Article Number : 3046 |
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| Date | 3/4/2008 9:38:31 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=3046 |
| Abstract | By Sarah Zimmerman Among the array of new fashion-savvy resilient products offered at Surfaces, one of the interesting trends to stand out was recycled leather. Several manufacturers showcased the soft, eco-friendly flooring option stating an increased interest in North America... |
| Article | By Sarah Zimmerman Among the array of new fashion-savvy resilient products offered at Surfaces, one of the interesting trends to stand out was recycled leather. Several manufacturers showcased the soft, eco-friendly flooring option stating an increased interest in North America. “Leather tiles are a new flooring trend in North America,” said Christian Nadeau, CEO of EcoDomo, an importer and distributor specializing in green architectural details. The company launched its line of stitched recycled leather tiles at Surfaces and said the response was great. “The demand for leather tiles is no longer strange,” he said. “More consumers are interested in this product, and we plan to expand it—natural leather and mosaic offerings.” Available in nine colors and four textures, the Ultimate Collection is a green product that can be used on floors and walls and can be attributed to LEED points. Made from real leather scraps collected from furniture, shoe and other tanneries, the leather is mixed with water, natural rubber and Acacia wood bark to form a pulp substance, which is made into sheets. “This collection offers the look and feel of genuine leather at a fraction of the cost while giving end users peace of mind with regards to installation, maintenance and performance,” Nadeau said. “Leather floors are durable and long lasting; they will age gracefully, taking on the personality of their owners.” The company also addressed installation issues with the introduction of its EasyContact adhesive system, designed specifically for leather tile installation. Another company meeting the demands of leather flooring in the market—including installation— was Torlys. Torlys Leather, as the collection is called, was introduced at Surfaces, where input from attendees will be used to finalize the collection’s look and feel—to be in stores by August. “The response was absolutely outstanding,” said Karen Deel, brand manager. “There is no question it was the hit product in our booth, and I’d venture to say it helped Torlys become one of the most interesting booths of the show.” The product is made from 80% recycled leather and applied to Torlys Smart Core. Similar to all of the company’s new products, the line comes with a beneficial acoustic and insulating cork backing, which means the floor does not require a separate underlay when installed. Each floor is prefinished, produced with the Uniclic joint technology and is environmentally friendly. “Leather floors have been around for some time, but mostly in the commercial or high-end residential applications,” Deel noted. “And, as far as we know it has been a glue-down product, so Torlys developed a product that is easy to install at a price that is not out of reach of most people—no more than $9.99 per square foot.” Robus Leather was another packed booth at Surfaces expanding its green leather tile offerings from one to five lines with each answering a different need. Décor, originally launched at Surfaces ’07, is geared toward distributors and is available in 16 SKUs. The new Black Pearl collection, driven by the A&D community, provides unlimited options as each floor is completely customizable. The Americana line, aimed at the mass merchants, is available in 15 SKUs. The Traditional collection answered the calls of the large retailer that wants to keep product in stock. And finally, Corinthian supplies online dealers with 12 SKUs. Amy Boggs, vice president of middle markets, said response to the enhanced product offerings was astonishing. She added Robus’ expansion includes moving toward a locking system on all products as an alternative to glue-down as well as updated color and embossing options. “A lot of people are still interested in the glue-down method. It depends on where you want to spend your money—on a higher-priced Uniclic product or on a lower price point and professional installation.” |