The flooring industry continues to push boundaries with really advanced product lines, using all types of new technologies to generate custom "looks" for the flooring buyer. Here's an overview of the present fashions we are seeing:
Flooring in colours on both ends of the spectrum;
This past year, we noticed a rise in dark floors; especially dark stained hardwood floors. Nothing says modern and contemporary like the bold contrast between a really dark ebony floor, paired with stark-white base molding and brightly colored walls. Moving into 2018, we are seeing this tendency of contrast persist. As beautiful as a dim hardwood floor is, when you have kids or pets, this tendency might not be the ideal fit for you. The darker the floor-color, the more dust, dirt and pet hair you can see; not to mention scratches from pets' claws. On the opposite end of the spectrum, we're seeing more and more natural and light colours, like natural bamboo floors as well as Maple hardwood. Light colored floors make the space seem larger, open and inviting. Adding a profound, bold wall shade with your light flooring can create a warm look that's also practical to pet owners. Light and natural floors show not as much dirt, pet hair and scratches. The only exception we're seeing for this trend of contrast is Gray flooring. Gray flooring took the design world by storm last year, and this trend is not letting up anytime soon. Gray is neutral, yet bold, goes with everything, making a statement.
Getting Rid Of the Glossy End;
Low luster, super "matte" finish is a fad that is coming straight out of Europe. Satin is a nice in-between option of sheen level. It isn't too shiny, and is not really matte either. It holds positive characteristics from both ends of this sheen spectrum.
Hardwood floors are timeless; which goes without saying. They have been around for centuries, and are one of the most customizable flooring choices out there. They give the floor an updated appearance into the contemporary world we are living in now. Changing the plank width in the old 2 1/4" to 5" surely makes your room more modern. It adds depth to a room making it feel bigger and modern. The usage of wide plank-sizes for hardwood floors is another trend that's transitioning into 2018 quite smoothly. The only distinction is the broad planks aren't only being used for hardwood flooring, we see that this trend being incorporated into other types of floors too. You may find a broad board in only about any sort of flooring in the marketplace. The industry really took this appearance and ran onto it, producing broad- plank choices in luxury vinyl, Coretecvinyl, laminate, engineered wood flooring, as well as wood-look tile flooring! This is undoubtedly a trend growing in popularity across the flooring market.
Bamboo Flooring,
There is really no other flooring that has the look of natural bamboo. It is exceptional in appearance,
as well as incredibly strong and durable. Strand Bamboo floors is actually 3 times harder than Red Oak floors (to give you an example). Bamboo has come a long way, as far as being an eco friendly and sustainable material, with LEED licensed specifications. There's Strand Bamboo flooring that's FSC Certified and formaldehyde-free, which makes it a safe selection for any area in your home.
Made In America,
More and more people are leaning toward eco-friendly and sustainable material for their own flooring. Even though Bamboo is one of the more popular flooring options within this category, it is becoming more evident that individuals like the idea of "homegrown" and "manufactured in America." There's also a far smaller carbon footprint made whenever your flooring is not being sent half way round the world, which is also why we're seeing a rise in domestic hardwoods. Domestic hardwood means it had been manufactured from a tree which naturally grows here from the U.S.. The most popular domestic hardwoods are White Oak and Red Oak.
Today's flooring customers are looking for more character in their flooring. They're searching for habitmade, and special ways to have their flooring stand out from the remainder. One growing trend that helps give flooring a character of its own, is incorporating texture, or distress. There are a couple options for creating feel which aren't necessarily new, but are definitely making a statement and influencing a wide range of flooring materials. To attain the distressed appearance, there is a couple of ways you may go about it... Installing reclaimed hardwood is one. Reclaimed hardwood flooring is growing in popularity , again, a trend continuing on from 2017. Reusing wood salvaged from some thing like an old barn is a superb way to recycle old stuff. Salvaged wood can either be utilized responsibly or re-manufactured into flooring planks we utilize now. It's its own unique characteristics and variations. This substance will not carry a hefty price tag, but just think about all of the trees you are saving, and just how great of a conversation piece it could be if you are entertaining guests! How many men and women get to say "My floor has been made from a 300 year old barn." Another way to achieve the distressed look is by using a texturing method. Adding texture to your floors gives it a completely new look and feel. It's a brand new way to produce your floors unique in personality, besides just changing the color and finish. It's also a great idea for pet owners also! The textured surface really avoids scratches from pet nails well. "Hand Scrapping" is the most popular way to add texture to hardwood flooring. This technique is applied just like it sounds... the wood is literally trashed by hand, developing a unique feel and look to your hardwood floor. With a wire brush to scrape on the surface of the wood does not create quite as much texture hand scrapping, but it does expose more of the woods natural grain lines. The wire brush application creates a floor that basically looks like it aged really well. Additionally, this is another good solution for pet owners.
There are pre-finished wood flooring products, both solid and engineered, that are made with the surface. We have even seen this textured look span to luxury vinyl, coretec and laminate flooring as well.
