Preverco’s latest exotic species is quickly gaining favor in commercial settings.

In today’s hectic and competitive business climate, some people work such long hours their office has become their second home. Maybe that’s why one of the recent design trends is to make it actually feel more like home — at least when it comes to flooring.

The fact is, notes Jean-Sebastien Roy, director of marketing for Preverco, a high-end wood manufacturer based in Quebec, Canada, hardwood has become a favorite flooring choice for a growing number of architects and designers. There are several reasons for this movement, but one of the primary factors is hardwood’s warmth. “Its rich look and feel, particularly when accessorized by a tasteful area rug, brings residential comfort to the workplace without diminishing professional ambience.”

The preference of architects and designers to employ hardwood also signals a broader move toward hard surfaces in the office environment—a trend that has been evident not only in the commercial market but in residential areas as well.

“Rather than wall-to-wall carpet,” said Steve Kurtz of Salesmaster, a Long Island, N.Y., distributor, “we are seeing a significant shift toward using more hard surfaces. We have several people on staff whose sole responsibility is to call on designers and architects, and this is what they’re discovering. And because of its warmth and rich appeal, hardwood is overwhelmingly the hard surface of choice.

“This trend doesn’t manifest itself solely in the lobbies and public areas of office buildings,” he added. “It’s popping up in boardrooms, cafeterias, really any part of the office setting. Its use is even being seen in certain retail shopping locations. Ultimately, architects and designers are looking for it because their clients want it.”

Roy said the swing toward increased hardwood usage in the commercial sector gives rise to an important question: “What are the characteristics that make a hardwood product desirable? Pre-finishing is one aspect that should be seriously considered. To begin with, pre-finishing reduces installation time and costs since it removes the finishing step from the installation process. Also, the application of oil finish on wood floors is not allowed in many apartment buildings because it creates unpleasant fumes, which can not only be a nuisance to neighbors but harmful as well. So having it done at the factory opens up the opportunity to use it in settings that would otherwise be prohibitive.”

Last but not least, he added, “the natural feel and ‘authenticity’ of hardwoods cannot be overstated. No manmade material can duplicate hardwood’s character and pure, natural appearance.”

Few options

While hardwoods in the commercial realm are becoming increasingly sought after, product options have not kept pace. Historically, the choices have been residential products that are adapted for the contract area. There are a few products designed specifically for heavy-duty commercial areas, but they are quite expensive; in an office building of any substantial square footage, the cost is generally prohibitive.

So the needs of the commercial hardwood market have traditionally been addressed with a custom-designed product that is exorbitantly priced, or residential offerings suitable for a dwelling’s hallway but not the daily wear and tear of a business setting.

“We met with Preverco and explained what we were looking for,” Kurtz said, “and they understood immediately. We agreed that the need existed. When we were looking for this commercial grade product, we looked at various lines from a number of manufacturers. All of them tried to convince us to use an existing residential product. Preverco comprehended the need to investigate the options and do some research. It was a confluence of two parties who were basically looking in the same direction.”

The result of this teamwork was the development of a reasonably priced, engineered hardwood alternative for the commercial setting.

Preverco and Salesmaster understand what a designer or architect who is using hardwood in a commercial project would look for in a product, said Thomas McKay, principal at McKay Architecture/Design in New York, who works frequently with hardwood in upscale, commercial projects.

“An important consideration for most designers is the finish,” he explained. “Oil finishes tend to bring out the existing figure in the grain. With their low sheen, these finishes are superior at hiding scratches and make the floor look more uniform and natural.”

Extremely fashionable as well as functional, oil finishing is also perfect for locations with high levels of traffic, such as hotel lobbies or restaurant dining rooms, Roy added. “It is easy to maintain and restore, has a water-repellant surface, and is completely natural. The rustic appearance of floors finished with oil allows for numerous design options that provide warmth and softness to any area while becoming more attractive with age. What’s more, instead of the high shine associated with residential products, these feature a matte finish—far more suitable for the commercial environment.”

Wider the better

Board width is another aspect of hardwoods on which architects and designers place great value. “Wider boards are more desirable, because they signify trees that are older and more precious—and they are more valuable because fewer boards are produced when they are long and wide,” McKay said. “Consequently, to those who are knowledgeable about material, they are luxurious looking. Modern architects interested in contemporary design often study ways to provide richness through simplicity, and wider boards help accomplish that goal. Because there are fewer joints, these floors look simpler and cleaner.”

Another crucial consideration is the fact that hardwood flooring is considered a “green” product. More and more, architects and designers are concerned about using materials that are created, at least partially, from renewable sources. A few hardwood floor covering manufacturers are careful to associate with companies that support selective cutting and species regeneration. In addition, the wood residues they generate are recycled for other uses in various sectors.

“Many of our clients are asking important questions about what represents a better quality of life,” McKay said. “This includes concerns about the environment and the use of natural resources. With this being a major factor in design decisions, there are many reasons to consider using new products, such as engineered wood flooring. A great deal of wood is wasted when installing traditional hardwood in a commercial setting. Wear and tear means the top layer of the product is worn down to the tongue level of the tongue and groove system. The floor covering needs to be replaced at this point, even though two thirds of high-quality, expensive board remains.”

Kurtz said Salesmaster recently kicked off a program with Preverco’s new Commercial Series collection, offered in two, low sheen, matte finishes.

Both the pre-oiled and Super-Sigma finishes boast a variety of characteristics that make them ideal for commercial applications, Roy noted. “The pre-oiled product is perfect for areas of high traffic, with natural oils protecting and enhancing the floor’s durability. This option is easy to maintain as it is water repellant and effortlessly restored with the use of additional oil applications and sanding. The Super-Sigma finish, like the pre-oiled, is highly durable and very aesthetically pleasing. With the use of Preverco’s Ultrafresh treatment, Super-Sigma prevents the presence of bacteria and offers improved protection against mildew. The finish is ultra-violet resistant, which delays the onset of photochemical damage as well as yellowing.”

These new products, he added, work out quite favorably in terms of price versus other flooring materials. “Yet they are strong and durable enough to withstand commercial traffic, and feature all the wonderful wood characteristics that contemporary designers and architects are seeking nowadays.

“It’s doubtful that a person’s office will ever be quite as comfortable as their home,” Roy concluded, “but thanks to the growing use of hardwoods in the commercial environment, the warmth of home will at least be under their feet.”