Sisal: the hard fiber for robust floors

Sisal floors are tough. You can already feel that, once you walk on it barefoot: A little scratchy, this covering is a bit brittle, which has long been one of the classics among ecologically harmless floor coverings. But he doesn't need flattery at all. Its natural properties are already convincing. Sisal fibers are obtained from the leaves of an agave plant, those on nutrient-poor soils in Mexico, Brazil and Africa is cultivated. This agave species is very resilient, and it does not require any type of chemical crop protection, for it to thrive: Ecology from the start! Part of about 100 to 120 cm long leaves are harvested year after year and separated from the leaf flesh in defibering machines. After washing, the fibers are dried in the sun, brushes them out and then spins them into yarn. And from this, in turn, become twine, strong ropes and floor coverings produced. Because the sisal fiber is very supple and smooth, can be colored well. This happens, as well as weaving too 200, 250 and 300 cm wide lanes of 5 to 6 mm thickness, mainly in the countries of origin. In Germany, the floor is usually only refined, that is, provided with a coating on the back for better dimensional accuracy. Manufacturer, who take the ecological demands on their products seriously, use natural latex without chemical pollutants for the back coating.
Others work with synthetic latex, the accelerator, Solvents and fillers and phenol are added. This has led to some health problems. Before you decide on a floor covering made of sisal, ask the dealer for a full material declaration, the dye and the backing, so that you know, what you are at!
Sisal floor coverings are extremely hard-wearing, that is why they are often installed in showrooms and offices, more recently, however, also more and more in the private living area. The material insulates well against impact noise, is castor-resistant, has good antistatic and antibacterial properties and can also be used as a floor covering over underfloor heating. Only one weakness of sisal should not be concealed: This floor covering is very sensitive to moisture. Too much wet, even too much humidity, causes the fiber to shrink. The back coating with natural latex counteracts this a little, nevertheless, all sisal floor coverings must be firmly glued to the subsurface and the joints sewn if possible, so that there are no gaps and the edges do not have flashing edges. Anyone who chooses a water-based dispersion adhesive for gluing, remains true to the environmental idea (which also applies to the laying of all other floor coverings!).