or further afield.
Wood Flooring Essex – click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products.
Tumbling
If you like the look of reclaimed wood, and want the same results at a lower cost, a good option is tumbling. This is where the wood is distressed, in our vast, purpose-built machine. The resulting effect is that the wood has years of wear and tear, and it’s often difficult to distinguish between distressed and reclaimed wood.
This is because our method of distressing works to soften corners and edges to create an older, more worn effect. It also produces random indentations across the surface which looks like ‘old damage’, giving the timber an overall ‘naturally aged’ and distressed effect. So rather than having the weathered appearance that you would get with brushing, with tumbling your wood flooring will look as if it has had decades of being lived with, and walked on.
Distressing adds beauty and character to your wood flooring and people will want to know the story behind it. It is suitable for both modern and period properties.
Which Naturally Wood Products Have these Textures?
Naturally Wood can produce any texture to any degree for many of our products, including any combinations of the above to produce different results. In addition to this, our textures can be as subtle or as strong as you like. At Naturally Wood we discuss the various options with you and tailor our bespoke prefinished wood flooring to suit your needs.
Our texturing service is all part of our prefinishing process and we also offer coloured and oiled floors from our prefinishing unit.
An oiled finish provides great protection for your flooring as it protects against stains, marks or water penetration, and also reveals the true beauty of your textured flooring.
Wood Flooring Essex – click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products.
Here, we shall focus purely on the physical texture and grain of solid wood flooring, which will vary greatly depending on how the raw timber is cut, or worked, prior to these other treatments.
Naturally Wood specialise in wood flooring installation and restoration in Essex, London, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Kent, and we offer a wide choice of timber, treatments, textures and finishes.
The Importance of Surface Texture
Your choice of texture is just as important as the choice of wood as it impacts on the overall finished result. While staining, oiling, waxing and lacquering can be altered over the lifetime of a floor, the texture and grain will remain, and is a key element in defining the overall character of your floor.
Naturally Wood offer three main textures on hardwood floors and these are brushed, bandsawn, and distressed/tumbled. We shall describe each of these in turn below and explain how the different textures are achieved.
Brushed
Previously, the texture of brushed flooring was created by hand, using wire brushes. Now, the same effect is achieved by our state-of-the-art, purpose-built machinery which produces a steady depth of brushing over the whole floor..
With machine brushed flooring, steel or copper brushes are rotated over the wood surface. This opens up the grain, turning a smooth surface into a much more open-textured surface, with indentations that follow the grain of the wood. With softer or harder brushing, it is possible to achieve different levels of grain accentuation. The results are similar to wood that is naturally weathered outside, and is useful for creating a rustic, or aged effect.
It’s possible to emphasise the depth of grain by combining a colour effect. Choosing an coloured, oiled finish, for example, and helps emphasise the wood’s texture, as the different angles catch the light.
Bandsawn
A bandsaw is used to create saw marks over the complete surface of the wood, rather than targeting the grain lines (as with brushing, above).
Our experts at Naturally Wood can create different degrees of texture by adjusting the settings of the bandsaw, so that the effects can be subtle, or prominent. A highly textured surface creates a handmade or rustic look, rather than an aged look, but distressing/tumbling in addition to this, can add age if desired.
Our finishes are tailored to suit your specific needs. Just contact Naturally Wood Flooring to find out how we can help create the perfect wood flooring for your home or business, in the Essex region, or further afield.
Wood Flooring Essex – click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products.
Tumbling
If you like the look of reclaimed wood, and want the same results at a lower cost, a good option is tumbling. This is where the wood is distressed, in our vast, purpose-built machine. The resulting effect is that the wood has years of wear and tear, and it’s often difficult to distinguish between distressed and reclaimed wood.
This is because our method of distressing works to soften corners and edges to create an older, more worn effect. It also produces random indentations across the surface which looks like ‘old damage’, giving the timber an overall ‘naturally aged’ and distressed effect. So rather than having the weathered appearance that you would get with brushing, with tumbling your wood flooring will look as if it has had decades of being lived with, and walked on.
Distressing adds beauty and character to your wood flooring and people will want to know the story behind it. It is suitable for both modern and period properties.
Which Naturally Wood Products Have these Textures?
Naturally Wood can produce any texture to any degree for many of our products, including any combinations of the above to produce different results. In addition to this, our textures can be as subtle or as strong as you like. At Naturally Wood we discuss the various options with you and tailor our bespoke prefinished wood flooring to suit your needs.
Our texturing service is all part of our prefinishing process and we also offer coloured and oiled floors from our prefinishing unit.
An oiled finish provides great protection for your flooring as it protects against stains, marks or water penetration, and also reveals the true beauty of your textured flooring.
Wood Flooring Essex – click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products.
Saturday 8 June 2013
Parquet Flooring Designs, Borders and Motifs
One of the major appeals of parquet flooring is the number of different patterns that are available, enabling customers to choose a solid wood floor that has decorative appeal over and above the grain and colour of the wood itself. At Naturally Wood we specialise in bespoke wooden flooring of all kinds and are always seeking ways to offer customers something highly distinctive.
Our Palladio Parquet Flooring range offers just that, with (currently) 23 different types of timber from traditional Oak, Ash and Maple through to more exotic species such as a red-toned Mahogany, golden Iroko or nearly black Wenge. With 14 different parquet designs to choose from, this means 322 unique combinations of flooring – not even counting the range of different stains and finishes which may also be specified.
But it doesn't stop there. A parquet floor can be made even more individual through the use of borders or motifs, adding a real wow factor to any space. With 25 different types of border to choose from, as well as 9 stunning motifs, this brings the total number of possible combinations to no less than 72,450 – making it extremely easy to achieve something unique. So let's look at some of these options in more detail.
Parquet Flooring – Explore our full range of parquet designs, borders and motifs.
Parquet Flooring Designs
Naturally Wood offers 7 different arrangements of parquet blocks, plus a further 7 parquet panel designs, where blocks are preassembled into square panels.
Parquet block designs include classic arrangements such as Herringbone, Basket Weave and Chevron, which all create a highly traditional effect. Alternatively, a plain parquet strip design produces a more subtle effect and works well in a contemporary or minimalist setting, or perhaps to allow a transition between one space and another.
Parquet panels, as well as allowing much faster installation, also offer new design opportunities. Each panel has a parquet block border, framing a design within it. Some of these designs are based on familiar designs such as Basket Weave – but most are unique to the panels, such as the Carreaux Square design shown here:
For drama and visual complexity choose panel designs containing diagonal elements such as Double Bretton Cross or Versailles. For a more contemporary and ordered feel, choose perpendicular designs such as Carreaux Square (above) or Mitre Bordered Basket Panel.
Parquet Flooring Borders
We offer 12 standard borders and 13 bespoke border designs. Standard borders are simple strips of wood in a range of timbers, so that you can choose a colour which contrasts with your main flooring. For instance, teaming a Wenge border with a Canadian Maple floor will create a high contrast effect, while using a Sipo Mahogany border with a classic Oak floor will give a more subtle, understated effect. Standard borders are available as single colour strips (10mm wide), dual colour strips (43mm wide) and triple colour strips (25mm wide).
But for the ultimate design statement and a truly impressive effect, choose one of our bespoke parquet borders, each lending its own particular character to a room. The Grill, for example, uses mid-toned Amazakoue to create a quietly understated feel; while Carnevale combines red (Jatoba) and black (Wenge) for a far more flamboyant effect (both shown below).
Parquet borders, whether simple strips or complex patterns can significantly increase the visual impact that of your parquet flooring. But they can also serve a useful function, in particular to help define different spaces and zones – increasingly useful in today's open plan homes. Use borders to define where kitchen ends and living space begins, or perhaps to define a dining area. Instead of using a rug to create a focal point for a living area, why not choose a decorative border with a central motif instead. Or enhance existing architectural features, such as staircases or fire places, as in this example:
Parquet Flooring Motifs
Our Palladio parquet design motifs offer perhaps the ultimate flooring design statement. Available in a variety of designs and timber combinations, our motifs provide an instant and impressive focal point to any room.
Hallways and entrances are especially suitable for a parquet motif, perhaps combined with a border, as shown in this example below. Here, the client has chosen the Pavex 8 Ray Star motif in shades of brown and cream for an effect which is stunning and yet blends tastefully with the surrounding colour scheme.
Using a parquet motif in a hallway provides an all important first impression to visitors or clients, while also maintaining the everyday practicality of a wooden floor for this high traffic area. But motifs can be equally impressive and functional as focal points for a dining or living area.
We currently offer 4 standard motif designs – Pavex 8 Ray Star (shown above), 16 Pointed Star & Greek Key Border, Circle with 16 Pointed Star and 8 Pointed Star & Compass. For each design, we offer a choice of high contrast and lower contrast colour schemes to create bolder or more muted effects as desired. As each design is precision-made to order and installed by our own craftsmen, it is possible to substitute different timbers and colours to suit your colour scheme, or even to commission a new design variation.
Parquet flooring motifs do far more than add visual interest to a space. Unlike disposable carpets or rugs, an inlaid motif becomes part of the fabric of the building and does much to add character to a property that will endure for many decades.
Parquet Flooring – Explore our range of motifs here.
Our Palladio Parquet Flooring range offers just that, with (currently) 23 different types of timber from traditional Oak, Ash and Maple through to more exotic species such as a red-toned Mahogany, golden Iroko or nearly black Wenge. With 14 different parquet designs to choose from, this means 322 unique combinations of flooring – not even counting the range of different stains and finishes which may also be specified.
But it doesn't stop there. A parquet floor can be made even more individual through the use of borders or motifs, adding a real wow factor to any space. With 25 different types of border to choose from, as well as 9 stunning motifs, this brings the total number of possible combinations to no less than 72,450 – making it extremely easy to achieve something unique. So let's look at some of these options in more detail.
Parquet Flooring – Explore our full range of parquet designs, borders and motifs.
Parquet Flooring Designs
Naturally Wood offers 7 different arrangements of parquet blocks, plus a further 7 parquet panel designs, where blocks are preassembled into square panels.
Parquet block designs include classic arrangements such as Herringbone, Basket Weave and Chevron, which all create a highly traditional effect. Alternatively, a plain parquet strip design produces a more subtle effect and works well in a contemporary or minimalist setting, or perhaps to allow a transition between one space and another.
Parquet panels, as well as allowing much faster installation, also offer new design opportunities. Each panel has a parquet block border, framing a design within it. Some of these designs are based on familiar designs such as Basket Weave – but most are unique to the panels, such as the Carreaux Square design shown here:
For drama and visual complexity choose panel designs containing diagonal elements such as Double Bretton Cross or Versailles. For a more contemporary and ordered feel, choose perpendicular designs such as Carreaux Square (above) or Mitre Bordered Basket Panel.
Parquet Flooring Borders
We offer 12 standard borders and 13 bespoke border designs. Standard borders are simple strips of wood in a range of timbers, so that you can choose a colour which contrasts with your main flooring. For instance, teaming a Wenge border with a Canadian Maple floor will create a high contrast effect, while using a Sipo Mahogany border with a classic Oak floor will give a more subtle, understated effect. Standard borders are available as single colour strips (10mm wide), dual colour strips (43mm wide) and triple colour strips (25mm wide).
But for the ultimate design statement and a truly impressive effect, choose one of our bespoke parquet borders, each lending its own particular character to a room. The Grill, for example, uses mid-toned Amazakoue to create a quietly understated feel; while Carnevale combines red (Jatoba) and black (Wenge) for a far more flamboyant effect (both shown below).
Parquet borders, whether simple strips or complex patterns can significantly increase the visual impact that of your parquet flooring. But they can also serve a useful function, in particular to help define different spaces and zones – increasingly useful in today's open plan homes. Use borders to define where kitchen ends and living space begins, or perhaps to define a dining area. Instead of using a rug to create a focal point for a living area, why not choose a decorative border with a central motif instead. Or enhance existing architectural features, such as staircases or fire places, as in this example:
Parquet Flooring Motifs
Our Palladio parquet design motifs offer perhaps the ultimate flooring design statement. Available in a variety of designs and timber combinations, our motifs provide an instant and impressive focal point to any room.
Hallways and entrances are especially suitable for a parquet motif, perhaps combined with a border, as shown in this example below. Here, the client has chosen the Pavex 8 Ray Star motif in shades of brown and cream for an effect which is stunning and yet blends tastefully with the surrounding colour scheme.
Using a parquet motif in a hallway provides an all important first impression to visitors or clients, while also maintaining the everyday practicality of a wooden floor for this high traffic area. But motifs can be equally impressive and functional as focal points for a dining or living area.
We currently offer 4 standard motif designs – Pavex 8 Ray Star (shown above), 16 Pointed Star & Greek Key Border, Circle with 16 Pointed Star and 8 Pointed Star & Compass. For each design, we offer a choice of high contrast and lower contrast colour schemes to create bolder or more muted effects as desired. As each design is precision-made to order and installed by our own craftsmen, it is possible to substitute different timbers and colours to suit your colour scheme, or even to commission a new design variation.
Parquet flooring motifs do far more than add visual interest to a space. Unlike disposable carpets or rugs, an inlaid motif becomes part of the fabric of the building and does much to add character to a property that will endure for many decades.
Parquet Flooring – Explore our range of motifs here.
Wednesday 5 June 2013
Parquet Flooring and Under Floor Heating
The last few years have seen traditional parquet flooring make a strong comeback with a far greater variety of timbers, colours and finishes available. Our Palladio parquet flooring range, for instance, is available in traditional timbers such as Oak and Maple as well as many exotic and fashionable species such as Wenge and Merbau, making it a versatile option for all types of interior. But this resurgence coincides with another major development in flooring – under floor heating. Here we take a look at how these two trends can be combined to create flooring which is beautiful, practical and comfortable.
Parquet Flooring – Explore our Palladio range here.
Why Under Floor Heating?
The popularity of under floor heating began in the 1980’s and 90’s around the same time that many homeowners were moving away from carpeting and towards alternative flooring options such as tiles and solid wood flooring. The fashion for tiled floors was significantly influenced by the experience of Mediterranean holidays – but while a cold tile underfoot may be appealing when temperatures are in the 30’s, it is another matter when walking around a UK home in the middle of January. Under floor heating offers the warmth and comfort of carpeting with the looks and practicality of hard surface flooring. And it is also economical – being far cheaper to run than putting on the central heating, for instance. Under floor heating has the additional benefit of being virtually maintenance free as it fully protected by the flooring above it so is unlikely to ever suffer damage.
In addition, the running temperature of under floor heating is much lower than that of conventional hot water radiators. This makes it compatible with renewable heat sources such as solar thermal or ground source systems which may struggle, especially in more northerly countries, to deliver high temperatures during winter, but can much more easily achieve the modest 25 degrees or so required for under floor heating. So as well as the comfort factor, a key driver for the growth of under floor heating is the burgeoning interest in renewable energy systems for the home.
Once the use of under floor heating was well established for tiled floors, it was then a logical step to want to use under floor heating with solid wood flooring too, but initially this was problematic. Unlike tiles, wood will expand when warmed and shrink when cooled. Within the normal temperature range of a centrally heated home this is not a problem, but if exposed to excessive or direct heat wood can warp, resulting in an unstable or uneven floor.
But recent advances in wood floor manufacture, laying techniques and the under floor heating technology itself means that it's now possible to combine some types of solid wood flooring with under floor heating . In particular, Naturally Wood’s engineered floors and Palladio Parquet Flooring range are both suitable for laying over either electric or water borne under floor heating systems without risking damage to the timber.
Installing Palladio Parquet Flooring with Under Floor Heating
The key to installing our Palladio flooring over an under floor heating system is the sub-floor i.e. the layer of material between the under floor heating element (which is usually already encased in some type of scree) and the top layer of parquet. For the Palladio range a plywood sub-floor is required, which we can install as part of the overall flooring project if not already present.
Provided this sub-floor is in place there is no restriction in the design of parquet flooring that may be used, from traditional Herringbone or Basket Weave, to a more modern strip design, as well as our parquet panels. Because there is good separation from the heating element and a very even distribution of heat via the plywood sub-floor, all types of timber may be used, providing clients with an enormous choice of looks from the palest Canadian Maple to the darkest American Black Walnut. This also means that any parquet borders or motifs that a client may desire are equally compatible with under floor heating.
With the correct sub-floor in place, the parquet blocks or panels are then glued to the sub-floor with a suitable adhesive. Using adhesive both prevents inadvertent damage to the under floor heating system and is crucial to the final stability of the floor.
While this gives a general view of the installation procedure we assess each project individually to ensure exactly the right type of sub-floor and adhesive is used depending on the particular type of heating system among other factors.
Is Your Floor Suitable for Parquet Flooring and Under Floor Heating?
Each project is unique so it is vital to ensure that your plans for under floor heating and solid wood flooring are feasible. Naturally Wood can provide a no obligation site visit to assess your project, as well as guide you through the range of design options available.
Parquet Flooring – Call us on 020 8508 2555 or use our contact form
Parquet Flooring – Explore our Palladio range here.
Why Under Floor Heating?
The popularity of under floor heating began in the 1980’s and 90’s around the same time that many homeowners were moving away from carpeting and towards alternative flooring options such as tiles and solid wood flooring. The fashion for tiled floors was significantly influenced by the experience of Mediterranean holidays – but while a cold tile underfoot may be appealing when temperatures are in the 30’s, it is another matter when walking around a UK home in the middle of January. Under floor heating offers the warmth and comfort of carpeting with the looks and practicality of hard surface flooring. And it is also economical – being far cheaper to run than putting on the central heating, for instance. Under floor heating has the additional benefit of being virtually maintenance free as it fully protected by the flooring above it so is unlikely to ever suffer damage.
In addition, the running temperature of under floor heating is much lower than that of conventional hot water radiators. This makes it compatible with renewable heat sources such as solar thermal or ground source systems which may struggle, especially in more northerly countries, to deliver high temperatures during winter, but can much more easily achieve the modest 25 degrees or so required for under floor heating. So as well as the comfort factor, a key driver for the growth of under floor heating is the burgeoning interest in renewable energy systems for the home.
Once the use of under floor heating was well established for tiled floors, it was then a logical step to want to use under floor heating with solid wood flooring too, but initially this was problematic. Unlike tiles, wood will expand when warmed and shrink when cooled. Within the normal temperature range of a centrally heated home this is not a problem, but if exposed to excessive or direct heat wood can warp, resulting in an unstable or uneven floor.
But recent advances in wood floor manufacture, laying techniques and the under floor heating technology itself means that it's now possible to combine some types of solid wood flooring with under floor heating . In particular, Naturally Wood’s engineered floors and Palladio Parquet Flooring range are both suitable for laying over either electric or water borne under floor heating systems without risking damage to the timber.
Installing Palladio Parquet Flooring with Under Floor Heating
The key to installing our Palladio flooring over an under floor heating system is the sub-floor i.e. the layer of material between the under floor heating element (which is usually already encased in some type of scree) and the top layer of parquet. For the Palladio range a plywood sub-floor is required, which we can install as part of the overall flooring project if not already present.
Provided this sub-floor is in place there is no restriction in the design of parquet flooring that may be used, from traditional Herringbone or Basket Weave, to a more modern strip design, as well as our parquet panels. Because there is good separation from the heating element and a very even distribution of heat via the plywood sub-floor, all types of timber may be used, providing clients with an enormous choice of looks from the palest Canadian Maple to the darkest American Black Walnut. This also means that any parquet borders or motifs that a client may desire are equally compatible with under floor heating.
With the correct sub-floor in place, the parquet blocks or panels are then glued to the sub-floor with a suitable adhesive. Using adhesive both prevents inadvertent damage to the under floor heating system and is crucial to the final stability of the floor.
While this gives a general view of the installation procedure we assess each project individually to ensure exactly the right type of sub-floor and adhesive is used depending on the particular type of heating system among other factors.
Is Your Floor Suitable for Parquet Flooring and Under Floor Heating?
Each project is unique so it is vital to ensure that your plans for under floor heating and solid wood flooring are feasible. Naturally Wood can provide a no obligation site visit to assess your project, as well as guide you through the range of design options available.
Parquet Flooring – Call us on 020 8508 2555 or use our contact form
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