Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1010276
AUGUST 2018 | 37 Hardwood Flooring Hardwood flooring adapts to open-plan living by LAURIE JONES T he options for hardwood flooring installations are better than ever, with natural looks and intricate custom designs taking centre stage. The latest product trending – and one that TRC Distribution is seeing success with – is Live Sawn White Oak. "The Live Sawn products are a fairly wide plank style, with six to eight inches in width, depending on the size of the tree," says Darcy McLeod, managing partner, TRC Edmonton. "Live Sawn floor- ing shows the entire character of the tree. Usually a log turned many times while being cut to maximize the cleanest colour grades. This 'plain-sawing' results in the majority of the lumber being flat grain. Live saw- ing cuts through the entire log, which results in quarter sawn grain on the outside of the boards and the large cathedrals in the middle of the board. This dramatic look reminds you of what ancient wood flooring looked like before the advent of the modern saw mill." The current trend is for a more natural, unique looking floor and consumers are asking for some more colour variations. "Choices are moving slightly away from greys and more into the browns, including red- brown," says McLeod. "Red was dead for years, but now we are seeing more demand for exotic woods and certainly for brown tones. I think this goes hand-in- hand with people wanting more traditional, or natural looking floors. We have light browns, dark browns, green browns, yellow browns, and red browns." McLeod says there is also a movement towards more patterned floors, especially herringbone. "One of the Live Sawn lines that we carry is called Valaire Hardwood Flooring. The herringbone and basket weave patterns are becoming a lot more com- mon. The plank is six inches wide and the pattern is 4¾-inches wide. People will buy 800 or 1,000 feet for most of their house in plank. Then either in the den or very often underneath a dining table – which is a fea- ture in their house – they will put a border around the pattern and a little herringbone or box pattern inside to capture the eye. It gives a formal dining room a higher end, or even a French look." Priscilla Bergeron, brand manager at Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring, says with the increased pace of life creating welcoming spaces, sanctuaries of harmony to increase the moments of joy in our lives, is now the priority. "Open living spaces are definitely becoming the norm for connect- ing and sharing. With these growing lifestyle trends, some types of flooring are growing in popularity. All our new hardwood floorings being introduced on the market this year bring you smart options that adapt to current needs and lifestyles." The new Estate Series adds a bold and elegant state- ment to a décor. "With its combination of Wire Brushed and Hand Scraped worn texture, its array of soft and rich complex colours range from greige, warm- taupe, bistre to dark rich browns," says Bergeron. "With 6¼-inch-wide planks, this new White Oak Series brings the essence and warmth of old English chic into your home. Discover Moorland, Stonehenge, Yorkshire, Celtik, Natural, Cambridge, New Castle, Wyndham and Frontenac. It is also worth mentioning that the Estate Series is infused with our Pure Genius air-purifying smart technology – a first-of-its-kind innovation in hardwood flooring that makes homes healthier." The Urban Loft Series from Lauzon features four new colours, including light beachy to dark dirty blonde, taupe and a sophisticated and complex dark brown. "These new 7½-inch-wide White Oak hard- wood floors will definitely add character to your home," says Bergeron. Another choice for Lauzon products is the Authentik Series. Historic and timeless with a contemporary twist, this series offers a low-gloss surface and Wire Brushed texture, bringing the beauty of the Red Oak to life. European Touch Hardwood (ETH) recently announced its partnership with Schotten & Hansen of Germany, a manufacturer of high-end hardwood flooring for commercial, hospitality, and residen tial applications. Natural Coverage Schotten & Hansen wide board from European Touch Hardwood. Schotten & Hansen long board from European Touch Hardwood. Urban Loft white oak from Lauzon Distinctive. Estate white oak from Lauzon Distinctive. Valaire Hardwood Flooring from TRC Distribution Inc.