Leather has been used with furniture for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, leather was used to create seating for the elite. The Romans first started using leather on a massive scale, adorning their most extravagant furniture pieces. In the Middle Ages and through the Renaissance, kings and noblemen would use leather as a symbol of their prestige. It was the Industrial Revolution that made leather more accessible on a much wider scale. Today, leather remains a symbol of quality in craftsmanship.
When looking into the right type of leather furniture for your home, there are many factors to consider. In this article, we will explore the types of leather, their characteristics, and the proper cleaning and maintenance methods for each.
Related Link: The Benefits of Investing in Quality Furniture
Types of Leather
While on the subject, it is important to note that skin grows from the inside out. As new skin is formed in the subdermal layer, it presses the layers above into more compact fiber groupings. As a result, this causes the most mature layer of skin to be at the top and have the most compact fibers. The more compacted the fibers, the stronger the hide. As you move deeper into the hide layers, you will find the fibers much more immature and looser. Let’s look at types of leather-based on their position in the hide, the quality you can expect from that leather type, and its characteristics.
Full Grain Leather
Derive this highest-quality leather type from the top layer of the hide. Full-grain leather retains the hide’s natural grain, showcasing the leather’s inherent, but beautiful, imperfections. This leather is truly unique as wrinkles, cattle scars, and uneven grain patterns are common and celebrated. As it ages, a beautiful patina will develop over time.
Top Grain Leather
This leather is slightly less expensive than full-grain leather. You make top-grain leather from the top layer of the hide and then undergo a light sanding process to remove some imperfections, resulting in loss of the very top of the hide. You will improve resistance to wear and staining while maintaining strength and durability.
Corrected Grain Leather
Sanded and buffed, this leather type removes imperfections. Afterward, press a grain into the leather using a grain stamp. This equalizes the grain across the top of the hide. While it lacks the natural look of full and top-grain leather, it is more affordable and offers enhanced resistance to wear and staining.
Split Leather
Split leather is derived from the bottom of the dermis. In this area, the fibers are noticeably looser than the top grain. Cut the leather along that differentiating line, separating it from the top grain. Often referred to as “the split”, it has a suede-like texture and is less durable. Manufacturers use this layer of hide primarily on the outside back and arms of the furniture. This helps reduce costs while maintaining the look of genuine leather.
Feax Leather
Faux leather is an alternative to traditional animal-derived leather. Faux leather is manufactured from synthetic materials, mostly vinyl or polyurethane, mimicking the appearance of genuine leather.
Bonded Leather
Bonded leather is a by-product of leathermaking, using scraps and leftover fibers. If you break down the fibers to a pulp and mix the fibers with heated polyurethane, you will have bonded leather. The leather content in bonded leather is around 15% real fibers mixed with synthetic materials. Thinly apply the newly bonded leather to a glued substrate, usually a polyester or polypropylene mesh cloth. While more budget-friendly, it lacks the durability and authenticity of other leather types. As a result, bonded leather furniture has an average lifespan of 2 to 5 years. Companies will market bonded leather under many other names. It’s important to be aware of these names when shopping for leather products to ensure you are making an informed decision about the type of material you are purchasing.
- Reconstituted Leather
- Blended Leather
- Dura-Blend Leather
- Genuine Leather Bonded
- Bi-Cast/Bycast Leather
- Regenerated Leather
- Composite Leather
- Leatherette
Vinyl
While vinyl is not leather, I feel it is important to mention. Vinyl is a strong, durable plastic material that you will commonly find alongside leather in many cases. Vinyl, in many cases, replaces split leather for outside backs and arms. It is durable, weather-proof, easy to clean, and resistant to fading. Also known as pleather, vinyl is thicker and more resilient than bonded leather.
Cactus Leather
Another non-traditional leather is cactus. Also known as Desserto or Nopal Leather, after the companies currently producing them, comes from Mexico’s prickly pear cactus. The leather is a durable and versatile alternative for use in the same applications as animal-derived leather, aligning itself with the growing demand for ethically and environmentally responsible design choices.
Names of Processed Leather
While leather types are important, it is also crucial to consider the finishing process of the hide. Processed leather has undergone specific treatments and finishes to elevate its appearance and durability. These treatments may involve dying, pigmenting, or coating the raw leather. All processed leather comes from the leather types mentioned above, and may sometimes have more than one process applied, and is meant to capitalize on their characteristics.
Aniline Leather
Use dyes specially made to penetrate leather fibers to create aniline leather. Normally, aniline leather comes from top-grain or full-grain leather to highlight its natural characteristics. Aniline leather is a much sought-after leather type for its natural look, but it lacks any protective coating. As a result of its popularity, aniline leather is usually more expensive. On the other hand, aniline leather is a more difficult leather to maintain. In other words, aniline may not be the best choice for a busy household.
Semi-Aniline Leather
This leather type is processed closely to aniline leather, as the leather is dyed through, but it receives a light protective coating. This coating enhances the leather’s durability and stain resistance. The protective coating on the leather is very light, thus allowing the semi-aniline leather to retain its natural look and soft feel.
Pigmented Leather
Pigmented leather, also known as painted leather or protected leather, has a protective pigment layer applied to the surface. The leather is not dyed through, so the color of the leather fibers is much lighter than the pigment color used. This protective coating makes the leather more stain-resistant. You will rarely use full-grain leather in pigmenting, as the pigment will mask the natural fiber of the leather; opt instead for top-grain leather. You will likely correct pigmented leather to reintroduce a grain. Bonded leather also has a pigmented process where you add color to the polyurethane as well as a protective coating.
Top Coated Leather
Top-coated leather is treated with a clear protective layer, which provides excellent resistance to stains and scratches. On a negative note, this application may affect the softness and feel of the leather, but this type of leather is easy to clean and maintain. As a result, top-coated leather is quite suitable for busy households with pets. Top-coated leather can be mistaken for aniline leather if no color coat is applied. Consequently, this gives top-coated leather versatility. Beautiful, yet protected finishes make this leather type a consumer favorite.
Embossed Leather
Create embossed leather by pressing a pattern onto the leather surface, giving the leather a textured look. It can resemble the appearance of more expensive leather types but at a lower cost.
Cleaning And Maintenance
Periodic cleaning and conditioning of leather is essential to preserve the leather and prolong its lifespan. Using a dedicated cleaner along with a separate conditioner is the best practice (No 2-in-1 products). Also, regular dusting with a soft, dry microfiber cloth helps prevent abrasion by removing surface particles. Immediate cleanup of any spills is essential to prevent stains from penetrating any coatings and setting. Simply blotting spills gently without vigorous rubbing will maintain the topcoat.
Unfortunately, aniline leather does not have a topcoat. Therefore, it is best practice to avoid wet stains altogether as the leather is highly absorbent. When using a leather cleaner, even application to the furniture would produce the best results. As a result of the cleaning, you may experience some color transfer to the cloth. This is a normal reaction of aniline dyes. You will darken the leather when the cleaner is applied. This is also normal. Apply the conditioner moderately once the cleaner has dried and the leather color has returned to normal.
Which Type Of Leather Is Good For You?
There are many considerations to take in choosing the best leather furniture for your home; family dynamics, budgeting, care and maintenance, and décor style to name a few. The best avenue to a satisfying purchase is a well-informed decision. Since every household is different, here is a quick list of factors to keep in mind:
- Intended Use
- Price and Budgeting
- Comfort and Feel
- Color and Style
- Quality of Craftmanship
- Longevity and Durability
- Maintenence and Care Needs
- Warranty Policy
While this is a good point to start in understanding the many types leather that can cover furniture in your home, this just scratches the surface of leatherwork. There is a whole science and certainly an art to leather, including leather as upholstery. In any case, I hope you have a good basic idea of the leather types and how they might fit into your home.