Warming to wood

[More Images]

Wooden floors are becoming an increasingly popular option throughout the region. It's just a case of pinpointing the right species, style, colour and type for your space, says Selin Arkut

Although marble and tiles have traditionally dominated the floors of commercial spaces in this region, wooden flooring is definitely gaining in popularity. “Locally, I believe the attraction of wood flooring is beginning to supersede the tradition of tiled and marbled floors – customary in most new and existing properties in the region,” agreed Pauline Madani, managing director of Nordic Homeworx, a Swedish-owned company specialising in the supply and installation of Kährs real wood parquet flooring in the region.

“There is increasing demand for aesthetically pleasing, as opposed to purely functional, interiors. There is such a wide variation of choice in products that just about any style, furniture or décor can be complemented by a real wood floor, and people are beginning to realise its real attraction. Furthermore, real wood flooring will not only add to the beauty, but also to the value of a property,” she added.

Wooden flooring can give a room depth, warmth and a unique look and feel – and it is durable and hard wearing at the same time. “A solid wooden floor from Junckers adds authenticity and warmth to a room,” commented Jesper Haulund Hansen, group marketing manager of Junckers, one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of solid hardwood floors. “Available in a wide range of species, structures and patterns, the floor is the first piece of furniture in a room.”

Story continues below

Advertisement

FEATURED COMMENT I'm not sure about the statement that laminate flooring won't last in a commercial installation. I think this depends p   1 Comments Read more comments »

On the dark side

However, designers opting for wooden flooring can sometimes be overwhelmed by the number of species, colours, styles and potential lifespans to choose from. “The character of the wood is important for the overall impression of the floor. Graining, figuring and colour variations give the floor a lively look, while a calm impression is achieved with an evenly toned floor,” said Madani.

Designers can also consider using wood in combination with hard stone or tiles, as this can introduce an interesting set of contrasts. As will soft textiles or carpets, which can accentuate the smooth surface of a wooden floor. “A contrast will always add an interesting aspect to the space,” Madani continued. 

According to Nick Gregory, managing director of Austrian Woodfloors, the sole agent for brands Admonter and Vito, dark woods are emerging as a particularly popular option in this region. “One of the main trends I have seen throughout this region is the interest to move towards dark woods, teamed with creamy, light coloured furniture. With a contrast like that, the room in question looks very noble,” he said. 

“Mocca is one of our most popular dark wood lines. Many people have dark floors, this isn’t a new phenomenon. However, they are usually stained. The difference with our products is that we put the top layer of our floors into a kiln, reaching temperatures of up to 250 degrees. As the sugar in the wood caramelises, its shade naturally darkens.”

“This also aids in making the product suitable for bathroom use, as this particular treatment makes the wood shrink from its usual size and the pores subsequently close, not allowing any moisture to get in,” Gregory continued.