Life is messy, but that’s what makes it fun. Your home is a place where you can relax, play and live. It’s not where you have to worry about scratches, dings, and messes. You should be able to enjoy a glass of wine in the living room without worrying about your flooring if it spills. Homes are meant to be lived in, but liquids can be a real problem.

Whether you have kids or pets or you’re just a bit clumsy from time to time, it’s next to impossible to keep water off your floors. From spills to accidents to leaks, the damage can range from something that can be wiped up with a paper towel to a more stressful situation. But just because you’re worried about water, doesn’t mean you should sacrifice having the beauty and drama that wood flooring brings to your home.

With TORLYS Envique laminate flooring, you can have stunning floors that stand up to whatever life throws their way. There are three puzzle pieces that come together to create a waterproof flooring solution for your home:

1. Uniclic® Locking System: Make cleaning up spills easier and keep liquid out of your floor’s joints with this unique flooring system. Uniclic® is the tightest, strongest joint on the market.
2. GenuEdge™ Technology: Unsightly edges are a thing of the past, thanks to this technology. The colour of your floors rolls over the edge and into the bevel. GenuEdge™ also keeps water out of the joint and core, protecting your floors further.
3. HydroSeal: Keep water out of the core of your floor with this water-repellent edge coating.

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Basements are prone to moisture

There’s no avoiding it, basements are prone to excess moisture. They can be a very damp environment, making them vulnerable to water damage. This is why for years homeowners have opted for carpet in their basements. But that’s only because there was never a waterproof flooring option. With TORLYS Envique laminate, the process of making your basement flooring waterproof starts with manufacturing and continues through to the installation method.

Kitchens are spill central

Let’s face it, kitchens get messy. But you shouldn’t have to sacrifice a beautiful floor just because you’re worried about it getting ruined. With TORLYS Envique laminate flooring, your kitchen floor is safe from whatever may fall its way.

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Laundry can be a little more fun

Chances are your laundry room flooring isn’t something you take a lot of pride in. You might have your washer and dryer tucked away in the basement or hidden behind closed doors. But what if your laundry room could be as beautiful as the rest of your home? No matter what part of your house you wash, dry and fold in, TORLYS Envique laminate flooring can bring a touch of beauty to any space.

Bathrooms get wet… a lot

Have you ever thought about having the beauty and drama of wood flow from the rest of your home right into your bathroom? Perhaps not, but that’s likely because it’s never been an option. Bathrooms are synonymous with moisture. From humidity resistant paint to caulking to keep water where it’s supposed to be, bathrooms are designed to get wet. With TORLYS Envique laminate, your bathroom floor can have the look of wood, while still being completely waterproof. The full waterproof effect is due to the flexible and waterproof seal on the edges that prevents water from getting under the floor.

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They call it a mudroom for a reason

From rain to slush to snow, your mudroom or entryway has to be able to handle whatever mother nature throws at it. It’s also likely the first space your guest sees when they enter your home. But just because it’s home to messy shoes and boots and umbrellas, doesn’t mean it can’t look stunning. Now you can enjoy the look of wood throughout your entire home, including your entryway. And with TORLYS Envique laminate, you can cover up to 50’ x 50’ without transitions, even in doorways!

TORLYS Envique laminate floors in Woodland Oak

Not your average floor

Traditional laminate floors don’t handle moisture well. When the laminate gets wet the high-density fibers that make up the core absorb the water and cause the planks to swell. Unfortunately, this swelling doesn’t go away when the floor dries. When a laminate floor gets wet and swells, your only option is to replace it. Depending on the severity of the damage it may just be a simple plank replacement. But in other situations, the entire floor may need to be replaced.

TORLYS Envique laminate is changing the laminate landscape, giving you more flooring options than ever before for every room in your home. Each luxurious, ultra-realistic 12mm plank features authentic looks with a surface colour design that rolls over the edges.

Now you can have it all. No more choosing between form and function. Envique laminate marries the beauty of wood with waterproof flooring solutions, so you can enjoy the warmth and luxury of wood throughout each room in your home.

2018 is here and with it comes new home design trends, especially when it comes to colour. Whether you’re looking to revamp your entire home, spice up a single room or simply add a feature wall, this year’s trending colours are bold and exciting.

The top trends for 2018 will bring a shift from neutral colour palettes to deep, rich colours. We’ll see striking jewel tones and deep metallics that bring and sense of luxury and elegance to any room.

With 2017 done and gone, it seemed that everyone was a little extra excited for 2018. From technology to beauty to lifestyle, this year is sure to be filled with innovation and interior decor is no exception. Themes such as minimalism, self-care and even a little bit of a 70’s and 80’s revival will influence our homes and lives in the months to come.

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Heating up with Caliente

The Benjamin Moore colour of the year is strong, radiant and full of energy. Caliente isn’t for the faint of heart, but those bold enough to add this splash of colour to their home won’t be disappointed. You won’t be able to resist the bold strokes of this colour.

Many will find this rich crimson red intimidating but it will add spice (and a little heat) to any room. It can make a powerful first impression on a front door or add life to a book-lined library. While it might be too much for an entire room, a bright feature wall has the ability to completely transform a space.

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No shrinking Ultra Violet

Each year, designers from all backgrounds anxiously await the release of Pantone’s colour of the year, and 2018 definitely didn’t disappoint. A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.

Enigmatic purple is often associated with mindfulness practices, which offer a higher ground to those seeking refuge from today’s over-stimulated world making it an excellent choice for meditation spaces, or to create a relaxing spa-like atmosphere in the bathroom. Ultra Violet is nuanced and full of emotion making it the perfect colour for a room that inspires and invigorates.

The Executive Director of the Pantone Colour Institute, Leatrice Eiseman, sees Ultra Violet as lighting “the way to what is yet to come.” This includes “exploring new technologies and the greater galaxy, to artistic expression and spiritual reflection.”

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Dive in with Oceanside

A collision of rich blue with jewel-toned green, a colour that is both accessible and elusive, Sherwin Williams colour of the year is Oceanside. Blue is the most beloved colour worldwide and this multi-dimensional, marine-inspired colour proves why.

Oceanside creates a welcoming statement that is great for boosting creative thinking and clarity of thought in a home office. A complex, deep colour that offers a sense of the familiar with a hint of the unknown, Oceanside bridges together a harmonious balance of blues and greens that can be found in what’s old and new.

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Deep Onyx Proves Less is More

Glidden Paints isn’t holding back for 2018 crowning Deep Onyx as its colour of the year. Black is easier to use than you might think as it encourages a “less is more” approach to décor. Just like a little black dress, Deep Onyx has a place in every home.

Black is often overlooked as a neutral colour, but it works well on an accent wall or as an alternative to white paint on doors, trim and cabinets. And don’t even get us started on how easy it is to keep looking clean. Try Deep Onyx with basics like primary reds and blues, white, and earthy browns and greens.

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Put the Pedal to the Metal

Move over copper, it’s time for bronze to shine. For 2018, there’s nothing quite as striking and versatile as metallics. From wallpapers, fabrics, furniture and decorative details, gold, brass, silver, bronze, and rose gold are here to stay. They also happen to complement the bold colour tones above perfectly.

Use metallics sparingly as a compliment to objects with little to no sheen. Metallics are also great for mixing and matching. Choose a metal you love to be the most prominent in your space, then select one or two metal accents to complete the look.

TORLYS Largo laminate floors in Shaker Oak

Bold Colours Call for Neutral Floors

Your walls aren’t the only thing that these bold colour trends affect. While there really are no wrong colour combinations when it comes to wood floors and bold walls, there are textures and colours and complement one another best.

A saturated colour like a bold red such as Caliente or rich teal blue like Oceanside looks best when paired with natural wood tones. Because of this, we’re predicting the return of true blonde wood stains. Pair your new Caliente or Oceanside walls with our SuperSolid 7 Hardwood in Wildwood Oak or CorkWood Designer in Morningside Oak to bring this look to life.

Metallics really pop when combined with sophisticated grey stains. Coming later this year is EverWood Premier in Shelbourne, a new shade that will look perfect with metallic accents. They also look perfect with deep jewel tones on the wall and a floor like our Largo laminate in Shaker Oak!

If you’re brave enough to try Deep Onyx, lighter wood tones create a dramatic and sophisticated contrast. We think that TORLYS Elka 12mm laminate floors in Toasted Oak would look perfect with Deep Onyx on your walls.

One step at a time

Many (if not all) of these trending colours might seem intimidating, but as with most decorating trends, moderation is key. Try starting with a feature wall or accent pieces. We also suggest you try it before you buy it. Most paint suppliers have online apps that allow you to upload a photo of your room and apply a colour. This allows you to see the colour in your space before you even purchase it.

Would you like to see TORLYS floors in your home before purchasing? Use our flooring visualizer tool to get a sense of what your home will look like with new floors in it.

Find your nearest TORLYS dealer and talk to them your overall design vision. They’ll be able to help you pick the right flooring material and help ensure your floors, accents, and walls all work together.

Laminate flooring has come a long way since the 1970s. While it was always affordable—and still is today—its looks left a lot to be desired. However, design advances have transformed laminate into one of the most popular flooring choices on the market. Homeowners are now turning to the realistic good looks of laminate to create absolutely stunning spaces.

How Laminate Flooring Has Changed

Technological innovations in the past few years have made laminate flooring the next big trend in flooring. It has gone from “second choice” to “sought after” thanks to advances in design and functionality. The look of laminate flooring is more realistic than ever. In fact, it’ hard to tell the difference between high-quality laminate and solid hardwood just by looking at it. Plus, laminate not only mimics hardwood, it can also take on the look of stone tiles.

The realism of the design is not only limited to its looks. Laminate’s surface can range from simple to intricate. Brushed or handscraped textures are possible, as are glossy and matte finishes. Planks have evolved too. You can now select longer and wider planks. If you choose a more exotic looking floor with lots of detail, wider planks will highlight its unique features. For wood grains that are subtle, choose narrower boards.

Hardwood vs. Laminate

Looks are no longer a differentiating factor in the hardwood/laminate debate, but what about performance? In most areas, laminate outperforms hardwood. It’s more durable—withstanding heavy traffic and it’s also easier to clean and maintain.

It isn’t a surprise that laminate costs less than hardwood. You can stretch a laminate budget further than hardwood, meaning you can get more exotic looks and still be comfortable with the cost.

Versatility

Even if a plank gets damaged, it’s easily repaired, that is if it’s a TORLYS smart floor. Thanks to the TORLYS Bulldog™ Easy Plank Replacer, you can remove individual planks and replace them without any mess or fuss. That’s true of any TORLYS smart floor.

Cleaning up after a spill is relatively easy. The key to long-lasting floors is to clean up messes, especially liquid spills, immediately. Laminate floors can also build up static, but regular sweeping or vacuuming will prevent unnecessary shocks.

Design & Options

TORLYS has made breathtaking breakthroughs in laminate flooring. These industry-leading innovations range from design and application to installation. TORLYS is always ahead of trend when it comes to patterns and hues. This year’s star: Chevron. This nostalgic pattern is bold and makes an immediate impact in a space. When used correctly, it can even create a wavy and calm feeling. If you want to create a feature wall in your home, you can even install our chevron floors on the wall!

The installation of TORLYS flooring on walls requires the use of adhesive and nails. We recommend using baseboards and crown moulding to cover the floor and ceiling edges of the floor. To complete the look, you can use a wood trim painted in an accent colour to frame the sides. If you’re installing the wall/floor yourself, begin by lying the planks on the floor first.

Floor-to-wall application is not the only laminate innovation from TORLYS. You can now install TORLYS laminate transition-free *. That means no more transitions in doorways or long hallways! The flow from room-to-room is seamless, allowing for a cleaner, flawless design.

*  Transition-free installation does not apply to Lexington collection.

New Looks in Laminate

Great looks. Great price. Amazing new applications. When you choose a TORLYS laminate floor, there isn’t a look you can’t achieve with the budget you have. All our laminate collections feature on-trend designer styles and colours. With transition-free flooring, new installation techniques and longer, wider planks, TORLYS laminate is making its way into every home.

Are you ready to see TORLYS laminate flooring in person? Visit your local TORLYS dealer or order a flooring sample today. You can also use our new room visualizer to preview what TORLYS floors will look like in your home!

Whether it’s a home in the city or a cabin in the woods, one of today’s hot renovation trends is to maximize living space. Rather than endure moving, ambitious renovators are taking down walls, installing bigger windows and changing out old patio doors with double glass doors or sliders. The result is an open airy space with better traffic flow and lots of room for family and friends to gather.

However, with every renovation benefit comes a challenge or two to overcome. Depending on the finishing materials, oversize rooms can lose acoustic qualities. They also tend to become a little drafty. Even if energy efficient windows and doors are installed, an expanded great room with more windows will be cooler. To maintain comfort (and avoid cold feet), install surfaces that are textured, soft or have insulating qualities.

Cozy Up Your Fabric

Upholstery fabrics like chenille, velvet or cotton twill are soft to the touch and wonderfully comfortable.

Pillows, Throws and Scatter Mats

You can never have too many soft accessories in a family room. Toss cushions and throws encourage afternoon naps while scatter mats keep the chill of tile or hardwood floor at bay.

Ultimate in Beauty and Warmth – TORLYS CorkWood™

Until recently, the only hardwood options were real wood or a laminate version of wood. Both are great options in terms of style, but neither promote terrific acoustics or add warmth under foot. Cork, on the other hand, is a natural material known for its sound absorption qualities, resilience and heat retention.

Good news! TORLYS just introduced an amazing line of gorgeous cork flooring featuring hardwood-style planks! The collection is called CorkWood, and its floors combine the beauty of wood, the resilience of laminate and all the comfort and warmth of cork.

Want to install TORLYS CorkWood in your home? Visit your local TORLYS dealer today!

How to Use SuperSolid in Your Home

TORLYS SuperSolid floors are solid wood floors, constructed from three layers of the same species of wood in either oak or birch. We offer three different collections available in a variety of beautiful colours and sizes that create a warm, inviting impression. The 100% hardwood core provides stability and long-lasting performance, and the best-in-class Klumpp topcoat maintains the natural wood structure.

The benefit of constructed hardwood is its engineered core that resists any cupping and gapping, and reduces environmental impact. You get the warmth and beauty of real wood along with a reliable construction.

We’ve outlined several Interior design styles below and selected the SuperSolid floor that would pair perfectly.

Perfect Symmetry

Design symmetry occurs when, from right to left, the furniture, lighting and décor placement almost mirror each other. The result is a smart, handsome, elegant and inviting space, perfect for entertaining.

There is an important design feature, however, that will elevate symmetry from predictable to interesting—texture. Both visual texture (character, wood grains and lighting effects) and tactile texture (soft, plush fabrics and a lush area rug) can contribute greatly to the success of the design.

TORLYS SuperSolid 7 Harbour View Oak features a unique wood grain with mineral streaks, varying colours and natural-looking knots. This TORLYS floor’s varied appearance makes a statement.

Simply Sophisticated

It’s rare to find a space that boasts both sophisticated style and simple serenity. Rich, textured surfaces and fabrics blend effortlessly in shades of taupe and mocha. Sharp black accents can give the space structure and form. To emulate this style in your own home, select solid versus patterned fabrics, minimize decorative accents, and keep the furniture site line low. TORLYS SuperSolid 7 Ragged Rock Oak texture and character will set the stage for the rich neutral tones.

Sophisticated Shades of Gray

To create a master bedroom that is the ultimate in sophistication, consider going gray. Keep the tones very soft and warm to avoid the room becoming dark and drab. The lightest gray should be almost white. Next, select deeper shades of gray (varying in small degrees) to attain the perfect balance of warmth and luxury. Decorative accents in polished nickel, brushed platinum, crystal and sparkling white will add class and sparkle. TORLYS SuperSolid 7 Beach Grove Oak is the perfect hardwood floor for any room featuring shades of gray. The vintage character of the oak and its different shades of gray will create a soft, subtle space where you can relax and spoil yourself.

Modern Purity

Interior design trends are following in the footsteps of nature. Instead of manipulating natural materials into something totally different, designers are celebrating what Mother Nature delivers in its original form. Natural, matte finished stone, wood with natural grain patterns, and soft, imperfect organic shapes are key trends. This modern dining room features a surprising level of comfort and warmth through the character and charm of the materials. TORLYS SuperSolid 7 Sedgebrook Oak is a perfect example of a natural hardwood floor that highlights raw beauty in a soft neutral tone. The effect is rustic without being harsh. Mother Nature would be proud!

Industrial Strength

The look is rough, rugged and often described as brutal. Industrial interior décor employs basic raw materials and purposely exposes the inner workings of the building to make a one-of-a-kind statement. Rough concrete walls, iron pipes, factory task lighting and exposed duct work are eye-catching elements. To warm the look of the room, and give it a touch of style, textured hardwood flooring is perfect. TORLYS SuperSolid 7 Portland Oak has a rich brown, wire brushed finish that exposes the vintage quality of the oak.

Vintage Provence

You can create the warmth and charm of a vintage French country cottage by following a few simple rules.

• First, keep the walls creamy white. If you insist on colour, keep it very soft with just a hint of gray.
• Second, wrought iron details for the lighting, hardware and railings are a perfect touch—strong, yet delicate.
• Third, very few homes have exposed beams, but faux versions are easy to build and install. Keep the finish natural and distressed.
• Fourth, choose natural white oak for both flooring and décor. TORLYS SuperSolid 7 Wildwood Oak is perfect—the planks are wide and long and feature unique character and texture.
• Finally, complete the look with one or two distressed antiques (leave the peeling paint alone!), and you will have created your own one-of-a-kind Vintage Provence space.

Are you looking to incorporate TORLYS SuperSolid floors into your home? Visit a TORLYS dealer  for personalized advice on creating the perfect space for you.

If you live in a condo or an older home with the original floor plan, chances are your home is space challenged. If you’re lucky and have the time to renovate then space can be created with money and a good contractor. But if rooms can’t expand and the budget is tight, how can we create the feeling of additional space in the same-sized room? Here are a few creative tricks that may not change the square footage, but will open things up visually.

Less Means More

First step, get rid of the clutter! If you are a passionate viewer of HGTV and watch carefully most of the WOW at the end of the show is that all the “stuff” that was in the “before” space has magically disappeared. Donate to a charity, have a garage sale or take it to the dump, one way or the other de-clutter! All possessions should have a permanent home, a place where they belong and can disappear when you need to create space.

Focus Your Colour Story

This long, narrow room houses a living area, office and entertainment centre in no more than 120 square feet! The light, bright neutral palette goes a long way to creating the illusion of space. Light wood tones combined with layers of cream keep the space almost seamless. When there is less definition it gives the feeling of endless space. Furniture with built-in storage and cabinetry in the same colour as the wall will hide all functional clutter.

Don’t be Afraid of White

When selecting your colour focus, depending on your lifestyle, white can be a great option. White, when applied in layers from the wall colour to the upholstery, will free up the feel of your room. Select a natural wood floor with lots of grain character to soften the sterile nature of white. The result is soft, relaxing and never feels cramped. Busy households with children and pets may have to opt for a different strategy.

Go Wide and Long

In addition to a monochromatic colour story space will open up when you install larger flooring planks. In addition, you will achieve an elongated feel to the room if the planks are installed following the longest room dimension. Gone are the days when hardwood was typically available in 2 ¼” widths and 48” lengths. Today, engineered hardwood planks can be found in excess of 5” in width and lengths over 70”. In the image above, we’ve included two great samples from TORLYS.

Focus on Height and a Touch of Drama

A small room will expand when you draw the eye up and away from the width and length restriction of the room. Vertical tricks using tall accessories, floor-length mirrors, and dramatic ceiling fixtures go a long way to creating the feeling of space. Your eye will take in the entire room right to the ceiling, well above the furniture where there is all kinds of open air and less clutter.

From the lightest whites to the warmest caramels, TORLYS has a wide selection of light hardwood and laminate flooring that will open up any space and make your home feel brighter and lighter. While darker floors tend to be bold and dramatic, pale floors are contemporary, airy and artistic. Here are a few light-coloured flooring decorating tips to help you achieve the look and feel you want:

Pale Floors & Dramatic Walls

If you love the colour of your floor, consider painting your walls at least two shades darker or lighter. Doing this will make sure your walls don’t match your floors exactly but complement its colour instead. Did you know that the same paint colour will look different depending on the room? A room with a southern exposure will make a wall look brighter and lighter. A room with a northern exposure has walls that look darker and duller.

The great thing about light wooden floors is that you can use darker, dramatic paints for walls without causing the room to look small or enclosed. Don’t go too dark and keep your furniture light in colour. You can also create a seaside look with light blue paint and wooden furniture.

Wood This Work?

When selecting an accent colour for your pale floors, follow the feel of your floor. If your flooring has cool hues to it, select accents that are cooler. Blues, bright greens, purples and gray-greens are all considered cold colors. You can also bring in white furniture with blue undertones to create a very cool feeling and looking area.

Pale floors with warmer hues work well with warm colours such as soft white. These colours include golds, yellows, oranges, and reds. You can also make green a warmer colour by adding yellow to it. If you don’t match the feel of your floor and your accent colours, your light hardwood could actually make your walls look dull. To find out the true hue of your floor, put a clean white sheet of paper on it. Pure white will make the undertones of your floor pop.

Wood on Wood

If your existing accents and furniture are a different hue or grain of wood than the light hardwood floor you want, never fear, you can make it work. Wood with different finishes can go together, you should just follow these general guidelines.

Before you select your new hardwood floor, look at the wood in your home. What species is it? You should pick a floor that is in the same wood family to create a cohesive look. Light wood has a more modern feel than darker wood such as cherry. Keep the mood of the wood consistent and your room will come together.

When it comes to matching grain, here’s the rule: do or don’t! You should either include multiple grains of wood in your space or stick to one. Avoid having one area of the room with different grains of wood and the rest of the area featuring only one.

If you are combining wood finishes and grains, bring them together with one bold, distinctive accent colour. Splash this hue on walls and include it in accent pieces around the room to bring the space together!

If you’d like to bring pale floors into your home, visit your local TORLYS dealer to see what we have to offer. You can also browse our collections online and order samples to test TORLYS floors in your home.