Wood flooring has been used for hundreds of years all over the world and has evolved greatly to become the beautiful and elegant floor covering that it is today. Why, even the last 10 years have been revolutionary, with exotics pushing traditional domestic species out of the way and manufacturers developing more durable and stable versions of this traditional beauty. It is safe to say that hardwood flooring is currently at the peak of its popularity and there are no signs of a slowdown.
Shirley Pai Hilton is president and CEO of Hawaii’s largest wood flooring wholesaler, Pacific Imports International, manufacturer of the very popular Kahala Floors and
Bayside Flooring brands found locally. She is one of the foremost experts on wood flooring in Hawaii and she is very happy to share indepth information on the various types of wood flooring, decorating with wood flooring and the proper installation of the products with customers. Her expertise is often tapped for local home improvement publications and she also has consulted on many large flooring projects. In fact, one of her customers recently referred to her as the “Maven of Mahogany,” a description she especially appreciates because of her desire to share her knowledge with others.
Hilton says that wood flooring is a very popular choice for several good reasons, including overall aesthetics. “Wood flooring just looks fantastic”, said Hilton. “It can add warmth, drama, character, richness you name it. It’s like being all made up and using the right color of lipstick as the finishing pop!”
And with all of the colors and grains available, there is a look to match any décor.
Wood floors have also gained a large following among homeowners who want to dump the dusty old carpets, with their dust mites and other allergens, and switch over to a surface that can be wiped clean. Additionally, carpet usually needs to be changed out after about 10 years, but the right wood floor will last a lifetime.
And that brings to our attention another reason customers choose wood: It’s a one-time investment in a lifetime product, but something that adds permanent value to real estate while being used every day.
These days, Hilton says that engineered wood floors are where it’s at, and company sales run 5-to-1 in favor of Kahala Floors’ engineered woods (versus solids). Offering a refinishable layer of the “real wood,” which has been installed onto a plywood base, engineered floors are not meant to be stingy on wood. Rather, their unique construction offers longevity that nearly equals that of a 3/4-inch solid wood floor, with the main advantages being dimensional stability and lower installation costs.
Hilton says that her desire to share reliable information on wood flooring has inspired her to organize a monthly workshop at the company showroom titled, “Wood and Stone Flooring 101,” where a wealth of information is presented in a pleasant and organized manner. Past participants always say how much they appreciated the terrific product information and straight talk about their options.
Because of popular demand, sessions are scheduled for two upcoming Saturdays Sept. 10 and 24. Call 847-7711 to reserve your seat today.
Address: 926 Kohou St.
Contact: 847-7711
See more articles from: Pacific Imports International