Reclaimed flooring is the process of using materials that have been re-purposed to be used again. This is a timeless design process that has been used for decades now and is now more popular than ever.
Edward Howey from Lubelska – a reclaimed flooring supplier – goes through 5 reasons why you should use reclaimed flooring in your renovation or design projects.
1. It provides timeless design
One of the great aspects of using reclaimed flooring – whether that’s wood, brick, terracotta or stone. You are getting a material that has amazing character and is usually rich in history. Each detail of the material has a story and when laid looks fantastic in most settings. Restoring an old building back to its original feel would only look odd if you used brand new engineered products; reclaimed flooring provides that natural feel that the floor has always been there.
These days it’s also very ‘in vogue’ to match old with new. We have seen many brick and terracotta floors laid in beautifully modern settings that give the space character and warmth.
2. Lasts a lifetime
Materials such as brick, terracotta or stone last a lifetime. Often the materials come from abandoned or derelict buildings where demolition is the only option. The buildings have long since been unoccupied, but the materials remain as strong as ever. They are usually re-purposed to suit flooring. But once laid and sealed correctly, they last a lifetime.
Once you have laid your reclaimed floor, you can be sure that it will last any wear and tear that you put on it. For these reasons, they are perfect for areas with heavy foot traffic like cloakrooms or commercial spaces.
3. Eco-friendly
Reclaimed flooring is incredibly eco-friendly. We live in times of great uncertainty when it comes to our planet. But one thing is for sure producing more is having a greater impact on our environment and society. Re-using perfectly good products has a positive impact on our environment. If you are someone who is socially conscious, I would recommend researching reclaimed materials.
At Lubelska – The process for creating our brick floor tile is quite simple. The bricks are taken from predominantly old farm buildings. They are jet washed and we slice the brick from either both edges or face depending on the brick. What remains is then mellowed and the edges are dulled through a vibrating machine or cleaned with wire brushes.
4. Design flexibility
There is an almost limitless amount of way you can lay the floor. Reclaimed brick or terracotta can be laid in a number of different ways including:
- Herringbone pattern
- Stretcher bond
- Basketweave
- And so much more…
You can also pair brick with wood for a diamond inlay effect. Brick can also be washed with lime or even painted. The options are almost endless.
5. It’s Unique!
Because these floors have been made when modern manufacturing techniques were not available you can be sure you are getting a unique floor that is totally bespoke to you. Brick and terracotta were often hand-made, dried in the sun and heated up in a kiln that did not produce an even temperature and so each tile or panel is unique in its own way.
If you buy reclaimed flooring, you can be sure that it is unique to you. Each tile or panel slightly differs in shape, dimension and colour. Not only is this unique but this un-uniform look can provide character to your design project.
Conclusion
Ultimately reclaimed flooring has to work for you. There are a few downsides including the laying process. These are not modern engineered products and require some special treatment and care.
However, if you are after a unique floor which adds character to any space than reclaimed wood, brick, terracotta or stone can really provide this.