Got the look: exotic woods and unique designs are turning heads in homes nationwide - Interior Products

Building Products, Jan-Feb, 2004 by Stephanie Herzfeld

Oak still reigns as king of wood flooring. but exotic species and other domestic woods are parading into oak's court because they're more readily available than before and becoming more affordable.

Anything that's "different from a standard morn-and-pop oak floor" is making an impact, says Dave Polisky, vice president of technical services for Tarkett.

According to Mickey Moore, technical director for the Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association, 2 1/4-inch-wide oak strip flooring still is the most popular choice across the board.

"It's very versatile and can be stained any color and has a high resale, value," claims Scott Clapham, a dealer and installer with S.E.C. Flooring, a firm with divisions in Lexington, Ky., and Rochester, Mich.

However, industry experts say that domestic maple, hickory, ash, and walnut are gaining ground as are species from abroad.

Moore notes that South American and other imports (like Brazilian walnut as well as teak and bamboo) began pouring in from overseas during the past five years. Consequently, some exotic species, like Brazilian cherry in particular, now are the same price as oak.

Clapham estimates that Brazilian cherry is available for $8 per square foot installed, allowing pros the opportunity to offer their clients a floor outside the norm.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

While mom's and pop's oak floor might not be in vogue, grandma's well-worn floor boards are making a comeback. Whether it's genuine reclaimed lumber or a new re-creation, floors with an antique flavor are hot commodities.

"One of the biggest trends right now is hand-sculptured hardwood flooring, where surface texture is sculpted into each board by hand to create a random, lived-in appearance," claims Steve Bunch, director of business development for Columbia Flooring, whose firm manufactures eight hand-sculpted designs.

Minneapolis-based remodeler Wally Orfield even went so far as to use reclaimed planking that featured exposed nails, at his client's request, in a recent rustic kitchen remodel, although he admits that's not typical.

Wider floorboards measuring 5, 6, and even 10 inches are a more common way for homeowners to achieve the looks of yesteryear, Orfield says.

ENGINEERED STABILITY

Meanwhile, engineered hardwood flooring is a growing alternative to solid hardwood flooring because of its many benefits.

The engineered product, which is available from many manufacturers in numerous species, features a veneer over a stock wood core and is more dimensionally stable, moisture-resistant, and cost-effective than many solid woods because it is uniform throughout, manufacturers say. What's more, it can be laid on, above, or below grade for quick installation.

In addition, manufacturers continue to offer time-saving pre-finished flooring lines.

"What typically takes three to four days to finish on site can be achieved immediately by installing a pre-finished floor," Polisky says.

Often featuring aluminum-oxide finishes, pre-finished floors sport lengthy warranties (many firms have 25-year limited guarantees) because they are stain-resistant and low maintenance.

By contrast, the finish on a site-finished floor may only last five or six years, manufacturers say.

FANCY FOOTING

Oak or exotic, natural or engineered, site-finished or pre-finished, wood flooring is showing up in unique applications throughout the home--from basements to bedrooms.

According to Armstrong officials, mixing materials such as stone and ceramic tile with wood in foyer and kitchen island border applications is a hot trend.

And it's spilling over into other rooms, says Clapham. "I've done a lot of border work in dining rooms that matches the furniture," the installer notes.

Although similar shades are typical, the consensus is that a wood floor doesn't have to be identical to the other lumber used throughout the rest of the home. With custom looks going mainstream, there's lots of flexibility for designers to create distinctive surfaces, claim the pros.

"We'll see more off-oak species with value-added design options such as wider planks and more colors as unique wood flooring trickles down the market," Polisky predicts.

Columbia Flooring. The firm makes solid hardwood flooring that can be sanded and re-stained multiple times as well as engineered wood flooring that features a furniture-quality top layer, says the maker. Oak, cedar, cherry, pear-wood, rosewood, and walnut species are available in both formats; maple, pecan, and merbau species come in engineered applications. 800-654-8796. www.columbiaflooring.com. Circle 150.

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Hartco. The Valenza collection comes in 3/4-inch-thick and 3 1/2-inch-wide solid and 1/2-inch-thick and 3/4-inch-wide engineered profiles, which allows home-level, owners to have exotic looks at any grade level, says the maker. Specialty species include lapcacho, sakura, jatoba, cabreva, pradoo, and kempas; all are in their natural color. 800-442-7826. www.hartcoflooring.com. Circle 151.

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Bruce. Turlington Plank and Liberty Plains are the newest lines from the manufacturer. Turlington American oak 3/8-inch engineered planks feature a furniture look and feel, says the maker. The Liberty Plains collection includes oak, maple, and ash in 3-, 4-, and 5-inch-wide planks. Collections can be mixed and matched For custom looks. 800-722-4647. www.bruce.com. Circle 152.