Leather Flooring
From Floor Coverings
Contents |
What is leather flooring?
Is leather flooring renewable?
Leather tiles for flooring are a renewable and green resource, that some of us may not have considered before. They are a byproduct of a popular food (beef usually) and can last a hundred years or more. They acquire a wonderful patina with use, and take the dents and nicks and scratches of everyday wear in their stride. When this surface wear is acquired, it only serves to highlight the natural beauty of the leather. They work great in a library or den. Leather tile are usually 1/8” thick, 24” x 24” square, and are not rigid. Laid in a diagonal or regular pattern, they come in many colors and can be embossed to show texture.
Is leather flooring a green floor choice?
Before installation, any surface that you plan laying leather tiles on, should be absolutely clean, oil free and have no bumps whatsoever. If there are any, it will push the leather upwards and then the surface will be damaged. Besides putting leather tiles on the floor, you can also install them on your walls. The walls have to be plywood or concrete, though. lighter weight tiles can be installed over sheetrock. Waxing leather tiles enables them to become more stain resistant than non-waxing, whether on the wall or floor. Recycled leather floor tiles are made from leather and natural latex.
How long must my leather floor acclimate before installation?
Leather tiles have to acclimatize in the location where they will be laid, for about a week. They must then be installed within a month. They have to be cleaned with a damp mop, not wet, and no harsh chemicals. This is all done because as a natural product, leather tiles will react to some extremes of temperature and moisture. Taking care of them properly will ensure their beauty for a very long time. If you are unfamiliar with leather tiles, their variety and usefulness and just plain good looks may surprise you. Nothing reeks of traditional and rich beauty than a leather tiled wall or floor in a den or library. A lot of old or antique books are leather bound so this serves to highlight those collections. Natural products have a sort of uniqueness about them because Mother Nature may form the same animal or plant in numerous ways, with never two exactly alike, although they may look the same within a species.
How many different styles of leather floor are there?
Because there are a larger variety of these types of tiles available, now, it could be useful to compare the textures and colors, and whether they are new or recycled, and the costs for the various qualities and grades of leather, to see where some could fit into your budget and décor. Leather tiles are just one of the assortment of floor coverings available to the modern homeowner. With countries all over the world producing their own varieties of common household building and renovation items, it can only benefit the consumer.
