by Arimar | Sep 6, 2016 | Blogs, Floor Art Collection, Iberian Collection
Kitchens with Hardwood Floors
Home is where the kitchen is. Kitchens have become more than a place to cook, they are we gather with family and friends. Whether in the morning to share a cup of coffee and read the paper or on a weekend evening entertaining guests. In fact, according to the 2016 Houzz Kitchen Trends Survey, some 60% of homeowners spend more than three hours a day in their kitchens. Because we’re spending more and more of our time in the kitchen, homeowners understand the value of investing in not only functionality but also look. Among those polled by Houzz, 15% said they spent more than $75,000 to transform their kitchens into high-end activity hubs.
One of the first factors people consider when renovating or making over a kitchen is choosing the right floor. Hardwood flooring is an ideal choice for a timeless look that never goes out of style. Hardwood is also highly durable, low-maintenance and, with the right sealant, moisture resistant. For open floor concepts, hardwood also works well in both kitchens and living creating a unified visual appeal.
Engineered wood in particular is optimal for kitchens. Because they’re made with real wood backed by layers of sturdy plywood, this construction provides dimensional stability, making the flooring less susceptible to movement caused by changes in humidity and temperature (common in kitchens).
Take a look at these five stunning kitchens in our gallery for inspiration:
Rossell Rustic European White Oak
Fitzroy Rustic European White Oak
Smoked Brushed Rustic White Oak
European Rustic White Oak
Nice European Rustic White Oak
Metz Brown Rustic European White Oak
by Arimar | Sep 5, 2016 | Arimar International, Blogs, Floor Art Collection
Upcoming trends in wood flooring for 2017
What can you expect to see in 2017? Here are three trends to watch in the flooring industry that will continue to trend in the coming year.
Hand-scraped: Contractors are noting growing interest among homeowners who want to replicate the rustic look. This has led to an upswing in demand for distressed, hand-scraped flooring. These floors are also practical; many homeowners select hand-scraped floors to place in spaces that may sustain wear and tear.
Kitchens: The “great room” concept uniting kitchens and family rooms into one expansive space is gaining popularity, according to home designers. With an increase in homeowners asking for open concept spaces, it has become more common to see hardwoods on kitchen floors, which create a seamless, flow between the spaces.
Wider planks: We have seen preferences in hardwoods lean toward wider planks or toward using multiple-sized planks. Wider planks give a room the appearance of added depth, making them particularly good to install in a small room or open floor plan to make the space look bigger.
Metz-Brown Rustic European White Oak
by Arimar | Aug 30, 2016 | Arimar International, Blogs, Iberian Collection
Hardwood Flooring Increases Home Resale Value
Flooring, regardless of the type, is the focal point of nearly any home and ties the rooms of a house together. And the right flooring can add value to a home now and in the future when it comes time to sell.
Wood floors add beauty and charm, and its character and sophistication is hard to match. The rule of thumb on flooring is the most resilient and long lasting, the higher the upgrade, but the higher return is on investment – wood flooring, solid and engineered, is on the higher end of the spectrum.
Lucca European White Oak
A study of home buyer preferences by USA Today, using data from the National Association of Realtors found that 54% of home buyers were willing to pay more for a home with hardwood flooring. Homeowners have also seen a higher return on investment if they sell their home with new or refinished hardwood floors.
Likewise, a survey by the National Wood Flooring Association echoed this, with a majority of real estate agents saying houses with hardwood flooring are easier to sell, sell for more money and sell faster. Anecdotally, this is especially so when homes have wood flooring in key rooms, such as living room, dining room and family room, as well as master bedroom.
While the up-front cost may be higher, hardwood flooring can greatly impact resale value. There is no doubt that wood flooring brings a “wow” factor to a home.
Explore Arimar’s hardwood collections >>
by Arimar | Aug 24, 2016 | Blogs, Floor Art Collection
Hardwood Flooring: Sustainable and Eco-Friendly
There is a growing trend in customers interested in long-term sustainable solutions for flooring. They want high quality, eco-friendly flooring for their homes, opting more often for hardwood flooring and engineered wood flooring over other alternatives.
Parlermo Rustic European White Oak
At Arimar International, we believe in environmental and corporate social responsibility; in practicing sustainable forestry our forests will be viable for generations to come. Wood flooring is the most abundantly renewable flooring material available, and is the most environmentally friendly flooring option available. Sustainable forest management makes it possible to harvest wood without any serious impact on the environment, according to the U.S. Forest Service. Furthermore, because wood floors can last hundreds of years, they use fewer raw materials, energy and natural resources.
Arimar’s manufacturing processes utilize the entire tree from root to crown, leaving no waste behind. Therefore, you can be rest assured that our hardwood floors are produced with sustainable practices.
Our Floor Art Wide Plan Collection is also made out of Heveas or Rubber tree. Hevea is well known for its high density, hardness, and physical and mechanical strength, with similar characteristics to Oak. An added benefit is the Rubberwood’s high level of dimensional stability, allowing it to withstand external pressures such as temperature, moisture and air. This makes it an exceptionally great option for homes in warmer, more humid climates. Explore Arimar’s Floor Art Collection>>
