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
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Legacy Antique Panels: An Eco-friendly Option for Antique Wood Flooring
Legacy Antique Panels from Naturally Wood Floors are the ultimate choice for those wanting genuine, antique wood flooring. Available in a variety of designs and in a wide range of colours and finishes, our antique panels are created by sourcing reclaimed timber which is then hand constructed into panels and carefully finished, again by hand, to produce distinctive antique flooring.
Because our antique wood flooring is naturally aged, it has a beautiful, rich colour. The level of wear or distressing can be emphasised or de-emphasised as required by altering how we sand, fill and finish our panels.
Here we will describe our antique wood flooring range in more detail and show how it can be used to create authentic antique flooring in both modern and period properties.
Legacy Panel Designs
Our Antique Panels are usually one square metre in size and are available in Chantilly and Versailles patterns.
The Chantilly design is an interwoven square design, with the squares running parallel to the border:
Chantilly Classic Waxed Finish
The Versailles design is also an interwoven design, but arranged diagonally to the border:
Versailles Period Waxed Finish
Legacy Panel Textures
Working with these two panel designs, a wide range of different final effects are possible depending on the level of sanding, filling, staining and finishing applied. We have three textures available: Period, Classic and Refined.
Our Period texture gives the most worn, aged surface, achieved by rounding off any hard corners and edges, while our Refined finish involves carefully sanding down surface irregularities to produce a smoother, sophisticated, elegant floor, with our Classic texture lying in between.
Versailles Refined Waxed Finish
Our panels are made from oak, an extremely versatile timber which allows a wide range of colour choices from light mid-tones to very dark tones. Because all our panels are hand finished, we can work with our clients to achieve the exact colour and effect they are looking for, to produce a bespoke floor which perfectly enhances their project. The range of colours and finishes possible means that our Legacy Panels are sought after for both modern and period properties.
Distinctive Flooring for Large and Modern Spaces
For modern homes, with spacious living rooms or extensive open plan areas, often the challenge is to pull a large space together, give it some character and make it feel like a comfortable living area. Our Legacy Antique Panels can help to break up a large expanse of floor, while the richer colours of our antique wood flooring gives depth, richness and warmth.
Whatever texture you choose, this handmade product makes a stunning design statement.
Authentic Flooring for Period Properties
Our Legacy Antique Panels are, of course, ideal for achieving an authentic period feel in older properties. Many period properties have, over the years, been given modern or otherwise inappropriate flooring and it often falls to the restorer to find and install flooring which is more in keeping with the age of the property. In a restoration project, there will often be other considerations beyond simply choosing a floor of the right period, such as matching
other flooring, ceilings, fireplaces, skirtings, doors and so on – so being able to specify an exact finish is essential.
It is also common to want to add extensions to period properties and owners often go to great lengths to ensure that both the architecture and the interior decor are closely in keeping with the period and character of the original property. For this type of project, our bespoke, hand finished Legacy Antique Panels offer the perfect way to achieve exactly the effect required.
Additional Advantages of Legacy Antique PanelsApart from achieving a unique and distinctive finish, our antique flooring panels offer several additional benefits:
An eco-friendly choice – As well as producing flooring which is beautiful and distinctive, using our Legacy Antique Panels is also a very eco-friendly choice, since not a single new tree needs to be felled to produce them. This is truly the ultimate sustainable flooring.
Easy to install – Our panels - which have already been prefinished before they leave our workshop -- are very quick and easy to install, with no messy sanding or staining needed on site.,.
Stable and hardwearing – Our panels are around 23.5mm in thickness (with some natural variation due to the nature of the timber). As well as producing a floor that looks as if it has already been there for decades, this is flooring that will last for many decades more. So wherever it is installed it is likely to become the legacy flooring of the future.
Legacy Antique Panels - click here to view our range of products or call us today on 020 8508 2555 to speak to a member of our team.
Because our antique wood flooring is naturally aged, it has a beautiful, rich colour. The level of wear or distressing can be emphasised or de-emphasised as required by altering how we sand, fill and finish our panels.
Here we will describe our antique wood flooring range in more detail and show how it can be used to create authentic antique flooring in both modern and period properties.
Legacy Panel Designs
Our Antique Panels are usually one square metre in size and are available in Chantilly and Versailles patterns.
The Chantilly design is an interwoven square design, with the squares running parallel to the border:
Chantilly Classic Waxed Finish
The Versailles design is also an interwoven design, but arranged diagonally to the border:
Versailles Period Waxed Finish
Legacy Panel Textures
Working with these two panel designs, a wide range of different final effects are possible depending on the level of sanding, filling, staining and finishing applied. We have three textures available: Period, Classic and Refined.
Our Period texture gives the most worn, aged surface, achieved by rounding off any hard corners and edges, while our Refined finish involves carefully sanding down surface irregularities to produce a smoother, sophisticated, elegant floor, with our Classic texture lying in between.
Versailles Refined Waxed Finish
Our panels are made from oak, an extremely versatile timber which allows a wide range of colour choices from light mid-tones to very dark tones. Because all our panels are hand finished, we can work with our clients to achieve the exact colour and effect they are looking for, to produce a bespoke floor which perfectly enhances their project. The range of colours and finishes possible means that our Legacy Panels are sought after for both modern and period properties.
Distinctive Flooring for Large and Modern Spaces
For modern homes, with spacious living rooms or extensive open plan areas, often the challenge is to pull a large space together, give it some character and make it feel like a comfortable living area. Our Legacy Antique Panels can help to break up a large expanse of floor, while the richer colours of our antique wood flooring gives depth, richness and warmth.
Whatever texture you choose, this handmade product makes a stunning design statement.
Authentic Flooring for Period Properties
Our Legacy Antique Panels are, of course, ideal for achieving an authentic period feel in older properties. Many period properties have, over the years, been given modern or otherwise inappropriate flooring and it often falls to the restorer to find and install flooring which is more in keeping with the age of the property. In a restoration project, there will often be other considerations beyond simply choosing a floor of the right period, such as matching
other flooring, ceilings, fireplaces, skirtings, doors and so on – so being able to specify an exact finish is essential.
It is also common to want to add extensions to period properties and owners often go to great lengths to ensure that both the architecture and the interior decor are closely in keeping with the period and character of the original property. For this type of project, our bespoke, hand finished Legacy Antique Panels offer the perfect way to achieve exactly the effect required.
Additional Advantages of Legacy Antique PanelsApart from achieving a unique and distinctive finish, our antique flooring panels offer several additional benefits:
An eco-friendly choice – As well as producing flooring which is beautiful and distinctive, using our Legacy Antique Panels is also a very eco-friendly choice, since not a single new tree needs to be felled to produce them. This is truly the ultimate sustainable flooring.
Easy to install – Our panels - which have already been prefinished before they leave our workshop -- are very quick and easy to install, with no messy sanding or staining needed on site.,.
Stable and hardwearing – Our panels are around 23.5mm in thickness (with some natural variation due to the nature of the timber). As well as producing a floor that looks as if it has already been there for decades, this is flooring that will last for many decades more. So wherever it is installed it is likely to become the legacy flooring of the future.
Legacy Antique Panels - click here to view our range of products or call us today on 020 8508 2555 to speak to a member of our team.
Monday, 8 April 2013
FSC and PEFC Timber Flooring From Naturally Wood
At Naturally Wood, we supply and install a number of FSC and PEFC timber flooring products suitable for a variety of residential and commercial applications. This allows us to do our part to help preserve future supplies of many important wood species, as well as meeting the needs of our many customers who would like to choose sustainable flooring for their home or business.
But what exactly is PEFC and FSC timber flooring? What does it mean to us at Naturally Wood to be supporting these schemes? And, most importantly, what does it mean to our customers to be able to choose a sustainable flooring option?
What Are FSC and PEFC?
The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) are both schemes designed to promote sustainable forest management.
Both schemes aim to:
Broadly speaking, most of the world's larger certified forests belong to the FSC scheme which operates worldwide, while a large number (over 8,000) of smaller or privately managed forests belong to the PEFC scheme, which operates mostly in Western Europe.
Because Naturally Wood sources a wide variety of species from all over the world we are certified members of both schemes. In addition, we also actively seek to source timber certified by other schemes, especially for more exotic species. For instance, we have BRIK (Badan Revitalisasi Industri Kayu, or Indonesian Institute for the Revitalisation of the Timber Industry) certification for our Indonesian Merbau timber.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
As a company that can trace its roots back to the 1900's, sustainability is something that means a great deal to us. Timber is the raw material on which our business is based, so it is most definitely in our own interests to promote the use of forestry methods which will ensure a continued supply into the coming centuries and at a price which will ensure it remains affordable to homeowners and businesses.
We also hope that, as an old and well established flooring company, we can lead by example and help to uphold the integrity of the wood flooring industry and encourage other companies to follow suit, as well as encouraging customers to be more aware about where the timber for their floor has come from.
Customer Demand for Sustainable Flooring
We are also extremely mindful of the growth in demand from our own customers for sustainably and ethically sourced wood. For many of our clients, part of the appeal of a solid wood floor is an appreciation of wood as a natural product and a concern for the natural environment typically goes hand in hand with that.
Installing a timber floor has a definite feel good factor which goes far beyond its practicality or even its looks. By choosing sustainable FSC or PEFC timber flooring our customers can enhance this feel-good factor, knowing that instead of depleting the world's resources, they have done something positive to protect the environment that produced their timber.
Personal preferences aside, many companies now have an ethical procurement policy which requires them to take into account sustainability issues when buying products and services for their business. For companies with this kind of policy, it is vital for them to ensure that their timber has been produced in an eco-friendly and ethical way, making PEFC or FSC timber flooring a natural choice. To help companies fulfil such procurement requirements we can supply full Chain of Custody traceability.
Our Range of PEFC and FSC Timber Flooring
Many of our products are available with FSC or PEFC certification, including floors in our Fusion and Palladio Parquet ranges, as well as prefinished floors from our Creations range.
Please speak to our team for further information.
FSC Timber Flooring – contact us now to find out more about our FSC and PEFC certified products.
But what exactly is PEFC and FSC timber flooring? What does it mean to us at Naturally Wood to be supporting these schemes? And, most importantly, what does it mean to our customers to be able to choose a sustainable flooring option?
What Are FSC and PEFC?
The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) are both schemes designed to promote sustainable forest management.
Both schemes aim to:
- Ensure replanting and careful management to ensure continued supply.
- Protect and enhance the ecological habitat created by the forest, thus protecting many rare or endangered species.
- Restrict the use of chemicals harmful to humans or to the habitat.
- Ensure respect for Indigenous Peoples and other communities present in or around the forest.
- Ensure basic rights and working conditions for forestry workers.
Broadly speaking, most of the world's larger certified forests belong to the FSC scheme which operates worldwide, while a large number (over 8,000) of smaller or privately managed forests belong to the PEFC scheme, which operates mostly in Western Europe.
Because Naturally Wood sources a wide variety of species from all over the world we are certified members of both schemes. In addition, we also actively seek to source timber certified by other schemes, especially for more exotic species. For instance, we have BRIK (Badan Revitalisasi Industri Kayu, or Indonesian Institute for the Revitalisation of the Timber Industry) certification for our Indonesian Merbau timber.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
As a company that can trace its roots back to the 1900's, sustainability is something that means a great deal to us. Timber is the raw material on which our business is based, so it is most definitely in our own interests to promote the use of forestry methods which will ensure a continued supply into the coming centuries and at a price which will ensure it remains affordable to homeowners and businesses.
We also hope that, as an old and well established flooring company, we can lead by example and help to uphold the integrity of the wood flooring industry and encourage other companies to follow suit, as well as encouraging customers to be more aware about where the timber for their floor has come from.
Customer Demand for Sustainable Flooring
We are also extremely mindful of the growth in demand from our own customers for sustainably and ethically sourced wood. For many of our clients, part of the appeal of a solid wood floor is an appreciation of wood as a natural product and a concern for the natural environment typically goes hand in hand with that.
Installing a timber floor has a definite feel good factor which goes far beyond its practicality or even its looks. By choosing sustainable FSC or PEFC timber flooring our customers can enhance this feel-good factor, knowing that instead of depleting the world's resources, they have done something positive to protect the environment that produced their timber.
Personal preferences aside, many companies now have an ethical procurement policy which requires them to take into account sustainability issues when buying products and services for their business. For companies with this kind of policy, it is vital for them to ensure that their timber has been produced in an eco-friendly and ethical way, making PEFC or FSC timber flooring a natural choice. To help companies fulfil such procurement requirements we can supply full Chain of Custody traceability.
Our Range of PEFC and FSC Timber Flooring
Many of our products are available with FSC or PEFC certification, including floors in our Fusion and Palladio Parquet ranges, as well as prefinished floors from our Creations range.
Please speak to our team for further information.
FSC Timber Flooring – contact us now to find out more about our FSC and PEFC certified products.
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Prefinished Flooring Unit Open For Business
Naturally Wood Floors are proud to announce the launch of our onsite prefinishing unit, allowing us to supply a wide range of bespoke prefinished flooring. Our new unit can carry out a wide range of floor treatments, enabling architects and interior designers to offer bespoke prefinished hardwood floors to their clients, ready for installation.
What is Prefinished Flooring?
Prefinished flooring is flooring that has been textured, stained and finished prior to being installed at the client's premises. Of course, prefinished hardwood flooring is already available - but usually in textures, colours and finishes decided upon by the manufacturer. This inevitably limits the range of prefinished floors available, with other design combinations being achievable only through onsite bespoke finishing.
Our new workshop allows a client or design professional to obtain prefinished hardwood floors in exactly the timber, colour and finish they desire and to see the finished product prior to installation. Our range of prefinished hardwood flooring will include engineered and solid flooring, to suit a wide range of site requirements, with any combination of texture, colour and surface treatment as follows:
Textures - Choose from brushing, band-sawing or tumbling, to emphasise the grain and achieve exactly the aged, distressed or rustic finish to enhance your project, in your choice of wood.
Staining - Match existing flooring or create the perfect foundation for your project's colour scheme by specifying exactly the colour you need.
Smoke Treatments - We treat the timber in our smoking chamber to darken and enrich the natural colour throughout your chosen wood. While smoking has always been a prefinishing process, our unit allows you to more closely specify the depth of colour achieved, and the wood you want to apply it to.
Surface Finishes - Oiling or lacquering is often the messiest part of the installation process, and requires expertise to apply evenly over a large area. We apply any surface finish you require directly and consistently to each piece of timber.
The result is prefinished hardwood flooring that is already finished to the client's exact specification, ready to deliver to site for fast installation.
The Benefits of Prefinished Flooring to Design Professionals
The flooring trade and those involved in the building and interior design business will already be familiar with the many benefits of prefinished hardwood floors. What we are offering here is the availability of bespoke prefinished flooring. Our unit offers all the ease of use benefits of prefinished flooring combined with all the innovation and exclusivity of bespoke flooring. We expect the availability of bespoke prefinished floors to transform what design professionals can offer their clients.
Less work - Quite simply, our unit allows you to offer a bespoke service to your clients, but without having to arrange for the additional finishing stages to be carried out on site. For flooring installers this means less manpower and skill required to complete a project; for architects or designers it means faster installation for your client.
Time savings - A complex finish with staining and surface treatments, can take as long as or even longer than the installation of the floor itself. And while treatments are drying this often means no other work can be carried out in the area of the new flooring. Prefinished floors mean faster installation, benefiting both the installer and the client. Where the installation of prefinished hardwood flooring is just part of a bigger building or renovation project, this can result in significant improvements to the overall project timescales.
Higher quality and consistency - Texturing, staining and final finishingare all expert jobs which, if not carried out expertly, can result in a less than perfect floor. With our quality checking this never has to be a problem again - you only take delivery of flooring that is perfectly finished and ready to lay.
Cost-effective - While the cost of bespoke prefinished flooring will inevitably be higher than an off-the-shelf product or an unfinished product, these costs are usually offset by the savings made on finishing costs which, depending on the complexity of treatments, could involve several days of skilled labour. Our soon-to-be-launched Creations range of textures, colours and finishes will provide great options in prefinished flooring, for projects where budget is a primary consideration.
The Benefits of Prefinished Floors to the End Client
The benefits to design professionals of using bespoke prefinished floors are of course mirrored in direct benefits to the end client:
Choice - Clients can get exactly what they want, even if it's not something generally available on the market. For clients who are working with architects or interior designers, the desire for perfection is often significantly greater than cost considerations.
Exclusivity - The big appeal of any bespoke flooring is the idea that the resulting flooring is unique. Our new bespoke service allows this level of exclusivity to be available to a much wider range of clients.
Quality - With bespoke hand finishing on site there is always the chance that the finished result isn't exactly what the client expected. Access to bespoke prefinished hardwood floors will allow the exact colour and texture required by the design brief to be agreed on and achieved before any flooring is even delivered to site. Our bespoke prefinished floors mean that quality and consistency is guaranteed before a single strip or block is laid.
Faster, Cleaner Installation - Clients who would normally prefer a bespoke finish previously had to put up with the fact that this would mean a much longer time for installation, as well as the presence of messy stains, oils and lacquers on their premises. Our new unit offers the prospect of a bespoke finish but without the mess and with far less disruption. This can be especially important to commercial and retail projects where each additional day spent on flooring installation can translate into thousands of pounds of lost sales.
"Creations" Prefinished Hardwood Flooring
Imagine if you could source prefinished hardwood floors that can't be found anywhere else and which are at the cutting edge of current flooring design - but at keen prices?
With over fifteen years experience of installing floors for private clients, architects and interior designers, Naturally Wood Floors are uniquely placed to know about upcoming flooring trends and where customer demand is heading. Our new unit allows us to turn this intelligence into a range of exciting new prefinished flooring products that are unique to Naturally Wood Floors, giving design professionals even more competitive advantage and our private clients even more choice. The "Creations" prefinished hardwood flooring range is being developed with an eye to current design moods and will continue to evolve as it is inspired and updated by the changes in trend.
For more information on our range of Prefinished Flooring, please contact us.
What is Prefinished Flooring?
Prefinished flooring is flooring that has been textured, stained and finished prior to being installed at the client's premises. Of course, prefinished hardwood flooring is already available - but usually in textures, colours and finishes decided upon by the manufacturer. This inevitably limits the range of prefinished floors available, with other design combinations being achievable only through onsite bespoke finishing.
Our new workshop allows a client or design professional to obtain prefinished hardwood floors in exactly the timber, colour and finish they desire and to see the finished product prior to installation. Our range of prefinished hardwood flooring will include engineered and solid flooring, to suit a wide range of site requirements, with any combination of texture, colour and surface treatment as follows:
Textures - Choose from brushing, band-sawing or tumbling, to emphasise the grain and achieve exactly the aged, distressed or rustic finish to enhance your project, in your choice of wood.
Staining - Match existing flooring or create the perfect foundation for your project's colour scheme by specifying exactly the colour you need.
Smoke Treatments - We treat the timber in our smoking chamber to darken and enrich the natural colour throughout your chosen wood. While smoking has always been a prefinishing process, our unit allows you to more closely specify the depth of colour achieved, and the wood you want to apply it to.
Surface Finishes - Oiling or lacquering is often the messiest part of the installation process, and requires expertise to apply evenly over a large area. We apply any surface finish you require directly and consistently to each piece of timber.
The result is prefinished hardwood flooring that is already finished to the client's exact specification, ready to deliver to site for fast installation.
The Benefits of Prefinished Flooring to Design Professionals
The flooring trade and those involved in the building and interior design business will already be familiar with the many benefits of prefinished hardwood floors. What we are offering here is the availability of bespoke prefinished flooring. Our unit offers all the ease of use benefits of prefinished flooring combined with all the innovation and exclusivity of bespoke flooring. We expect the availability of bespoke prefinished floors to transform what design professionals can offer their clients.
Less work - Quite simply, our unit allows you to offer a bespoke service to your clients, but without having to arrange for the additional finishing stages to be carried out on site. For flooring installers this means less manpower and skill required to complete a project; for architects or designers it means faster installation for your client.
Time savings - A complex finish with staining and surface treatments, can take as long as or even longer than the installation of the floor itself. And while treatments are drying this often means no other work can be carried out in the area of the new flooring. Prefinished floors mean faster installation, benefiting both the installer and the client. Where the installation of prefinished hardwood flooring is just part of a bigger building or renovation project, this can result in significant improvements to the overall project timescales.
Higher quality and consistency - Texturing, staining and final finishingare all expert jobs which, if not carried out expertly, can result in a less than perfect floor. With our quality checking this never has to be a problem again - you only take delivery of flooring that is perfectly finished and ready to lay.
Cost-effective - While the cost of bespoke prefinished flooring will inevitably be higher than an off-the-shelf product or an unfinished product, these costs are usually offset by the savings made on finishing costs which, depending on the complexity of treatments, could involve several days of skilled labour. Our soon-to-be-launched Creations range of textures, colours and finishes will provide great options in prefinished flooring, for projects where budget is a primary consideration.
The Benefits of Prefinished Floors to the End Client
The benefits to design professionals of using bespoke prefinished floors are of course mirrored in direct benefits to the end client:
Choice - Clients can get exactly what they want, even if it's not something generally available on the market. For clients who are working with architects or interior designers, the desire for perfection is often significantly greater than cost considerations.
Exclusivity - The big appeal of any bespoke flooring is the idea that the resulting flooring is unique. Our new bespoke service allows this level of exclusivity to be available to a much wider range of clients.
Quality - With bespoke hand finishing on site there is always the chance that the finished result isn't exactly what the client expected. Access to bespoke prefinished hardwood floors will allow the exact colour and texture required by the design brief to be agreed on and achieved before any flooring is even delivered to site. Our bespoke prefinished floors mean that quality and consistency is guaranteed before a single strip or block is laid.
Faster, Cleaner Installation - Clients who would normally prefer a bespoke finish previously had to put up with the fact that this would mean a much longer time for installation, as well as the presence of messy stains, oils and lacquers on their premises. Our new unit offers the prospect of a bespoke finish but without the mess and with far less disruption. This can be especially important to commercial and retail projects where each additional day spent on flooring installation can translate into thousands of pounds of lost sales.
"Creations" Prefinished Hardwood Flooring
Imagine if you could source prefinished hardwood floors that can't be found anywhere else and which are at the cutting edge of current flooring design - but at keen prices?
With over fifteen years experience of installing floors for private clients, architects and interior designers, Naturally Wood Floors are uniquely placed to know about upcoming flooring trends and where customer demand is heading. Our new unit allows us to turn this intelligence into a range of exciting new prefinished flooring products that are unique to Naturally Wood Floors, giving design professionals even more competitive advantage and our private clients even more choice. The "Creations" prefinished hardwood flooring range is being developed with an eye to current design moods and will continue to evolve as it is inspired and updated by the changes in trend.
For more information on our range of Prefinished Flooring, please contact us.
Monday, 25 February 2013
Is Your Hardwood Timber Flooring on-trend?
While some people’s idea of the perfect home or office is to have a classic or traditional interior, others like to keep up with the latest styles and fashions, whether they are selecting paint colours or hardwood timber flooring.
Just as trends come and go for furniture and accessories, the same applies to hardwood timber flooring. However, for the most part high quality solid wood flooring is a timeless option for the home and will outlast the current craze. We’ll take a look at some of the hottest interior trends for 2012/13 and see if your hardwood timber flooring will help or hinder your efforts to stay in vogue.
We’ll also examine design trends for the coming year and in each case show the types of hardwood timber flooring that can help make the look work - either to directly follow the trend, or simply allow them to shine.
Hardwood Timber Flooring - Click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products
Design Trends for 2013
Hardwood Timber Flooring - Click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products
Just as trends come and go for furniture and accessories, the same applies to hardwood timber flooring. However, for the most part high quality solid wood flooring is a timeless option for the home and will outlast the current craze. We’ll take a look at some of the hottest interior trends for 2012/13 and see if your hardwood timber flooring will help or hinder your efforts to stay in vogue.
We’ll also examine design trends for the coming year and in each case show the types of hardwood timber flooring that can help make the look work - either to directly follow the trend, or simply allow them to shine.
Hardwood Timber Flooring - Click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products
Design Trends for 2013
- Citrus Colours. Citrus colours are leading the way in fashion, furniture and soft furnishings with tangerine likely to become the hot new trend. Citrus against paler wood will help to keep the effect light and airy, while darker wood will add drama and contrast. If you want to bring citrus colours into your choice of wood flooring, European Oak hardwood flooring has a warm honey colour that darkens with age and this type of hardwood timber flooring doesn’t date.
- Bold Colours - Whereas there was a trend towards stark, white, minimalist interiors, 2013 is thought to predict bolder accessories where everyday items feature more colour and decoration, and even items such as chopping boards, pans and salt and pepper pots come in a wide range of colours. This all adds drama and ‘noise’ to a space which traditional timber helps to calm and offset. However, if you want to add bolder colours into your hardwood timber flooring, Padouk is a great option for this as it is medium to dark red, with hints of black, as is Purple Heart. Another choice for a striking impact is American Black Walnut or Wenge, which are among the darker woods used for flooring.
- Scandinavian Design - Scandinavian design is about more than flat pack furniture! It is about simplicity of form and the use of natural and sustainable products such as natural wood flooring and furniture. The popularity of this design has never really gone away, but now there is renewed interest in all things Scandinavian as a result of a crop of popular TV shows from Denmark and Finland, for example, and timber flooring is a natural choice for any Scandinavian-inspired look. If you want to achieve this look for 2013 consider the lighter woods such as Ash, Beech and Canadian Maple.
- Wallpaper - The wallpaper comeback continues and flourishes, with bolder patterns in small or large spaces. Having a bold pattern on one wall, or in an alcove, gives a room an instant splash of energy. A splattering of pattern makes a space feel more roomy and draws the eye from one room to another. This type of wallpaper demands a subtle and neutral flooring to prevent overpowering, such as strip wooden flooring. If this is the look you want to achieve, consider a light coloured floor such as Beech or American White Oak hardwood flooring.
- Large-Scale Decor - This trend looks to bold or outsize furnishings and accessories to make a statement, with functional items being seen as work of art in their own right, along with sculptures and wall hangings. Wooden flooring can also become one large piece of art - especially boleflooring which does not have straight parallel panels but instead follows the natural growth of the tree, causing a wavy effect.
- Upcycling - This trend is all about getting hold of old products and giving them a new take while improving the quality. One example of this would be our Legacy Antique Panels. Old wood is (reclaimed from residential buildings and transformed into elegant wooden flooring.
- Eclectic Fusion - Mixing natural and man-made products produces an eclectic look. For example you could team modern furnishings with aged and distressed finishes. It is all about being unique rather than copying a single look throughout the home. Oak hardwood flooring, for instance, can be a subtle canvas for your choice of eclectic furnishings, or it can be stained and finished with dazzling effect, to become part of the story.
Hardwood Timber Flooring - Click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products
Friday, 22 February 2013
Responding to Austerity with Natural Wood Flooring
Natural wood flooring is an obvious choice in today’s current climate of austerity; not only because of its obvious aesthetic appearance, but those who invest in quality wood flooring, do so with the knowledge that they have something that will last - not just another 10 or 15 years - but perhaps a lifetime or more.
With the recent announcement from Chancellor George Osborne showing that there is more austerity to come, the trend in the UK to make use of what you have and valuing quality over quantity is set to continue. So there will always be a demand for natural wood flooring and if anything the demand is on the rise.
Here we shall look at how natural wood flooring reflects social and psychological trends in the current UK climate of austerity.
Natural Wood Flooring - Click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products
Eco-Friendliness and Sustainability
Installing cheap or fashionable flooring only to rip it out again in a few years time does not sit well with many homeowners in the current climate. If you have moved into a home that has an existing solid wood floor and intend to keep it that way, or if you are having new natural wood flooring installed, which is likely to last longer than you are - this is more economical in the long run. The current trend is for people to make their choice not just on aesthetics, but also on long term value, which quality wood flooring has always delivered.
Whether you have inherited natural wood flooring from a previous occupier, or are having a new floor installed, solid wood flooring is not all about the longevity of the product, but it is also good for your conscience too. Wood is one of the most sustainable products there is, so by choosing quality wood flooring this is benefiting the environment and not draining the world of its resources. Naturally Wood are certified by both the Forest Stewardship Council and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. Please contact us to find out more about FSC and PEFC products.
Not only this, but looking after solid wood flooring, and restoring an old, well-loved floor, creates a sense of ‘stewardship’ and gives you the knowledge that you are maintaining something for future generations.
Investing In Quality
Ironically, the more austere the times, the more people will value quality over quantity - even if they have to pay more for it. For instance, in the 1940’s when fabric was rationed, you would always choose the best material you could possibly afford - because a single suit would have to last - and it would have to be suitable for many different occasions. Similarly, investing in solar panels for the home is for future gain as it brings with it the prospect of more manageable fuel bills, as well as being economically sound. Quality wood flooring offers a similar balance of worth and savings as once you have had a new floor installed, it will last for the duration and requires minimal maintenance and upkeep.
Wood Flooring Suits All
There is something very unrestricted and egalitarian about natural wood flooring. The type of wood or the finish chosen may give different effects but quality wood flooring can look just as good in a one-bedroom studio flat as in a historic country setting. The beauty of wood is that it comes in so many different shades and variations - red tints, yellow tints, flecks of gold, knotted appearance etc - so it can suit all sorts of interiors from contemporary, minimalist settings to rustic farmhouses.
If you are unsure of which wood type to choose, or how it will look in your home or office, our team of experts at Naturally Wood will be able to talk through the various options with you. We also have a great sample service, so you can see at first-hand how the finished floor will look.
The Honesty of Wood
In an uncertain economic climate, there is a yearning to surround ourselves with materials and designs that are authentic and which we can depend upon. While carpet and laminate can hide a multitude of imperfections, wood has always been an ‘honest’ material - as what you see is what you get.
This is one reason why wide plank flooring is so popular, because it reveals the true beauty of the wood to its full effect - as do our Bolefloor products, with each board following the natural growth of the tree (as opposed to straight, parallel boards). Of course, our Legacy Antique Panels, constructed by hand from reclaimed wood, create a naturally aged, authentic floor that is simply stunning. Similarly, distressed solid wood flooring is also a popular choice in today’s climate, as it contributes to an authentic look.
About Naturally Wood
Naturally Wood supply and install a full range of quality wood flooring and also provide restoration services throughout London, Kent, Hertfordshire and East Anglia.
Natural Wood Flooring - Click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products
With the recent announcement from Chancellor George Osborne showing that there is more austerity to come, the trend in the UK to make use of what you have and valuing quality over quantity is set to continue. So there will always be a demand for natural wood flooring and if anything the demand is on the rise.
Here we shall look at how natural wood flooring reflects social and psychological trends in the current UK climate of austerity.
Natural Wood Flooring - Click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products
Eco-Friendliness and Sustainability
Installing cheap or fashionable flooring only to rip it out again in a few years time does not sit well with many homeowners in the current climate. If you have moved into a home that has an existing solid wood floor and intend to keep it that way, or if you are having new natural wood flooring installed, which is likely to last longer than you are - this is more economical in the long run. The current trend is for people to make their choice not just on aesthetics, but also on long term value, which quality wood flooring has always delivered.
Whether you have inherited natural wood flooring from a previous occupier, or are having a new floor installed, solid wood flooring is not all about the longevity of the product, but it is also good for your conscience too. Wood is one of the most sustainable products there is, so by choosing quality wood flooring this is benefiting the environment and not draining the world of its resources. Naturally Wood are certified by both the Forest Stewardship Council and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. Please contact us to find out more about FSC and PEFC products.
Not only this, but looking after solid wood flooring, and restoring an old, well-loved floor, creates a sense of ‘stewardship’ and gives you the knowledge that you are maintaining something for future generations.
Investing In Quality
Ironically, the more austere the times, the more people will value quality over quantity - even if they have to pay more for it. For instance, in the 1940’s when fabric was rationed, you would always choose the best material you could possibly afford - because a single suit would have to last - and it would have to be suitable for many different occasions. Similarly, investing in solar panels for the home is for future gain as it brings with it the prospect of more manageable fuel bills, as well as being economically sound. Quality wood flooring offers a similar balance of worth and savings as once you have had a new floor installed, it will last for the duration and requires minimal maintenance and upkeep.
Wood Flooring Suits All
There is something very unrestricted and egalitarian about natural wood flooring. The type of wood or the finish chosen may give different effects but quality wood flooring can look just as good in a one-bedroom studio flat as in a historic country setting. The beauty of wood is that it comes in so many different shades and variations - red tints, yellow tints, flecks of gold, knotted appearance etc - so it can suit all sorts of interiors from contemporary, minimalist settings to rustic farmhouses.
If you are unsure of which wood type to choose, or how it will look in your home or office, our team of experts at Naturally Wood will be able to talk through the various options with you. We also have a great sample service, so you can see at first-hand how the finished floor will look.
The Honesty of Wood
In an uncertain economic climate, there is a yearning to surround ourselves with materials and designs that are authentic and which we can depend upon. While carpet and laminate can hide a multitude of imperfections, wood has always been an ‘honest’ material - as what you see is what you get.
This is one reason why wide plank flooring is so popular, because it reveals the true beauty of the wood to its full effect - as do our Bolefloor products, with each board following the natural growth of the tree (as opposed to straight, parallel boards). Of course, our Legacy Antique Panels, constructed by hand from reclaimed wood, create a naturally aged, authentic floor that is simply stunning. Similarly, distressed solid wood flooring is also a popular choice in today’s climate, as it contributes to an authentic look.
About Naturally Wood
Naturally Wood supply and install a full range of quality wood flooring and also provide restoration services throughout London, Kent, Hertfordshire and East Anglia.
Natural Wood Flooring - Click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Wide Plank Flooring: A Top Interior Design Trend
Wide plank flooring shows that bigger really is better! Hardwood flooring company Naturally Wood are embracing this new design trend. Wide plank floors were historically popular in the grandest of homes but now this form of flooring is enjoying a comeback. Demand for antique flooring such as Naturally Wood’s Legacy range of antique panels - and wide plank floors is growing, not just for large country houses but for contemporary, open plan properties too.
The definition of ‘wide plank flooring’ might mean anything over around 180mm wide and although these floors were commonplace in large properties some 200 years ago, they can also be a stylish option in contemporary homes. Wide plank flooring in modern homes is favoured by many architects and interior designers and specialist hardwood flooring company Naturally Wood can supply planks in widths of up to 500mm and lengths of up to five metres, in their Legacy range of hardwood floors.
Here we shall look at the types of wide plank flooring available through hardwood flooring company Naturally Wood and why this type of flooring is undergoing a revival. It is important to note that the species of wood that successfully function as a wider plank is obviously dependent on the growth habit of the tree and the stability of the timber, which is why Oak is such an obvious choice for wider boards.
Hardwood Flooring Company - Click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products
Why the Appeal of Wide Plank Flooring in Design Today?
Wide plank flooring looks impressive in modern properties or period homes, and follows the current design trend of taking inspiration from vintage themes. The effect is elegant and majestic and there is real beauty in a wide plank floor stretching impressively across a room. It feels more substantial than thinner boards and gives the impression of quality and luxury - just as wider plank floors did in some of the magnificent and imposing properties of bygone ages. Wide plank floors and antique style flooring provide a more relaxed or open feel in a room, which is why they have such an appeal in modern, spacious, open plan interiors.
What is Driving their Appeal?
One of the reasons behind their appeal is that wide plank floors are a twist on something that is already popular: hardwood flooring. Many interior designers, architects, hardwood flooring companies and blogs are bringing to people’s attention the design possibilities of wide plank floors and this has been well received. The interest stems from a variety of reasons, including its visual appeal. Wide plank floors have a very natural look as they show solid wood flooring in its purest state, which is aesthetically appealing.
How is It Being Used?
Naturally Wood hardwood flooring company supply and install hardwood flooring for homes and businesses in a variety of timbers and in any stain or finish. However, a wide plank floor is especially effective when combined with a distressed or aged finish as it produces a more natural, antique style of flooring, which is highly desirable.
Availability of Wide Plank Flooring
In addition to the wider planks available in their Legacy range of solid floors, hardwood flooring company Naturally Wood also supply boards of up to 220mm wide as part of their Fusion range. These can either be filled and sanded (for final finishing on site) or prefinished with oil or lacquer, for ease of installation. Also within this range, Naturally Wood supply and install a fantastic selection of distressed Oak boards up to 240mm wide, and these are available in both natural and smoked engineered oak - and a variety of coloured oil finishes -perfect for creating an antique flooring effect. One of the many wonderful benefits of distressed flooring is that this type of finish enhances the beauty of the wood and gives wide boards in particular, a real depth of character. Distressed or antique flooring is also far easier to maintain as small marks or scratches simply add to the overall character of the floor.
Hardwood Flooring Company - Click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products
The definition of ‘wide plank flooring’ might mean anything over around 180mm wide and although these floors were commonplace in large properties some 200 years ago, they can also be a stylish option in contemporary homes. Wide plank flooring in modern homes is favoured by many architects and interior designers and specialist hardwood flooring company Naturally Wood can supply planks in widths of up to 500mm and lengths of up to five metres, in their Legacy range of hardwood floors.
Here we shall look at the types of wide plank flooring available through hardwood flooring company Naturally Wood and why this type of flooring is undergoing a revival. It is important to note that the species of wood that successfully function as a wider plank is obviously dependent on the growth habit of the tree and the stability of the timber, which is why Oak is such an obvious choice for wider boards.
Hardwood Flooring Company - Click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products
Why the Appeal of Wide Plank Flooring in Design Today?
Wide plank flooring looks impressive in modern properties or period homes, and follows the current design trend of taking inspiration from vintage themes. The effect is elegant and majestic and there is real beauty in a wide plank floor stretching impressively across a room. It feels more substantial than thinner boards and gives the impression of quality and luxury - just as wider plank floors did in some of the magnificent and imposing properties of bygone ages. Wide plank floors and antique style flooring provide a more relaxed or open feel in a room, which is why they have such an appeal in modern, spacious, open plan interiors.
What is Driving their Appeal?
One of the reasons behind their appeal is that wide plank floors are a twist on something that is already popular: hardwood flooring. Many interior designers, architects, hardwood flooring companies and blogs are bringing to people’s attention the design possibilities of wide plank floors and this has been well received. The interest stems from a variety of reasons, including its visual appeal. Wide plank floors have a very natural look as they show solid wood flooring in its purest state, which is aesthetically appealing.
How is It Being Used?
Naturally Wood hardwood flooring company supply and install hardwood flooring for homes and businesses in a variety of timbers and in any stain or finish. However, a wide plank floor is especially effective when combined with a distressed or aged finish as it produces a more natural, antique style of flooring, which is highly desirable.
Availability of Wide Plank Flooring
In addition to the wider planks available in their Legacy range of solid floors, hardwood flooring company Naturally Wood also supply boards of up to 220mm wide as part of their Fusion range. These can either be filled and sanded (for final finishing on site) or prefinished with oil or lacquer, for ease of installation. Also within this range, Naturally Wood supply and install a fantastic selection of distressed Oak boards up to 240mm wide, and these are available in both natural and smoked engineered oak - and a variety of coloured oil finishes -perfect for creating an antique flooring effect. One of the many wonderful benefits of distressed flooring is that this type of finish enhances the beauty of the wood and gives wide boards in particular, a real depth of character. Distressed or antique flooring is also far easier to maintain as small marks or scratches simply add to the overall character of the floor.
Hardwood Flooring Company - Click here to find out more about our solid wood flooring products
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