Armstrong's Global Species

Lancaster, Pa.— Armstrong World Industries has entered the world of glueless hardwood flooring with a 32 SKU line featuring a patent-pending mechanical locking technology.

FCNews has learned the new line, Armstrong Locking Hardwood featuring the proprietary NextGen locking mechanism, will be offered under the Armstrong Hardwood Flooring By Hartco brand.

The offering will feature exotic and domestic species such as White Oak, Kona, Australian Wormy Chestnut, Ash, Bamboo, Bangkirai and Birch, in plank and strip formats and looks that include handcrafted, traditional and sleek.

Dan Quinlan, general manger of Armstrong Wood Products, said the NextGen locking technology is the result of three years of research and development and “offers a substantial reduction in the length of time required for installation.” In addition, Armstrong spent “a generous amount of research time” to identify the most appealing wood species and surface designs.

“Our goal is to develop not only better technology, but better looking floors,” he explained. “We’re taking visuals the American consumer wants and bringing them to market with a great locking system.”

Available in ether 3/8- or 1/2-in. thicknesses, each product comes with micro-beveled edges and square ends; extra smooth filled-face texture and either Armstrong’s HartGuard Deluxe Low-Gloss Finish with aluminum oxide on the 3/8-in. or Permion Finish with extra-hard crystalline minerals suspended in urethane on the 1/2-in. products. As for length, planks have been reduced from the traditional 7-ft. to 5-ft. for easier handling. “We listened to what installers wanted and took it down to easier-to-manage lengths,” Quinlan said.

He added, the handcrafted floors also have a soft, pillowed effect with delicate areas of chisel for a rustic yet refined design.”

The engineered construction allows the floor to be installed above, on or below grade and over a variety of subfloors.

Three collections make up the inaugural introduction —Hand-sculpted, Global Species and Oak. Hand-sculpted comes in 5-in. wide planks and a low-gloss finish, Global utilizes a plank or strip design, while Oak joins 2-1/2-in. wide beveled strips into a single plank and a deluxe mid-gloss finish.

For more information on the new Locking Hardwood collections, contact your Armstrong By Hartco rep, or call the company at 877/276-7876.