LAMINATE
HOT OFF THE PRESS
This year’s key natural look laminate is reaching a new high in perfection with light colours, authentic textures and super-long planks. Here, European Laminate Flooring Producers reports on the latest flooring trends.
At the beginning of the year, European Laminate Flooring Producers (EPLF) presented their latest collections at Domotex, the international trade fair for floor coverings. The hottest trends in furnishings are “Shabby Chic”, “Vintage” and “Scandinavian Style” and these are also evident in the flooring market with its wide variety of laminate decors, textures and sizes on offer – all displayed in individual and ever-changing ways. These resilient and easy-to-maintain laminate floors are made in Europe with impressive good looks and premium product features combined with proven quality.
The current look for flooring manifests itself as original, clearly defined and natural. So it’s no wonder, then, that oak decors – so versatile to
use – continue
to dominate the laminate market.
However, other premium and natural design decors such as wych elm, ash,
spruce, larch, walnut and pine are increasingly finding favour
40
amongst buyers. With regard to colour schemes, wood effects currently have a tendency towards the lighter natural tones, such as greige, light beige, cream, warm light grey shades, or a white stained matt finish. The creative scope for laminate flooring designs continues to be intriguingly large – with every new collection, the products are refined not only visually, but also in terms of their technical specification. Due to advanced printing and finishing techniques, the planks present the perfect interplay between decor and texture. More defined printing with a three-dimensional effect gives the true- to-nature grain patterns of the decors a more authentic look and more vibrant colours. Whether brushed, sanded or rough sawn, the surface textures can invariably be clearly felt. On the whole, the wood-like appearance is being presented in a calmer and more reserved way than in previous years; cracks and knots on the surface are rather less pronounced. The finishes range from high gloss through to semi- matte and matte low gloss effects, in the style of oiled wooden flooring. Stone decor ranges are available with realistically recreated surfaces featuring
high-quality ceramic textures and the appearance of semi-matte or porous natural stone.
The contemporary trend for open space living is well served by rustic planks, which remain a favourite. Extra-long and extra-wide formats provide an even greater choice – equipped, of course, with the practical click-lock laying technique. Even where the length of the planks exceeds two metres, there is no pattern repeat to distract the eye. The extra-large sizes create the impression of generously-sized rooms and result in a beautiful floor pattern, allowing the colours and surface textures of these authentic wood decors to really come into their own.
To augment these versatile laminate flooring ranges, special plank designs have been added: moisture-repellent surfaces for use in kitchens and bathrooms are just as readily available as highly non-slip surfaces for use in entrance and work areas. With their proven quality and future-oriented innovations, laminate floors made in Europe will once again be the world leaders in 2015.
www.eplf.com
www.tomorrowsflooring.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64