By Louis Iannaco
With hardwood’s growth in recent years, many high-end products abound, each featuring different textures, colors, plank sizes and thicknesses. In this highly competitive category, mills are utilizing the latest in state-of-the-art technology and sourcing the finest woods from North America and around the world to achieve these premium looks.

The following is a sampling from some of the category’s major players and what they are currently offering in their battle to show who is the best-of- the-best.

Armstrong/Bruce

One of the mill’s newest high-end products is Regent, a line that combines many premium and specialty elements, noted Daniel Call, vice president of wood product management. The engineered floor is not only thick at 5/8-inches, but is wide (7 inches). “It comes in varying lengths, from 12 inches to 70 inches, and has pillowed edges and ends, subtle hand scrapes, and a French bleed edge, all of which tie in with trends in the market.” This collection of exotic Sapele hardwood is available exclusively to Robbins dealers.

Another high-end collection is the mill’s Valenza line. This collection of tropical exotics is available in 3/4-inch solid or 5/8-inch engineered structures. “The engineered line has a thick 4mm sawn veneer, which improves performance and allows consumers to sand and refinish if needed,” he said. “Both have our piano-smooth Permion finish, and the milling is also impeccable—it’s an installer’s dream to work with and a consumers dream to live on.”

In addition to exotics, explained Call, innovative products offering true differentiation also can be seen as high-end. “Premier Performance employs a proprietary process that infuses acrylic into the top veneer for increased hardness and through-color. It comes in six species and is available in 3-, 41/2- and 51/4-inch widths. It also has Permion coating, giving it our best residential and commercial warranties.”

Under the Bruce brand, he added, Liberty Plains is a premium ¾-inch solid wide-width in oak, maple and ash that stands apart in the high-end solid market. “It’s made of northern, 60% furniture-grade lumber with a high percentage of rift and quarter sawn boards for a very clear visual and superior performance in the presence of moisture.”

For more, call 877.276.7876.

Boa-Franc/Mirage

Sweet Memories is available in engineered maple 5-inch width, with a cashmere low luster finish in three colors (Toffee, Truffle and Earl Grey).

Luc Robitaille, vice president of marketing, noted the reasons why this is a perfect upgrade or high-end product. “Mirage’s unique variable staining process recreates an old fashioned look with a clean, smooth surface. The process makes products very rich by creating subtle nuances in the color. The wood used also has more character for a refined antique style.”

The engineered platform, he added, “allows for the best type of wood floor in the industry. The thick, dry sawn wear layer is the same as a ¾-inch solid product. Moreover, this type of floor is very stable and versatile and could be installed at all grades.”

People are looking for wood displaying more color variations in a wide-plank style, he explained. “Sweet Memories answers these trends. Since its launch in 2006, the sales numbers confirm the delicacy of the wood and the uniqueness of the process are what differentiate Sweet Memories from other antique-looking wood floors.”

For more, call 418.248.1785.

Mannington

The Inverness collection is by far Mannington’s best selling high-end product, noted Dan Natkin, director of hardwood business. “It’s a collection of gentle rustics, featuring the best that wood has to offer in maple, oak and walnut. Every plank is hand stained, glazed, distressed and sculpted, making each floor a work of art.”

Other high-end products include the Atlantis Prestige sawn-faced exotics line. Introduced at Surfaces, it’s quickly become a high- end favorite. “The collection features beautiful species such as Andean Pecan—with a thick, sawn face and lengths up to 7 feet for a more streamlined look in large spaces,” he said. “The sawn face makes it look exactly like solid wood with all the performance benefits of an engineered.”

For more, call 856.935.3000.

Mercier

Design Plus with Generations Finish is the main high-end offering, said Michel Collin, director of marketing. “We have 3/4-inch solids in seven domestic species. In engineered we offer a 1/2-inch, 7-ply, 4mm sawn face and up to 11 exotics.”

Generations Finish incorporates the best wear resistance in the industry, he noted. “This keeps the floor looking fantastic longer, and helps prevent the maturation process and aids in keeping the original patina. And, an antimicrobial additive helps prevent bacterial growth or spreading on the finish.”

In addition to Design Plus, Mercier offers the Heritage Collection, a 3/4 x 31/4-inch red oak, wired brush with the Generations Finish.”

For more, call 800.463.3385.