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Writer's pictureA.M.A.

Guide to Upholstery Leather

Updated: Nov 3, 2022

There are many types of leather available for upholstered furniture. Determining the one to use on a piece has a lot to do with the look you want to achieve, longevity of the piece, along with the investment price point you have in mind. Colour is a mute subject at this point. Leather can be dyed and is available in every colour imaginable, including metallics!


Honestly, when I started blogging, I never thought that I would end up writing about upholstery leather. But here I am, with all the wisdom of someone who has been on both sides of the fence, from purchasing, to selling and recommending it for well over 20+ yrs... This means I bring a unique and educated perspective to the realm of all thing’s hides. There is so much to know. I learn new information about it all the time. Literally this week, I learned one more thing important piece of information. Its all good because knowledge brings the power of making an educated decision.




Upholstery leather should be at least 1.2 – 1.4 mm thick. This means that it will stand up to the everyday wear and tear that familial life can bring. Make no mistake, leather is a luxurious material with which to cover furniture, from commercial to residential pieces, from cars to airplanes. Other great factors of leather are its durability, smell, breathability, comfort and eco-sustainability. The hides from animals used for consumption makes it bi-material, which would otherwise go to waste.


Let’s break this all down, so that it makes sense…


1. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO...

  • When shopping for leather understand the quality and value that you are investing into a piece

  • Commissioned Sales people will throw out all sorts of jargon which can be confusing to the uninitiated

  • The term leather can cover more than simply the word, asking the right questions about the construction will lead you to direct answers (usually)

2. WHAT IS BONDED LEATHER?

  • Cheap, a form of processed leather that is mixed with other material to give you a deal but isn’t really true leather

  • These are the little scraps leftover from other leather manufacturing, which are then mixed with other small pieces, bonded together, then ground up, mixed and laid out in a long thin layer and adhered together with a thick layer of polyurethane (Sounds simple, right?)

  • Simply a “leather product” and often misleads consumers

  • You will be sitting on mostly plastic, hot or cold, sticky or sweaty, it will never acclimate to your body temperature or get better with age

  • Wipe up messes easily (hey, you knew there had to be something positive here)

3. WHAT IS BICAST LEATHER?

  • When a hide is put into production, it is cut horizontally into layers (think of a layer cake with its different layers), these layers consist of the Top Grain and then every split below that initial cut

  • Bicast is a layer any layer below the Top Grain, too thin or flawed for normal use

  • It's completely sealed with a top layer of polyurethane

  • Like bonded leather you never actually sit on leather itself, so you won’t experience any of the attributes of a Top Grain leather

  • An economic alternative for those who want the look without its price

  • Wipe up messes easily

4. WHAT IS SPLIT LEATHER?

  • This is the lower level of the hide underneath the Top grain

  • 100% real leather without all of the characteristics because it requires further processing, usually corrected-grain is finished with pigments and surface spots to cover defects

  • Initially, it is light in colour and fuzzy, then it is further manufactured so it will look shiny without natural variations

  • Tends to have a very uniform appearance

5. WHAT IS LEATHER MATCH?

  • This is when real Top Grain leather is placed on every touched piece (i.e., seat, back, cushions and arms), then the back panels that cover the sides panels, back panels, and back of cushion with non-leather

  • Most matches are made with vinyl, bicast or bonded parts

  • Manufacturers will sometimes claim 100% leather, when side and back panels have split hides, making a piece more economical, although this will not offer the same longevity of a full Top Grain piece

6. WHAT IS TOP GRAIN LEATHER?

  • Best type of leather money can buy, smoothest, most supple used on upholstered pieces

  • Also known as Full-Grain leather

  • This is the leather to look for and acquire

  • Each hide is individual, unique like a fingerprint, comprised of 12-14% water, which makes is acclimate quickly to your body temperature and its environment

  • It is a natural product and therefor breathes like one

  • Several different grades available

  • Will not leave you sweating or freezing

  • Will develop a patina, which is a charming leather quality

  • Over exposure to direct sunlight will dissipate the water content, so twice-yearly (at least) conditioning is a must!

  • A quick wipe each week keeps dust at bay

  • Excellent for allergy sufferers, since dust mite can not infiltrate the inner upholstery construction

  • Both universal and timeless, keep in mind leather furniture requires special care and placement away from direct sunlight (unless you enjoy the UV patina) and heaters, so the placement within a room must be known before investing in a luxury piece

Types of Leather finishing

  • Pure Aniline leather: these are colored skins with non-toxic dyes and are not treated with a protective finish. This skin has a lot of porosity, so it easily absorbs natural oils. Aniline dyes are transparent, so this type is used with high quality full grain leather with natural marks evident on the surface

  • Semi-Aniline leather: these skins are similar to the first, but in addition they have a thin layer of pigment that is applied to even the color and uniform the surface. The skin is sprayed with a protective coating keeping its natural aspect

  • Pigmented leather: it is a type of leather to which a dye of pigments in suspension is sprayed over with the aim to protect and cover the surface giving greater resistance and creating a rich and uniform color. This type of finish can be applied both to the split skins and to the top grain hides. This type of leather is soft, but at the same time very resistant, for this reason is the most used for the coverings of furniture

  • Pull-up leather: it is a type of semi-aniline leather, with the addition of a wax, when it is pulled the dye spreads so as to create a two-tone antiqued effect. This type of skin looks aged as the wax that is applied as a protective coating is easily manipulated during normal use and these marks are then reabsorbed by themselves over time. This type of treatment is offered on top quality full grain leather and is used in antiques or fine furniture

  • Polished or hand-buffered leather: it is a type of semi-aniline leather with an antique effect given by hand applying layers of aniline dye on the full grain leather. It is a procedure that is carried out by expert craftsmen that apply various layers of color to obtain the desired effect and the leather may present natural signs. At the end a protective finish and a sealant is applied. This kind of finish is used a lot for antiques and high-end furniture

  • Nubuck Leather: (One of my favourite types of finish) this type of leather is obtained by sanding the full grain leather to create a soft and velvety appearance similar to the suede effect, but more luxurious and delicate. A protective layer is applied to the Nubuck leather for furniture to avoid easy stains from fluids. However, this type of skin is more delicate than aniline, semi-aniline or pigmented leather

  • Printed Leather: printing is a step in the leather finishing process. The leather is printed under pressure to create veins or specific textures on the surface; classic examples are dollar print leather (hammered) and reptile prints (like crocodile)

A final word on leather furniture… Yes, there is a lot to consider when purchasing. You are making a lasting investment. It will always cost more on the front end, but it will also give you many years of comfort. Hiring a professional from Anthony Interiors will offer you peace of mind through the leather selection process. We have the knowledge, skill and understanding for the entirety of your furniture piece, from construction through to coverings. We make it easy for you. Let's save you both time and confusion. Give this task to an expert at Anthony Interiors.


Have questions? Please reach out!

Until next time! – A.M.A.



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