Mastercarefurniture.com
Leather Furniture Information
Aniline leather is a type of leather in which high quality hides have been treated with aniline as a dye. This produces a delicate, soft, supple leather.Typically, leather is colored both for aesthetic reasons and to conceal blemishes. However, aniline leather is not colored. Often the term naked leather is used. This allows the leather to breathe better, making the leather more comfortable in both hot and cold weather.
However, extra care is required when using furniture made from this leather. It is particularly susceptible to discoloration by sunlight and vulnerable to liquid spills.
Bicast leather (also known as bycast leather, split leather or PU leather) is a split leather with a layer of polyurethane applied to the surface and then embossed. Bicast was originally made for the shoe industry and recently was adopted by the furniture industry. The original formula created was strong, but expensive. Most of the Bicast used today is very strong and durable product. The result can be a stiffer or supple product that is cheaper than top grain leather but has a much more consistent texture and is easier to clean and maintain. Some manufacturers use the bycast treatment to process their leather, which provides a smooth, shiny finish as well as protection to the leather..
Semi-aniline leather is more durable than aniline whilst still retaining a natural appearance. The increased durability is provided by the application of a light surface coating which contains a small amount of pigment. This ensures consistent color and imparts some stain resistance. Semi-aniline leather
Pigmented Leather is the most durable and is used in the majority of furniture upholstery and almost all car upholstery. The durability is provided by a polymer surface coating which contains pigments.The surface coating allows the manufacturer more control over the properties of the leather, e.g. resistance to scuffing or fading.
Antique grain (two-tone or rub-off)
A special surface effect has been created to mimic the unique 'worn' appearance of traditional leathers. This is achieved by applying a contrasting top-coat which is applied unevenly or partially rubbed off to reveal a paler underlying color.
Pull-up leather (also known as waxy or oily pull-up)
A leather with a natural appearance which lightens in color when stretched during wear to produce a unique worn-in effect with time.
Nubuck aniline dyed leather which has been lightly abraded on the grain surface to create a velvety finish or nap. In some cases the grain pattern is still visible. The nap is very fine because of the tight fibre structure in the grain layer.
Suede A split which has been abraded to create a distinctive nap. The nap can vary in appearance but is not as fine as the nap on nubuck because of the looser fibre structure.
Leather a very durable product but processed a few different ways and has its characteristics a sharp Leather Upholstered sofa or Chair can make the room. Leather comes in a wide verity of Colors, white and light colors for formal living areas is recommended and darker colors are recommended in higher usage areas like family rooms wear better over time
Leather match is a vinyl product used on sofas,sectionals and recliners,upholstered on the outside back and sides matching the color and grain of the natural leather that is installed on the inside back arm bolsters and seats . note: ask the dealer if what you are purchasing contains this configuration
Click on Thumbs
Leather natural characteristics
Leather Upholstery Chair structure cut away Diagram Click to Enlarge
Sauvage
Can be a semi aniline or pigmented leather with multiple layers of color or tones. Often used to create hand wiped, distressed, antique, and multicolored appearances. The color layer may be very subtle or have a drastic color change. A savauge leather should have a top coat applied over the color layer for durability.
Full-grain leather refers to the leather which has not had the upper "top grain" and "split" layers separated. The upper section of a hide that previously contained the epidermis and hair, but were removed from the hide/skin. Full-grain refers to hides that have not been sanded, buffed, or snuffed (as opposed to top-grain or corrected leather) to remove imperfections (or natural marks) on the surface of the hide. The grain remains allowing the fiber strength and durability. The grain also has breathability, resulting in less moisture from prolonged contact. Rather than wearing out, it will develop a patina over time. Leather furniture and footwear are made from full-grain leather. Full-grain leathers are typically available in two finish types: aniline and semi-aniline.
Top-grain leather is the second-highest quality and has had the "split" layer separated away, making it thinner and more pliable than full grain. Its surface has been sanded and a finish coat added to the surface which results in a colder, plastic feel with less breathability, and will not develop a natural patina. It is typically less expensive, and has greater resistance to stains than full-grain leather, so long as the finish remains unbroken.
Corrected-grain leather is any leather that has had an artificial grain applied to its surface. The hides used to create corrected leather do not meet the standards for use in creating vegetable-tanned or aniline leather. The imperfections are corrected or sanded off and an artificial grain impressed into the surface and dressed with stain or dyes. Most corrected-grain leather is used to make pigmented leather as the solid pigment helps hide the corrections or imperfections. Corrected grain leathers can mainly be bought as two finish types: semi-aniline and pigmented.
Split leather is leather created from the fibrous part of the hide left once the top-grain of the rawhide has been separated from the hide. During the splitting operation, the top grain and drop split are separated. The drop split can be further split (thickness allowing) into a middle split and a flesh split. In very thick hides, the middle split can be separated into multiple layers until the thickness prevents further splitting. Split leather then has an artificial layer applied to the surface of the split and is embossed with a leather grain (bycast leather). Splits are also used to create suede. The strongest suedes are usually made from grain splits (that have the grain completely removed) or from the flesh split that has been shaved to the correct thickness. Suede is "fuzzy" on both sides. Manufacturers use a variety of techniques to make suede from full-grain. A reversed suede is a grained leather that has been designed into the leather article with the grain facing away from the visible surface. It is not considered to be a true form of suede
The materials which are important to the quality of an upholstered Leather furniture product, such as a bed, sofa, chair or ottoman, may be considered in four categories: the frame (usually wooden) of which is to be constructed; the spring system; the cushioning or padding; and the final Leather covering.
Site Navigation
Crocodile leather, leather from a saltwater crocodile
Morocco leather, a type of goatskin dyed red
Nappa leather, a full-grain leather
Ostrich leather, leather from an ostrich
Patent leather, leather with a high gloss and shiny finish
Pleather, a term for artificial leather
Poromeric imitation leather, a group of synthetic leather substitutes
Vegan leather, an artificial alternative to traditional leather
Leather was probably the first covering used on furniture in history Dating back to prehistoric times.Hunter Gatherers used animal hides as clothing, covering for bedding,seats,and fashioning tools as a necessity .As time went on Leather Upholstery covering For Furniture continued because of its durability,used more as a decorative feature and Processed in many different ways.Leather Upholstery and coverings are Timeless and continue to be used in modern times
Leather Types
Leather Upholstery Information
Other Leather Types Non Cattle Based include
M
Contact Us
