FINfloor anniversary · 1996–2026
Thirty years underfoot
FINfloor’s 30th anniversary marks three decades in South African flooring. We started in Durban in 1996, when laminate was still new to many local homeowners. Today we supply laminate, luxury vinyl, SPC and engineered hardwood through a national dealer network.
In conversation with Asset Magazine, Managing Director Sasha Kozinsky reflects on how flooring has changed and what we’ve learnt about choosing a floor for South African spaces.
01 / Where we started
From Durban to a national dealer network
When FINfloor began importing laminate flooring, carpet, tiles and traditional timber were familiar choices. Introducing laminate meant helping retailers and installers understand where it would work and how to fit it.
We developed the Inovar network and expanded into Johannesburg and Cape Town. Today we support flooring retailers and installers with stock, samples, training and technical guidance. Read more about FINfloor.
02 / Design and materials
Warmer colours and more natural finishes
Natural oak remains a favourite, and Sasha is seeing renewed interest in warmer browns such as mocha and coffee. Matt finishes, deeper textures and less obvious pattern repeats give modern laminate more of the variation people look for in timber.
Long planks draw the eye through a room, while herringbone laminate adds rhythm through the angles of its layout. For kitchens or other spaces exposed to spills, compare the specific range’s water-resistance rating and installation requirements before deciding.
03 / Vinyl and SPC
What works for the way we live
Luxury vinyl flooring is available in glue-down and rigid-core click formats. Glue-down planks bond directly to a properly prepared subfloor. A rigid-core SPC floor uses a click system and floats over a suitable base.
Choose the floor for the room and the installation method. For a commercial project, check the product’s use rating and wear layer against expected traffic. The installer should assess subfloor flatness and moisture, then follow the range’s fitting instructions.
04 / Engineered hardwood
Why real timber still has a place
Engineered hardwood flooring uses a real timber surface over a layered core. The timber gains character over time, while the core is designed to improve dimensional stability.
Compare finishes, board sizes and the manufacturer’s installation requirements. Depending on the range and site conditions, boards may be floated or fully bonded to the subfloor.
05 / Looking ahead
Making it easier to choose the right floor
Use the flooring visualiser to compare finishes in your own room, then find a FINfloor dealer to see samples in person. If you’re pricing a vinyl project, the vinyl flooring calculator can help estimate the number of boxes you’ll need.
As FINfloor marks 30 years, we thank our team, dealers, installers and specifiers. Their experience continues to shape the products we carry and the support we offer.
FINfloor anniversary · 1996–2026
Thirty years underfoot
FINfloor started in Durban in 1996, when laminate was still a novelty in South Africa. Thirty years later, Managing Director Sasha Kozinsky reflects on how flooring has changed and what we’ve learnt about choosing a floor for the way South Africans live.
01 / Where we started
From Durban to a national dealer network
When FINfloor began importing laminate, carpet, tiles and traditional timber were familiar choices. Introducing laminate meant helping customers understand where it would work and how to install it. That experience shaped how we grew.
We developed the Inovar network and expanded into Johannesburg and Cape Town. Today we support flooring retailers and installers with stock, samples, training and technical guidance.
02 / Design and materials
Warmer colours and more natural finishes
Natural oak remains a favourite, and Sasha is seeing renewed interest in warmer browns such as mocha and coffee. Matt finishes, deeper textures and less obvious pattern repeats give modern laminate more of the variation people look for in timber. Long planks and herringbone offer different ways to bring that character into a room.
Better cores and locking systems have improved water resistance in some laminate ranges. Check the individual product specification when choosing flooring for a kitchen or another area exposed to spills.
03 / Vinyl and SPC
What works for the way we live
Open-plan homes, doors that stay open while we entertain and swings in temperature all influence how a floor performs. Glue-down luxury vinyl can give larger spaces a quiet, continuous finish when the subfloor is properly prepared. Rigid-core SPC with a click system can be practical for renovations where installation time matters.
For commercial projects, foot traffic, acoustics, subfloor condition and the flooring’s wear rating all matter. Installers should check moisture levels and follow the product’s requirements for preparation and expansion.
04 / Engineered hardwood
Why real timber still has a place
Engineered hardwood has a real timber surface that develops character over time. Its layered construction improves stability and concentrates premium hardwood in the visible surface. Depending on the product and the site, engineered boards can be floated or fully bonded to the subfloor.
05 / Looking ahead
Making it easier to choose the right floor
Room visualisation helps customers see how a finish could look in their own space. Live stock information makes it easier to check availability by branch, and BIM resources give specifiers access to technical details earlier in the design process.
As FINfloor marks 30 years, we thank our team, dealers, installers and specifiers. Their experience continues to shape the products we carry and the support we offer.