Some years ago not
everyone could afford to buy leather furniture.
Leather furniture was used and meant for the elite and
rich strata of society. In the past few years the
prices of leather furniture has come down considerably
as leather furniture has become very popular. Today
leather furniture is available in a number of styles
that buying leather furniture has become affordable.
Here are a few tips about leather furniture that you
can use before buying it.
Grade
The durability and price of leather is
dependent on the grade of the leather.
Top grain leather is leather taken from the
outer surface of the hide.
Split grain leather is leather takes from the
lower surface of the hide, which is weaker.
All expensive leather furniture is made from
top grain leather.
Top grain leather is graded depending on the
way the leather has been manufactured.
Aniline leather is made by soaking it in
aniline dye and does not have any other finish or pigment.
Only the best hides are put through this
process that makes the leather extremely soft.
Semi-aniline leather is coated or pigmented
slightly to protect it from stains and fading.
Pigmented leather is colored on the surface
and is made from poorer hides, is stiffer and therefore more
affordable.
Finish
Leather is graded according to the way it is
finished for the market.
Almost perfect mark-free hides are very rare
and therefore expensive.
Most aniline has wrinkles and scars on it.
This makes it look natural.
Adding finishes and pigments to leather
protect it from the sun and stains.
Texture
Texture of leather furniture is partly
dependent on its grade.
Good quality leather is soft and supple
whereas pigmented leather is stiffer.
Nubuck leather is top grain leather that has
been brushed or abraded creating a short nap along with
softness. It is treated thus making it more stain resistant
than other anilines.
Suedes look and feel like Nubuck but are made
from spilt grain leather.
Sauvage leather has a two-toned effect that
gives a marbled or creased appearance.
Pull-up leather is aniline leather with an
oil or wax application. When this leather is pulled the oil or
wax separates creating a lighter color. This method is used to
give leather a weathered look.
Embossed leather has its grains corrected so
that a new pattern or grain is imprinted on them. Subjecting
leather to high heat or pressure embosses leather.
The above information about leather and leather
furniture should give you an idea of the leather furniture you
should buy.
