Property Plus
Coimbatore
The forests at your feet
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What is it that makes the wooden flooring so special? A look at the latest offer by RANJANI GOVIND
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You can walk heavily on this. It can take the human traffic with ease, says Vijay Aggarwal, MD, H. & R. Johnson (India) Ltd, referring to the new brand of ‘Lumber wood tiles’, the recent range of wooden flooring, imported from Germany, and brought out by Johnson (under its Endura brand) the tile and solutions company in baths, sanitaryware and accessories.
“What makes it unique is its ‘Silenzio’ sound proofing technology to reduce the audible sound of echoes by almost half and guarantees the warmth of wood,” explains Vijay. “In addition, its ‘JustClic’ technology (available in 8 and 9 mm thickness) ensures faster installation and it is non-abrasive, environmental friendly, colourfast and resistant to stain, impact and house-hold chemicals.”
Wooden flooring isn’t a novelty anymore…they have captured a sizeable market with all its features that floor the new and impressive salaries. When the numbers are there to buy and experiment, the supply too has been exponential, what with dizzying varieties that speak of features, and more features!
Further more, one basic aspect that forms the foundation for building up a feel to a room is the character one gives to the floor. Every other decoration is dependant on this distinctive surface make-up. Flooring is treated as a building concept these days. Earthy red oxides gave way to mosaics. Ceramic tiles, marble and granite soon followed, only to be overtaken by vitrified flooring with improved edgings.
And now, laminated wooden flooring from umpteen companies is seen in several hospitality and home sectors, thanks to the European lifestyle invasion! It’s not just there, but they are available in a mind-boggling range and hue to satisfy the colour freaks too.
Johnson’s Lumber floors are available in a variety of colours and designs such as Jakarta teak, Oxford oak, Wenge, Maple parquet, Light Parquet, Light Beige, Merbau Parquet, Saddle, Corona Beech, Merbau Manila, Windsor oak, Grey planked and Farmhouse Beech. Says Vijay, “Our new offer is ideal for heavy domestic and moderate commercial use. It comes in one size (1298 x 192mm) with a minimum guarantee of 15 years.
The Pergo Design Centre, from Pergo India, offers 30 varieties in the international market and has nearly 20 in India with a multitude of decors to suit colour and price textures. Says K.R. Shivshankar, CEO, Pergo India, “Our range caters to people who want to upgrade themselves to a high-end selection, and people would love our economical ‘Pergo Family’ to see themselves stepping on a new earthy feel after ceramic floors that have given way.” Pergo’s ‘Expression Strips’ are special planks modelled with bevelled edges, giving a parquet feel, with the rustics that are seen in hues like wenge, golden, smoked oak, aged elm and salted lapacho. No they aren’t ice-creams, just the kind to taste a step on!
Says Shivshankar, “Pergo has a special range of synchronised grain surfaces. They are protected with TitanXSurface, a coating of aluminium oxide spray, a hard substance, maybe next to diamond, to make it more tough.”
Their Uniq series has a multi-layer build-up system that is, armed overlays that help the floor be wear-scratch-impact resistant and the sound-reducing underlay foam supposedly reduces decibel level by 50 per cent.
And what goes into the making of Johnson’s Lumber wood? “The flooring is prepared by fixing the décor paper on special HDF core board which is made from natural wood fibre. After pressing, the décor paper is laminated and the flooring is ready to be installed,” says Vijay. As per the European building codes, Lumber is scratch-proof and stain-proof. The colours and textures available are original and not polished, he says. Starting from a range that costs Rs. 125 per sq. ft, even a 1500 sq. ft house can be done up within 48 hours and can stay put for a cool 15 years claims Vijay. Breaking away from the monotony of ceramic tile flooring is all fine, but what is it that makes the Lumber the Number to choose? “Its robust surface is extended to the edges with abrasion guarantee; the specially introduced swell barrier coreboard makes it resistant to ingress of moisture;
It has over 90 per cent wood which is residual wood from sustainable managed forest enterprises; and is resistant to UV rays.”
While Pergo claims that even the worst of stains can be removed with methylated spirits or acetone which will not bleach the treated laminate, its is said wooden floors are ‘lazy man’s floors’ as they require just brooming and an occasional moist mop. Johnson, however, throws a spark,
“Lumber wood will not damage even if a lit cigarette is dropped on the floor!”
(Contact House of Johnson at toll free number 1800 – 22 – 7484 ; and Pergo Design Centre at 080-25507064/65)
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Property Plus
Coimbatore
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