The installation of hardwood flooring can provide a number of benefits for hotels. This long-lasting surface can be refinished instead of replaced, and presents a calming, soothing aesthetic, according to Nydree Flooring, a manufacturer of engineered wood flooring, headquartered in Forest, VA.
Bringing a natural product into an interior space requires thoughtful consideration, and Nydree Flooring has some advice for hoteliers. From integrating bold patterns and experimenting with new colors to combining different wood species, Jason Brubaker, the company’s VP of sales & marketing, offered these five tips on how hotels can incorporate hardwood flooring in an innovative way:
1. Formulate a pattern: Instead of installing wood flooring in a traditional, random-length plank format, hotels can use a combination of patterns such as fixed length, herringbone, basket weave and parquet. Using wood flooring as an insert in the middle of carpet—or vice versa—can break up the space and add interest to an open floor plan.
2. Install on walls and ceilings: The natural grain and variation of hardwood flooring can add warmth and character to any interior space. Installing hardwood on walls and ceilings further complements the space.
Nydree Flooring recommends wrapping wood around floors, walls and ceilings in a striped pattern. Hardwood can also be used as an accent behind a reception desk or below a serving counter, with a company logo installed over the wood. Typically, a plywood wall substrate is required to staple wood flooring planks for maximum hold.
“The use of hardwood on walls and ceilings is increasing because of the random-plank look that replaces the often-used, wood-wall veneer,” said Brubaker. “In many instances, it’s more cost effective to use plank-style wood flooring from both a material and installation perspective. Chevron and herringbone patterns seen in home decor and fashion trends are carrying over to walls and ceilings.”
3. Install directly on concrete: Most commercial interiors have a concrete subfloor and, with today’s adhesive technology, engineered wood flooring can be glued directly to a concrete subfloor. Thick plywood substrate is no longer a common choice. Direct glue-down wood flooring is usually 1/2- to 3/8-in. thick and transitions to commercial carpets and tiles.
“Hoteliers avoid the large, upfront cost of construction on a subfloor sleeper system. Plywood and extra materials are simply not needed with today’s technologically advanced adhesives with a high-quality engineered hardwood floor,” said Brubaker.
Wide-plank, solid wood flooring can still benefit from a sleeper system but, for 90% of hardwood installations in a commercial environment, the planks can be directly glued to concrete, according to Brubaker. This also allows a seamless transition to other surfaces—like commercial carpet, tile or stone—without a large height difference transitioning to hardwood.
4. Use color: Today’s wood flooring manufacturers offer a multitude of looks. Bleached tones, oil finishes, special texturing, bright colors and various gloss levels are possible. Naturals, grays and whitewashed woods are becoming increasingly popular. This trend is a shift away from mahogany and red-toned exotic woods.
“Now, the move to natural, weathered and textured woods is very popular in hotels at all price points,” said Brubaker. “Our product has been installed in the high-end Shangri La Hotel in London and into Courtyard by Marriott hotels across the country. Properties across the spectrum are moving toward natural tones and textures.”
5. Mix species: In order to add visual interest and break up a monolithic appearance in a large foyer or lobby, mixing species of wood can produce a variety of styles, such as walnut and maple for a teak-and-holly look. “We’ve worked on projects desiring a teak-and-holly effect, in which a dark color such as oak in wide plank is alternated with a light, natural maple accent strip—mirroring a ship deck,” said Brubaker. HB