STYLE & DESIGN
VINYL LEADS THE WAY What’s next for the fastest growing flooring material By Clare Tattersall
V
inyl has become increasingly popular in recent years as a cost-effective alternative to traditional wood and stone flooring. It is water-resistant, low maintenance, offers a more ‘padded’ feeling underfoot and can survive plenty of wear and tear to provide long-lasting durability. What’s more, vinyl is easy to install and can be laid on any formation. Combined with advancements in technology that have allowed vinyl flooring manufacturers to imitate wood and tile with impressive accuracy, and offer a greater variety of shapes, sizes and designs, it is no wonder this material has become a superstar in both the residential and commercial sectors. So, with no signs of vinyl flooring waning in consumer demand, let’s dive into some of the biggest trends of this year. WOOD, STONE-LOOK FLOORS
Photo courtesy Karndean Designflooring
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\\ Spring 2022
The consensus among experts is that woodlook vinyl flooring is here to stay. Tarkett’s product development director Leigh Wright says wood designs are driven by the need to bring the outdoors inside to further connect people with the natural environment. “A current design trend is creating connections through nature and biophilic design,” she says. “This can be seen in organic shapes, colour, natural texture and warm tones. Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) wood designs follow this trend and are natural, warm and somewhat imperfect without being too distressed.” Sean O’Callaghan, product marketing manager for Karndean Designflooring in Canada, says natural, warmer wood tones — honey blonds and greys with brown undertones — will maintain their market rule in 2022. Oak tree species are a growing favourite, as their grain detail is versatile and can work in all spaces with any aesthetic — modern, rustic, Scandinavian and beyond. Marcus Stone, vice-president of sales and marketing at Melmart Distributors Inc.,
