Different Types of Leather
Whether it is furniture or personal accessories, buying genuine leather items requires thoughtful consideration. It can be difficult to choose between a range of different leather options when purchasing new furniture. The quality of leather varies greatly, the best quality leather will depend on these important factors:
- Type of animal
- Physical location and climate where the animal lived
- Quality and skill of the process and tanning
This blog will take you through the best quality leather consumers should choose when purchasing new furniture as well as other forms of leather used within furniture:
1. Full Grain Leather
Full grain leather is the most is the strongest and most durable leather on the market. However, this type of leather has been criticised when it comes to purchasing furniture for being too uncomfortable due to its firmness. On some full grain leather there may be scars, insect bites and folds on the skin acquired by the animal in its lifetime, making undesirable for furniture as it will show. On the other hand, full grain leather, stays in excellent condition for longer than any other leather as it is resistant to moisture as well as the surface does not split. However, with durability comes an expensive price tag, as furniture made from full grain leather is scarce in supply in comparison to other leathers which makes it a sought-after leather. Furniture with full grain leather tends to be bought for decoration than actual use.
2. Top Grain Cow Hide Leather
Top grain cow hide leather is the highest grade of leather as although it is also thick, its flexibility provides consumers looking to purchase furniture with that extra bit of comfort. The natural grain from the top surface of top grain leather is sanded away, removing any scar or insect bites which may show. Although, top grain cow hide leather can be more aesthetically pleasing when it comes to furniture, by sanding off the natural grain, the strongest fibres in the hide have been sanded. This makes top grain cow hide slightly less durable in comparison to full grain leather. Moreover, top grain cow hide leather does provide unique form of protection as there is a finish coat which provides protection against stains that would otherwise sink right in into full grain leather. We at Desired Living use real top grain cow hide leather and are firm believers on its quality and comfort.
3. Split Leather
This is what is left over after the top grain is removed from a hide. Because its fibrous leather, its cheaper, is damaged far more easily than full grain and top grain cow hide leather and doesn’t stand up well to prolonged use. Split furniture is often used on the backs of furniture as this part has no use and the split leather will provide a cheaper alternative than full grain and top grain cow hide leather for a section of furniture which no one will be able to notice. Furthermore, because it used mostly for backs, the issue of being easily damaged is removed as it obviously not being used as much as the front of the furniture.
4. Bonded Leather
This is a man-made product created by shredded leather and artificial bonding substances, placed on a fibre backing. The big downside to purchasing furniture made of bonded leather is that it does not acclimatise to the owner’s body temperature. As opposed to real leather, bonded leather is colder in the Winter and hotter in the Summer. Furthermore, bonded leather wears very quickly and does not get better looking making one of the more less popular leathers when purchasing furniture. We cannot recommend bonded leather for furniture.
Full grain and top grain cow hide leather are two most attractive and popular choices when it comes to purchasing furniture. What separates them is customer preference. Some consumers may prioritise comfort and therefore choose top grain cow hide leather and some may prioritise durability for appeal and minimal use and therefore choose full grain leather.
