The floors of nature: Kährs

In turbulent times, people often turn to nature as a comforting reminder of Earth’s ability to regenerate and carry on supporting life in all its splendid variety. Nature soothes; it reassures and calms us with its familiar forms and patterns. This is why architects and designers incorporate natural features when attempting to create spaces that people will want to spend time in. As the great American architect Frank Lloyd Wright said: ‘Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.’

The new Impression collection from flooring specialist Kährs brings us closer to nature by faithfully replicating the surface patterns of wood and stone. As an expert in wooden flooring and one of the oldest flooring companies in the world, Kährs has been helping to bring nature indoors since it was founded in 1857. Impression continues this legacy, bringing it right up to date using the latest manufacturing and material technologies.

The flooring collection is targeted at the commercial sector, where high volumes of traffic mean that natural materials, although desirable, are often simply not durable enough. Kährs engineered its Luxury Vinyl Tiles to provide an authentic, natural look with the added benefits of enhanced wear resistance, sound absorption and easy installation. The tiles are also straightforward to maintain and are free from phthalates which helps to promote better indoor air quality.

Throughout its history, Kährs has consistently focused on creating high-quality flooring solutions using a combination of innovation and craftsmanship. It was the first company to invent a multilayered parquet in 1941, as well as introducing the glueless Woodloc® joining system in 1999. Rather than looking to improve on what nature has to offer, Kährs develops products that combine a natural appearance with functionalities that are required for contemporary interiors. The Impression collection, for example, features a tough rigid core and click-based installation system to enhance the floor’s stability. A ceramic surface protects against nicks and scratches, whilst the water-resistant material prevents damage from moisture and liquids.

Flooring is a key component of the material palette in retail and other commercial environments, as it provides the foundation for the rest of the space. For this reason, the Impression collection offers a range of naturally inspired finishes for architects and designers to choose from. The collection comprises eight wood designs and eight stone designs, each of which is embossed to create a more tactile and realistic appearance. The timber-based products are available as extra-long planks that emphasise their high-end aesthetic, while the large stone-effect tiles focus attention on the textural surfaces. A selection of light and dark shades ensures the right style of flooring can be specified as the basis for a cohesive interior scheme.

Kährs Luxury Tiles have been specified in a wide range of contexts, from offices, restaurants and hotels, to shops, private homes and hospitals. The Impression range is optimised for use in retail environments, where the different finishes can be applied in various ways to create a premium feel inside stores. The practical benefits including durability and the simple click-together installation are also ideally suited to these settings. Wherever and however they are used, the Impression Luxury Tiles combine the beauty of nature with practicality and versatility to create an impression that will last.

© Architonic