Housing in Southern Africa July 2015

Leader in modular flooring targets SA Interface, a worldwide leader in the production and design of modular flooring products, aims to target South Africa as a springboard for an intensified marketing drive into sub-Saharan Africa, says Interface Director, Julien Fanton. Doors, Windows, Floors & Walls

L et’s be honest; when the bitter cold of winter bites, the last thing on our minds is style. Once in the privacy and comfort of our homes, we haul out bulky heat- ers, mismatched blankets and throws with little care for the beautiful décor we have so carefully crafted. How- ever, home décor doesn’t need to be martyred for comfort and warmth. Interior designer and Marketing Di- rector of American Shutters, Karina Palmer, advises that bymaking some clever design choices focused on the areas of your home that are respon- sible for most of its heat loss, namely F anton, based at the Interface factory in Scherpenzeel in the Netherlands, spearheads In- terface’s operations in Africa, the Middle East, Russia and the CIS, as well as Northern, Central and Eastern Europe. During a visit to South Africa, at the Johannesburg offices of Kevin Bates Albert Carpets (KBAC) - the sole Southern African distributor of Inter- face carpet tiles - Fanton said that the company regarded the South African market as by far the most important in Africa. “Interface sees tremendous

the doors and windows, a winter- friendly home can be designed that looks as hot as it feels! Palmer says, “Before discussing the solutions to reduce this heat loss, here’s the science: heat is lost through glass windows and doors via thermal radiation, heat conduction, convection and air leakage. Uninsu- lated clear glass windows or doors absorb the warmth inside your home and then re-radiate it to the exterior or allow it to pass through from the indoors to the outdoors.” She continues, “Openings owing to damaged or poorly fittedwindows growth potential for our modular flooring products in sub-Saharan Africa as increased investment from overseas countries, such as China, speeds up market development for many sectors of African industry, in- cluding the flooring sector. KBAC has already started supplying Interface carpet tiles to African countries north of the equator, such as Ghana, andwe believe that the KBAC Group will play a vital role in Interface’s penetration of the sub-Saharan African market in future,” he stated. For further information go to www.kbacflooring.co.za ■

Shutter in the warmth

and doors allowwarmair to be lost to the exterior as a result of air leakage. Wooden shutters are great thermal insulators as they provide a barrier between the outside cold and indoor warmth.” Considered permanent fixtures, shutters add value to your home and have great design-appeal. For style, Palmer adds, “There is simply no other window treat- ment that matches the beauty of wooden shutters, whether finished in neutrals or colours. The wooden shutters complement most interior style from classic to contemporary or traditional.” When open, the winter sun is able to shine through uninterrupted to warm the interior, and when closed, the shutters trap the warmth from the day inside and prevent it from escaping through the glass windows and doors. American Shutters’ most popular and eco-friendly Decowood range is manufactured from advanced wood composite or solid timber: Nor- mandy, White Teak and Selectwood ranges. “The shutters offer versatility, privacy, light and ventilation control, and insulation to any room in the home,” concludes Palmer. ■

July 2015