by Arimar | Jun 27, 2017 | Blogs, Floor Art Collection, Iberian Collection
Flooring Trend: Matte Finish Hardwood
Smoked Oak Rustic European White Oak
Hardwood floors are known for their gloss and shine. A question we often hear and our customers say they get from clients is about what makes flooring shiny and if there’s a difference between the shine factors.
Where exactly does that shine come from?
A hardwood floor’s gloss comes from the amount of light that is reflected off them. Typically, a hardwood floor’s shine is measured by its luster, on a scale of zero to 100. The floor’s luster is the amount of glow that is seen from reflected light. Here’s how the shine level compares across finishes:
High-gloss = 75% or higher
Semi-gloss = 55-70%
Satin = 30-50%
Matte = 1-20%
How do the finishes compare?
As you can see, matte floors have the least amount of shine. Everyone has their preferences. Some people like the glossy finishes for their aesthetic. Glossy floors can look rather impressive and make a statement in a home. But For consumers who are craving a truly “natural,” clean feel to their homes, matte finish is ideal because it accentuates the natural look of the wood.
Why matte finish?
A matte finish does not reflect as much light as a glossy floor does. As a result, a benefit of matte finished floors is that, in general, they hide dirt, scratches and imperfections better than high-gloss finishes. This is especially good for families with young kids, pet owners or for high-traffic areas because they don’t show as much dust, dirt or prints.
Valencia Rustic European White Oak
How are the floors Arimar carries finished?
Many of our flooring collections are finished with an extreme matte UV-top coat that features the look and feel of a natural oiled floor. If your client is interested in matte finish hardwood floors, they will like our wide plank, white oak floors. Smoked Oak Rustic European White Oak, which has a rich chocolate tone, is a top seller. In our Iberian Collection, Valencia Rustic European White Oak, which has a well-balanced tan and grey coloring, is a popular choice.
If you or your client have any questions about floor finishes in general or would like to learn more about the finishes of our hardwood floors, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
by Arimar | May 30, 2017 | Blogs, Floor Art Collection
What Is Fumed Oak Flooring
Fumed, or smoked oak is oak wood flooring which has been treated to change its colour. Fuming or smoking involves putting the oak into an enclosed environment in which ammonia is introduced into the atmosphere. This enclosed environment might be a closed tank or a sealed tent or some form of container into which only a relatively small amount of ammonia is introduced. The effect of the ammonia in the air is that the colour of the wood is changed.
It is a common mistake that fuming or smoking oak involves the application of the ammonia to the oak, but this is not the case. The change in colour comes about from the wood’s reaction to the presence of ammonia in the atmosphere. Effectively what happens is that the ammonia causes the tannins in the wood to be brought to the surface. The closer the tannins are to the surface, the darker the wood will appear. The longer the wood is exposed to the ammonia, the darker it becomes. The results obtained from fuming or smoking will range from a rich brown colour to almost black.
Essentially, the intensity of the colour and the tone of the colour will depend upon the length of time the wood stays in contact with the ammonia fumes. Periods of as little as twelve hours will provide a lightly fumed effect and 72 hours a darker result. Furthermore, the higher the temperature in the chamber, as you would imagine, the quicker colour change results will appear, but not only that, the tone will be affected. Hotter temperatures typically introduce red tones and cooler temperatures green tones allowing for creativity when it comes to the fuming or smoking process.
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by Arimar | May 10, 2017 | Blogs, Floor Art Collection
Featured Floor: Watzmann European White Oak
Beautiful and timeless, our Feature Floor Watzmann European White Oak is a popular flooring choice among our clients. It offers both elegance and durability to a wide range of residential and commercial spaces. Whether you’re designing an old world living room or an industrial kitchen, Watzmann hardwood flooring adds an element of rustic beauty, creating an inviting and welcoming space.
The Look
The Watzmann Rustic European White Oak hardwood floor offers a decorative, sophisticated look. Its warm brown tones balance modern edges while hand textured finish adds character. This dense oak wood has a light smoked appearance that has a moderate variation from a gray-brown color to honey undertones. Its smooth lines are wire-brushed. This accents the deep textured grain resulting in subtle texture variations.
The Size
Because the planks are a wider width, each plank shows off a much larger portion of the wood’s grain, displaying impressive patterns and color variations. Wider planks also mean fewer seams between planks; many any homeowners like the way this feels underfoot as it creates a smoother surface. The larger portion of a grain that’s shown on wide hardwood planks also creates a rustic feel that’s very popular in current décor.
The Durability
Made with European White Oak, this hardwood floor offers strong durability and excellent resistance. The use of Heveas or Rubber core in the engineered construction makes this floor environmentally friendly. This European oak floor is offered in 7.5-inch wide planks and is sturdy enough to handle heavy foot traffic, which works well for rooms in homes or commercial spaces with high use like entry ways and hallways.
One of the things our customers love most about Watzmann European White Oak hardwood floor is the unique beauty it adds to a space whether residential or commercial. Contact us, our team will be more than happy help you create your next project.
by Arimar | May 2, 2017 | Arimar International, Blogs, Exotic & Tropical Collection, Floor Art Collection, Iberian Collection
What To Know About Color Variation in Wood Flooring
Wood is a natural product. Maybe it goes without saying, but it is important to note that because wood is a natural product, that means each piece of wood is unique. This includes coloring and variations within that coloring. Natural hardwood boards vary in color from board-to-board. Every piece you get is different. This variation is part of the wood’s beauty and it is normal.
Floor Art Collection
Many factors affect the color of the board: the species of the tree, where the tree grew and the local climate, when the tree was felled, how it was sawn and dried, when or if it was milled, for how long it was stored, how the wood accepts the stain. With so many variables to consider, it is understandable then that you my notice differences in color and grain as well as imperfections that make each board unique. For this reason, when you open a box of hardwood flooring, you may see that there are variations in shading, tree markings and grain patterns. Remember to assure your homeowners and clients that these attributes are normal and should not be cause for concern to them.
Exotic & Tropical Collection
Also note that hardwood floors can change color naturally over time. Most species will darken with time into richer shade variations than from when you originally purchased and installed it. Some species will lighten over time. Again, this is normal.
Now, that we have covered what is considered natural color variations, it is also necessary to review what problems with color variations may arise, such as fade markings or spots. Fade markings can occur where furniture has been placed and or moved around or where flooring is hit with constant direct sunlight. Rotating furniture on a regular basis can help prevent fade markings. For rooms that are sunlit for the majority of the time, consider placing an area rug in those areas consistently within direct sunlight or hanging light opaque curtains or blinds over windows, which filter sunlight while maintaining room bright.
Iberian Collection
Contact Arimar and our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about color variations and other hardwood flooring needs.
by Arimar | Jan 10, 2017 | Arimar International, Blogs, Iberian Collection
The Well Traveled Look Global Design Style
Colorful hues and big, bold patterns, with influences from South America, are behind the latest home and interior décor trends, including hardwood floors. More and more, consumers want to adopt some sense of personalized history and authenticity to their homes. Designers are taking their cue from this trip through design styles from around the continent, giving spaces a personal touch.
This trend is joyful, colorful and vibrant. The result is an unexpected style with re-purposed product design, spontaneous improvisation, and an eclectic mix of color and pattern. Some of the items you might see trending inspired by this big, bold trend are: scrap wood re-purposed as wallpaper, a fan reclaimed as a lamp, cork and felt transformed into a rug, recycled skateboards made into stools, bulbs recreated into a vase. Handcrafted wood flooring, such as the Valencia Rustic White Oak from our Iberian Collection pictured above, with authentic wire-brushed finishes lend themselves well to this new trend.
Pictured: scrap wood repurposed as wallpaper by Piet Hein Eek
This design style is characterized by ornate accessories and details. A reclaimed and repurposed design agenda is inspired and reinforced by the exuberant energy of a fusion of cultures. Important materials include reclaimed woods, handcrafted wood flooring, brightly colored woven and knitted yarn constructions, cork, scuffed leather and bamboo. The strength of inspiration which derives from global art, cultural motifs and specialized techniques can be applied to all manner of colors, textiles and decoration – from accents, decors, wall treatments, rugs, cushions, throws, towels and bed linens. What emerges is truly unique and show stopping.
