WORLD TRAVELER

Unique. Eclectic. Cultured. Exotic. Worldly. This exciting design style harkens to the traveling spirit in everyone. It celebrates the architectural structures and design details that are the best that Europe, Asia and the exotic islands have to offer. Floor finishes range from dark, stained surfaces to painted, glazed and sanded finishes that simulate years of use and living. The palette is rich and regal or perhaps light and reflective. It creates a perfect backdrop for a variety of treasured accessories amassed through years of traveling.

URBAN LIVING

Clean. Sophisticated. Contemporary. Simple. Open, uncluttered rooms are accented with ultra-modern accessories offering smooth lines and loads of drama. Spartan simplicity coupled with hi-tech living makes natural wood floors the tranquil, serene choice for urban style. Handcrafted floors complement this modern look. In addition, the sheen of maple and pecan are excellent choices in both natural and deeper stained versions.

CASUAL COMFORT

Relaxing. Uncomplicated. Charming. Simple. The Casual Comfort style captures the serenity of a country morning with hand-hewn floors of natural oak, hickory and maple. Experience the coziness of a mountain retreat with rustic, handcrafted, distressed floors. Warm and inviting or fresh and serene, this uncomplicated style is enhanced with furniture and accessories that are supremely comfortable, timeless, inviting and versatile.

QUALITY CRAFTED IN EVERY DETAIL

Raw materials, Armstrong starts by inspecting and grading every board to ensure each will meet their rigid quality standards. Only the best pass their inspection. Precise drying, a key step in preparing the wood, they dry the lumber in state-of-the-art kilns that are constantly monitored by highly trained technicians to ensure the boards meet the specifications required to produce superior quality flooring. Grading standards, once deemed ready for production, each board is meticulously graded and any unacceptable material is removed before milling. Precision milling, all planks are made straight, sanded to a consistent thickness, and machined to create a perfect tongue and groove fit. Adhering to the strictest standards during the milling process ensures reliable quality and consistency of all floor planks, from carton to carton. The planks install easily and fit together snugly for a finished floor that is stable, even and consistent. Advanced color management, Armstrong uses computerized color monitoring systems to assure the highest level of color monitoring systems to assure the highest level of color consistency from board to board and carton to carton, catching and correcting variations too subtle to be distinguished by the human eye. Superior finish systems, multi-layer ultraviolet cured aluminum oxide urethane coating systems are factory applied to provide exceptional stain resistance and 5 to 10 times more wear resistance than other finish systems. With their variety of proprietary finishes Armstrong creates a range of looks, from low-gloss to high-gloss, as well as hardwoods for light, moderate or heavy traffic areas. Their exclusive Permion finish is so durable, it even stands up to commercial use. The painstaking attention to detail that begins with the design process continues throughout every stage of manufacturing, from lumber selection to final finishing. Rigorous quality control, including more than 50 inspections throughout the entire manufacturing process, guarantees floors that install precisely and look beautiful for a lifetime.

A CLOSER LOOK AT PREMIER PERFORMANCE

Life may be full of compromises, but flooring doesn't have to be one of them. No one should have to sacrifice the elegance and lasting value of authentic hardwood just because they need a floor that can stand up to kids, pets, and an all-around active lifestyle. Armstrong was the first to take on the challenge of developing a harder hardwood floor. They began with genuine engineered hardwood in a wide selection of colors and species and infused it with liquid acrylic. This exclusive process creates a dramatically tougher floor. Even cherry - one of the softest hardwood species - becomes harder than oak. Add on their proprietary Permion wear layer; and a Premier Performance floor resists scratches, scrapes, dings and dents better than any traditional hardwood floor. So, whatever your style or your lifestyle, you can enjoy the beauty and value that only a genuine hardwood floor can bring to your home. No compromises necessary.

CLASSIC LOOKS ARE REINTERPRETED ALL THE TIME

Maintaining their timeless appeal with a twist that makes them perfect for today. Such is the inspiration behind Highgrove manor, a collection of hardwood floors by Armstrong that will inspire as much admiration decades from now as the day they're installed. The premium collection of 3/4" solid hardwood uses the highest grade American maple, oak, hickory and cherry. The 4" and 5" wide planks are sanded to smooth perfection, then completed with the finest stains and premium finishes in shades ranging from clear natural and rich chocolate, to new neutrals including whitewash and soft gray. The clean lines and immaculately smooth finish of highgrove Manor form the perfect backdrop for contemporary minimalist decor, but are just as beautiful in coastal designs and traditional homes.

ONCE UPON A TIME, PRACTICALLY EVERY FLOOR WAS A HARDWOOD FLOOR

Some of the most beautiful examples of craftsmanship remain in the country manor homes of Europe and the mansions of the Old South. It is these antique plank floors, sculpted by hand and worn to elegant smoothness by the footsteps of generations, that inspired the Armstrong Century Estate collection. Each Century Estate floor is a one-of-a-kind work of art. Armstrong has chosen the finest hickory, maple, oak and walnut - all classic species know for their timeless beauty and durability. Each 6" wide plank is hand-sculpted to create the details of centuries-old floors. Authentic details include soft, undulating carving and subtle pillowed edges. The planks are then hand-stained the old-fashioned way, providing a depth of color and luminous patina unmatched by any modern machine. The final result is a selection of 12 stunningly refined floors with timeless beauty and remarkable versatility. Century Estate provides the perfect foundation for traditional or old world design, as well as an ideal unifying element for bridging styles in a modern decor.