The beauty of oil with the durability of polyurethane: next gen flooring

A curated collection of engineered timber with a world-first finish will land on our shores in January, and it’s set to change our expectations. We spoke to Forté about SilkMatte, a truly unique solution that pushes the boundaries of possibility.

Inspired by unforgettable Italian destinations evoking the feeling of a relaxing escape, Forté’s new Moda Collection takes its colour cues from the warm sunsets over the Amalfi Coast, the cobblestoned streets of Como and the colourful homes of Portofino, translating them into a vivid range of flooring hues.

But it’s not just the colour that sets this collection apart, it’s the technology encapsulated in the world-first finish. “Known as SilkMatte, the finish combines the raw and untouched feel of a natural oiled finish with the durability of polyurethane to create an incredibly durable, hard wearing finish with a soft feel and silky, natural appearance,” Forté’s Gaius Piesse says.

The SilkMatte finish was developed in Europe by the Forté team and is unique worldwide, available exclusively in New Zealand from Forté in the engineered timber range, Mod.

“Moda is a 16mm engineered timber collection crafted from FSC European Oak, set apart by the stylish range of Italian-inspired colours and the beautiful raw-look finish,” Gaius says. “The SilkMatte finish is made with UV cured polyurethane - something we used to associate with a shiny, gloss finish.

“That’s no longer the case with this product offering a completely new, contemporary take on what it means to have a polyurethane finish, the beauty of which lies in the ultimate durability of the coating.”

The Moda range requires little maintenance over time, just as traditional polyurethane floors do. In comparison to a natural oiled finish, which requires re-oiling and careful and regular maintenance over time, Silk Matte is a hassle-free, durable option with the same aesthetic and feel as natural oil. 

“While it is incredibly durable and hardwearing, if the floor is damaged or scratched in any way with normal wear and tear over the years, it can easily be rectified with what we call a wax pen. This pen can be used to touch up specific areas.”

The Moda range includes a vast array of colours and styles - from the more traditional planks through to herringbone, chevron and geometric layouts including rhombus and hexagonal patterns.

“Moda also includes wall and ceiling panels, acoustic panels, stair nosing and skirting boards. Skirting boards are often difficult to exactly match to flooring, which is why we’ve launched a complete system with pre-matched, pre-finished products,” Gaius says.

“We also provide a matching stain for every colour, allowing clients to match other elements of the home to their flooring such as kitchen cabinetry, staircases, wooden tables or architraves, to create effortlessly seamless and cohesive interiors.”

The Moda range is suitable for residential and light commercial applications, is made with sustainably sourced, FSC certified European Oak, and is crafted in Europe. The range is available for pre-order now, with the first stock due to land in New Zealand in January 2020.

Find out more about the Moda Collection and SilkMatte finish from Forté.