FAQs

How durable are leather tiles?

The answer may surprise you.  Although the concept of using leather as a floor covering may seem relatively new, leather flooring has been around dozens of years.  History has shown that leather can last up to 20 years even in high traffic commercial installations.  As Pelle Arte leather tiles are substantially harder than leather floors of the past, you can expect them to last and maintain their beauty even longer.

Can I use them in my kitchen?

Although we do not recommend them for kitchen floors, they can be used for back splashes and on accent walls depending on how "enthusiastic" the chef in the family is.  If they are likely to get wet often or need frequent cleaning, then you should consider a different material.  Another popular application within the kitchen is to inlay cabinet doors with leather tiles.

Are leather floors pet-friendly?

The answer depends on the size of the pet and whether the animals claws are kept trimmed.  The tiles themselves are very hard and in most cases, will not be affected by animal claws.  The protective surface coating applied to the tiles is also extremely hard.  The wax applied after installation is the softest component of the floor and any marking or scratches made by an animal's claws will most likely be in the wax which is easily fixed by re-application of the wax.

How easy are leather floors to maintain?

In most residential installations, weekly cleaning with a damp, well-wrung mop is all that is needed.  As the tile surface becomes dull, re-waxing will bring the floor back to life.  Typically, re-waxing once or twice per year is sufficient.  In commercial installations, scuffing and marring are more likely to occur requiring more frequently cleaning, waxing and polishing.  The tiles themselves are plenty durable but the wax coating requires the greatest maintenance.  This is true for almost any waxed, hard flooring material.

How much do leather floors cost?

In the past, leather floors were so exclusively priced, they were out of reach for most homeowners and impractical for large commercial projects.  As we are the product manufacturer with our own tannery, Pelle Arte's leather tiles are much more reasonably priced.  Comparable to many high-end marble, stone & exotic wood species used for flooring, Pelle Arte leather tiles offer a unique option with a warmth and elegance unrivaled by any other floor covering material.  Keep in mind that the size of the leather tile affects the price.  Larger format tiles generate more waste material during manufacturing resulting in a higher cost per square foot.