Leather floors are one of the most luxurious and decadent floors imaginable. Walk barefoot and the surface immediately adjusts to your body temperature. It feels warm in winter and cool in summer. Also, it never loses that wonderful, pleasant leather scent. Over time, increased wear creates the appearance of a rich patina, or the look that gives leather its unique character.
Leather tiles are available in a variety of earth colors, as well as custom tones, inlays, laser etched, and embossed. They are approximately 1/8″ thick and come in all sizes. Choose the standard 12″x12″, 24″x24″ or choose decorative borders, inserts, herringbone patterns or custom designs. Design options are limited only by his imagination.
In addition to flooring, leather makes a luxurious covering for wall paneling or even crown molding. Styles range from traditional and sophisticated to modern and contemporary.
Leather tiles work well in most areas of the home, adding a rich and welcoming feel to a dining room or living room. They create a warm, relaxing atmosphere in a living room or library, and they work well in media rooms because leather is excellent at controlling sound. The barefoot comfort of these floors makes them a popular choice for the bedroom. Installation in the kitchen or bathroom is not suggested, due to the high amount of moisture and harsh cleaners that the tiles would be subjected to.
Maintenance
When first installed, tiles require an initial coat of paste wax followed by two to three coats of bowling wax. It is very important to apply the paste wax first or you could get a white haze on the leather. The subsequent maintenance of the tiles is quite easy; consisting of regular dry mopping and intermittent wet mopping for general cleaning. Spills should be cleaned up immediately to prevent moisture buildup over a long period of time.
things to avoid
- Never wax leather wall tiles.
- Refrain from using abrasive cleaners, soap, furniture wax, varnish, solvent, ammonia products or wax containing a high concentration of Carnauba.
- Never place non-vented or rubber-backed rugs, rug pads, or rugs on top of leather.
- Exposure of tiles to direct sunlight for prolonged periods may cause discoloration or color variations.
Facility
Leather tiles can be glued to any wooden or concrete surface. Painted or treated floors must be sanded or ground prior to installation to ensure that the glue will adhere to the surface. Floors must be clean, level, with cracks filled and sanded. Only a grain of sand will surface under the tile, making it appear larger.
The glue should be a non-flammable, water-based adhesive that is applied to both the back of the tile and the floor. Once it has dried to the touch, it can be pressed into place. Leather tiles are prone to curling and shrinking, so it is imperative that the tiles are very tight.