Wood sanding: view from the French manufacturer Chêne de l'Est

What is your company’s area of specialty?

JMB : Historically, we have been manufacturers of solid wood parquet, mainly oak. We have also bought a parquet maker in the Vosges that specializes in multilayer parquet. Our customers are just as likely to be wholesalers as they are decoration professionals and architects. France accounts for 60% of our turnover, the rest being exports.

How would you characterize your offer?

JMB : By its very great diversity of finishes. We are recognized for our ability to offer special and unusual finishes for all kinds of aesthetic requirements.

We are also experts in ageing. Imitating old flooring or parquets is an art that requires highly specialized technical skills.

The same applies to so-called «natural» parquets designed to look like untreated wood. These finishes involve a lot of work: it is therefore essential that the wood is perfectly prepared at the sanding stage.

And in terms of colours?

JMB : The palette is almost endless, ranging from the lightest to the warmest, from whitest loft-style to the deepest black, and taking in sand-grey and metallic grey, almond green, red and every possible shade of brown: mahogany, spice bread, walnut stain, cocoa, coffee…

And naturally, brushed-varnished, brushed-oiled, varnished or oiled versions are staples.