Overview Introducing the world s first dual-labelled FSC /Fairtrade certified floors, these beautiful new hardwood floors from Kährs are possibly the most environmentally conscious and socially responsible hardwood floors available today in the world. They exude a warm, calm ambience and are suitable for any natural living and working space. These floors embody our Beauty with a Conscience philosophy at Kährs. Sourced from the first FSC /Fairtrade certified responsible forestry project in Chile s Curacautin Valley, the collection not only supports the restoration of biodiversity in the local forests but provides fair and sustainable income to the native indigenous Mapuche and descendants of pioneer families.
The Curacautín Story Read more about this project Read more about the Mapuche Kährs In the early 1900 s a sawmill was constructed in Curacautin, Chile creating wealth and prosperity in the area. One thousand employees and their families were dependent upon the sawmill for their income at one time. In the early 1980 s the mill closed when all of the large, local trees had been cut down and no trees were replanted. This deforestation led to poverty, negative landscape impacts and water flow alterations, destroying wildlife habitats. Today the area is becoming one of the first in Chile to re-establish its native forests and the government has established new forestry regulations and rights for the indigenous Mapuche. A new, efficient sawmill from Logosol has been built by SSC Forestry and the local forest cooperative is being provided with forest education, safety, business and technical training. Two of the most respected environmental nongovernmental organizations (NGO s), Forest Stewardship Council and Fairtrade (FLO Cert) together have written a dual-certification standard which requires a fair price, social responsibility and responsible forestry management. Today experts believe that most forests have more value and opportunity for long-term sustainability by being working forests rather than other non-sustainable alternatives such as cattle grazing, burning trees for heat and energy, or other intensive, destructive agricultural uses. It is our hope and belief at Kährs that the success of this project, in cooperation with other forward-thinking producers, NGO s and governments will lead to the creation of numerous other FSC /Fairtrade projects globally. This dual-certification timber standard brings with it hope and the long-term promise of alleviating poverty, restoring forest biodiversity and bringing sustainable, environmentally responsible development to many of the 800 million people reliant upon the forest today.
The Floors These new FSC /Fairtrade certified hardwood floors are crafted from a combination of Rauli and Roble wood. These two majestic species are native to the Chilean temperate forest and we are very proud to add these beautiful new floors to our World Collection for 2012. Tierra (152N1BRRFEKW 0) is a rich, dark brown tinted oiled floor with many colour variations that bring the floor to life. Roja (152N1BRRFBKW 0) has a warm red tone with colour variations and a subtle, even grain. Piedra (152N1BRRFGKW 0) has a grey finish and variation that brings an edgy, modern look to the range. Cautin (152N15RRF0KW 0) with its warm natural hues, has the strongest colour variation of all and has a smooth surface.
CAUTIN ROJA TIERRA PIEDRA
Roble and Raulí Trees Roble, Nothofagus obliqua, also known as (Chilean) Oak, Hualles, Pellín and Coýan by the Mapuche is a beautiful, deciduous hardwood tree from Chile. Known for its durability it is prized for use in furniture and construction. Although Roble means oak in Spanish, it is more properly classified as a southern Beech. It is one of the forest species of greatest distribution and abundance in the south of Chile, it often occurs in mixed species stands with Raulí and Coigue. The wood is resistant and durable and offers beautiful reddish tints and hues and that accepts color tinting very well. Raulí, Nothofagus alpina, grows in the same environment as Roble, with low temperatures and strong winds. The stable wood is highly prized with its fine grain and beautiful pale pink colour and is widely used in all types of construction. Nothofagus alpina means of the mountain. Raulí, is the Mapuche name of the tree and it is a species that is endemic to the sub-antarctic forests of southern Chile, specifically in the mountains at altitudes between 300 and 1,200 meters above sea level. This evergreen beech is one of the most popular and valuable native timbers from Chile. The wood is of high quality, strength and stability, it is fine-grained and is mainly used in furniture, floors and large beams.
Floorscore Certified
Technical Specifications Kährs floors are brilliant examples of modern ideas, reflecting old wisdom. With more than 150 years in the business, we are one of the leading and oldest producers of wood floors in Europe. We are also one of the most innovative, with a history of groundbreaking wood flooring technologies. Our floors are made with a true passion for wood and designed with both functionality and beauty in mind. Since 1857 Kährs has been producing beautiful, sustainable wood products from the middle of a town, in the middle of the forest, in the heart of the Swedish design region in Smaland. Nybro, Sweden. For more information please visit us at www.kahrs.com Construction Engineered 3-layer parquet Thickness 15 mm Width 200 mm Length 2,42 m Joint system Woodloc 5S Surface treatment Tinted Oil, Natural Oil Surface refinement Brushed, Cautin is Smooth Warranty 30 years Kilo/package 24 kg Boards/package 6 pcs m 2 /package 2,91 m 2 Hardness 2,6 (similar to birch) Certifications Floorscore, FSC /Fairtrade