BEGINNERS GUIDE TO BUYING A LEATHER SOFA
Buying genuine leather furniture requires careful consideration; is it going to be suitable for the environment you’re going to use it?
For the average buyer, leather is just leather, but, this isn’t true! Producers often tan the leather differently depending on the quality of the hide or the end product they’ll be using it for.
While making a final decision is up to you, the details provided in this leather guide has everything that will surely help making the final choice.
Let’s dig deeper into the various types and qualities features of leather.
Different types of animals will produce different quality hides due to their location.
Hot temperatures tend to have bugs that bite the animal which leave blemish marks, while cool climates don’t endure from insects as much so the hides have less scars.
Different areas of a hide give different quality leather.
The lower belly area tends to have looser flesh fibres so this tends to stretch more, a good upholsterer will upholster this area on the back of furniture where it won’t receive any wear.
There are more wrinkles in the hide around the legs, neck and head, these scars and wrinkles are completely natural but are almost impossible to remove in the processing of the leather.
Different layers within the hide also have a big influence on quality.
Full grain leather is made from the top layer of the hide; it’s also the best and strongest quality of all the layers, it has a natural skin texture.
Top-grain is also made from the top cut of the leather, but it may have natural imperfections which have been sanded out and an artificial skin grain put in its place.
Split hides are when the hide has been split from a thicker hide to make thinner, more workable leathers. Some embossed leathers come from split hides, due to the fact that there is no texture left when the Top Grain is removed. You will see these listed as "embossed split leather".
Suede
Is part of the leather left behind after the top has been split away from the hide, this is why it has that velvety nap on top and the bottom of the leather.
We don’t recommend this for durability as it stains very easily, almost impossible to clean effectively, and impossible to restore colour successfully.
Pigmented Leather
This surface has a finish containing a flexible durable pigment, it has complete colour coverage, it can be plain or multi tonal in colour.
A great choice for sofas and car seats, can be cleaned, repaired and restored successfully.
Make sure you’re purchasing a top grain or full grain version of this leather.
Aniline Leather
Is a leather that has not been treated with pigmented finish.
The finish is transparent so the natural smooth skin surface can be seen through the colour.
It’s normally treated with oil or waxes to give it a rustic vintage appeal.
It will absorb stains/liquids but protectors are available, it is also vulnerable to fading but regular conditioning treatments should really slow the fading process.
Can be successfully revived using our aniline products
Semi-aniline
Semi-aniline leather is leather has a natural leather skin grain which is only slightly coloured with a layer of dye or micro-pigment, it is then sealed using a tinted coloured or clear sealant, therefore it offers more protection than an aniline leather.
It is still prone to absorbing stains/liquids but protectors are available, it is also vulnerable to fading but regular conditioning treatments should really slow the fading process.
Can be successfully revived using our aniline products
