India is emerging as a key global market for wooden flooring products. Increasing emphasis on quality and adherence to strict environmental guidelines, while at the same time sticking to the budget, are factors that are driving the trends in the wooden flooring industry. The trend of western-style houses with a wooden frame are leading to an increased preference for wooden flooring. High demand is coming from metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Pune, with north India expected to dominate demand for premium flooring products.
There are primarily two basic types of natural wood: Engineered & Solid. Engineered, where the base is made of birch plywood with a top layer of natural solid wood. Solid wood is natural wood; it constitutes a single piece of lumber material and can either be unfinished, lacquered or oiled, and made of red oak, white oak or maple. Engineered hardwood is the real wood floor covering and has a low vulnerability to expansion and shrinks with changes in temperatures and humidity.
Wood can also be used for wall cladding, ceilings and exteriors. Wood decking for outdoor use in balconies, terraces, poolside, clubhouse etc, is also in vogue. Decking and claddings provide enhanced features of reliability, dimensional accuracy, and abrasion resistance. Advancements in designing as well as printing technology are giving a realistic look to floors. Additionally, the wear layer of the laminated floor covering protects it from smudges and stains and resists fading from UV light exposure.
People are becoming aware of the advantages and the utility of wooden flooring. Concerns over the environmental impact is resulting in the development of eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes. Wood by nature has certain inherent qualities of its own, because of which it can be used in different climatic conditions. While in summer woods provides a cooling effect, in winters it can be used with under heaters, and it acts as a safety buffer against falls.
Changing lifestyles, increased spending on home enhancement, growing consumer demand for eco-friendly materials, and the perception of wooden flooring as a status symbol is driving demand
Nipun Purohit
HKS Flooring LLP is a Manufacturer, Trader, Distributor, Importer, and Service Provider for HKS 1835, Germany, in India. Our products include floorings of Oak, Hardwood, American Walnut, Plank Wood, Engineered/Laminate, Gazebos, Pergolas, Decking, Cladding, terra wood floors, etc, and we also undertake installation. The hallmark of HKS 1835 is customization in any shade, color, size, or pattern as per the requirement.
Our imports in India are worth approx.US$ 40mn a year. An additional 30-33 percent is charged for custom duty and other import formalities after the products reach our warehouse. In India, Mumbai is our biggest market where we have a 1,200 sqft studio at Fort Mumbai and a 10,000 sqft warehouse in Bhiwandi. Delhi, Pune, Lucknow and Ahmedabad are our other potential markets.
