It is already that time of year that some hate and others… we just love it. Decoration is essential to create a cosy atmosphere during this jolly season. Not only for making everyone feel comfortable but also for fighting against the cold temperatures. The materials you choose are really important to achieve a pleasant and warm environment. Mohair and wool blankets, velvet cushions and in general thick fabrics help to feel snug and wrapped up in your sofa. A good duvet and a plaid on the bed will make you want to sleep in forever. And of course, our favourite material, wood, will add to this whole halo of warmth. Used on the floor it allows you to walk barefoot with thick socks but even better, it also helps to balance the temperature since it is a good heat conductor ideal for radiant floors. In furniture it adds that rustic touch you might find in a country house that you do not want to leave. Even a wooden panelling on the dining room wall will make your evenings a success. The planks can be placed horizontally to increase the visual extension of the room or vertically, to create a visual effect of higher walls. Also, between each plank you can leave a 4 mm slot to reinforce the rustic style or, if you are looking for something more sophisticated, use the same click that is used on the floor so there is no gap between them. Apart from the use of materials, if you are a skilled person you can even create an original and different Christmas tree with the boards that have been left over from the floor or the wall installation. Simply cut 6 tables each with 10 cm difference between them, center them so that they shape the tree and fix them to the wall with double-sided tape. The tinsel is up to you, but you will create a different and original tree which you won’t make you sweep every 5 minutes and that does not occupy space. Only benefits when you are using wood to create a Christmas atmosphere.
Future has arrived to flooring business too. Technology Company Aectual will manufacture 3D printed floors in a sustainable way. This technology allows to make unique and personalized designs for large areas. They used terrazo as material. First floor will be placed at Amsterdam Schiphol airport. We make it possible to create your own design for spectacular floors in, for example, a hotel lobby, or for a striking retail brand says Hans Vermeulen, CEO of Aectual. This gives designers complete design freedom There is a catalogue that offers a special pattern selection to clients, which is going to be adapted to each project. Unique details can easily be added to emphasize special areas, branding and routing. This innovation is possible thanks to physical and software tools that have evolved to develop a 3D printed XL floor. Technology is a major factor, providing the customer with an easy, affordable and reliable design process, as well as reducing the installation period. In terms of material, it is a bio-agglutinating terrazzo, with a wide range of colours and fillers that leave us with a bio-printed plastic floor with recycled materials and an unparalleled finish. They are of high quality and resistant to wear and tear. During Dutch Design Week Aectual presents the unique digital production process, and a selection of floor patterns, including the design for the Schiphol floor. On Sunday, October 29, Aectual celebrates its official launch with the ‘Democratizing Design Debate’ in which several well-known architects and designers of DDW, will speak with the audience about the influence of digital technology on design.
The choice of flooring, whether in a home or commercial premises, is a crucial aspect in the interior design and one of the most carefully considered decisions to be made, as it will serve a functional as well as a decorative purpose. Considering that installing a new floor will entail a considerable investment, it is worth looking for the option that can offer the best long-term performance.In today’s market, there is a wide range of options, but natural wood flooring continues to be the choice par excellence. And no wonder, it is a warm and versatile material that offers great aesthetic results, as well as being sustainable, renewable and environmentally friendly. All this has led many materials over the years to seek to imitate its beauty and performance. In today’s post we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of one of them which, thanks to its durability, versatility and ease of maintenance, has been gaining popularity and making its way into all the decoration magazines in recent years: we are talking about imitation wood porcelain floors. What is porcelain wood-look flooring? As its name suggests, wood-look porcelain flooring refers to tiles that recre ate the appearance of natural wood and have been manufactured at high temperatures, using minerals such as quartz or feldspar and advanced firing techniques. The result is a material that is highly resistant to impact, totally impermeable and can be used for cladding and paving surfaces both indoors and outdoors. Although it is essentially a pressed ceramic floor, the nature of its manufacture means that it presents some differences with respect to it that will provide greater resistance and durability compared to traditional stoneware floors. To achieve finishes such as imitation wood, porcelain floors have one or more layers of enamel on top, which allows for a wide range of finishes and designs. However, we must keep in mind that as they are deliberately and mechanically designed elements, all the pieces will be a copy of each other, losing the unique essence of natural wood floors. What are the advantages of wood-look porcelain flooring? As we have been saying, the qualities of this type of flooring have made it an increasingly popular option. These are some of the reasons: · Durability and wear resistance. This is the main advantage of ceramic floors compared to other materials. Unlike natural wood, wood-look porcelain flooring is resistant not only to knocks but also to scratches and, above all, to wear and tear. Their manufacturing method provides them a high resistance to extreme temperatures, both cold and heat, as well as to abrasion, scratching or excess humidity. This makes them ideal for high traffic areas. · Easy maintenance and cleaning. This is another of the great advantages of this type of flooring. Unlike natural wood, they do not require polishing, waxing or special treatments. In addition, they can be easily cleaned with basic household cleaning products, as it is difficult to damage its surface. However, remember that oily or especially soapy products are not recommended as they can cre ate a slippery layer. · Moisture resistant. In this type of flooring, water absorption is practically nil, which means that they can be installed without any problem in rooms with a greater presence of humidity, such as the kitchen, the bathroom or terraces and gardens. · Ideal for radiant heating. This type of floor has a high thermal conductivity value, which allows excellent performance of the heat system that is not achieved with the combination of other types of materials. This, added to the rest of its excellent characteristics, makes it an ideal solution to accompany radiant heating. What are the disadvantages of wood-look porcelain flooring? We know that porcelain floors are resistant and easy to maintain, but despite their many advantages and benefits, it is important to bear in mind some drawbacks that are worth considering. · A more complex installation. The great strength of porcelain flooring, as well as its rigidity and weight, could become a problem when making cuts in the tiles or adapting their size to the corners of each room. · The feel to the touch. Although the finish of imitation porcelain floors may be reminiscent of wood, what they can never match is the natural warmth of treading on floors made of this material. If you are a lover of authenticity and what you are looking for is a floor that brings warmth to all your rooms, wood floors are the smartest option. · Price. Although at first glance their cost may seem lower than that of natural wood, the price of imitation porcelain floors is higher than that of traditional stoneware tiles, so you will be paying a high supplement for this aesthetic issue.In conclusion, the biggest disadvantage of porcelain wood-look floors will always be that they are not wood at all. They are an ideal choice for rooms where durability and easy maintenance are of particular interest. What is clear is that, although the finish is apparently similar, they can never offer the same warmth, versatility and evolution over time as natural wood floors.