Leather is one of those quality products that remain in demand, specifically for couches, chairs and headboards within many upmarket and stylish homes. The question is however, are you buying genuine top-grade leather, a by-product or a complete fake? Herewith a couple of guidelines that will not only have you asking the right questions but also help you make the correct decision when out shopping.
Here are the genuine leathers that are available:
Corrected grain
This is one of the most widely used leathers in South Africa, and abroad for that matter. Hides that have a less than perfect texture are generally used, and the surface is buffed and filled, and then run through a roller with a textured print on, which embosses the leather creating an even texture.
Full aniline or aniline leather
These leathers are gaining popularity, especially for the more discerning buyer who is after authenticity. The vintage-styled leathers that we are currently seeing also fall into this category. Full aniline leathers are the best-quality hides on the market, but beware – you will see all the flaws as these are completely natural.
Semi aniline
Semi-aniline leathers are produced through a very similar process to full aniline, but have a small amount of pigment and a thin clear protective top coat added to protect it from wear and staining.
Top grain
Top grain means that it has the natural skins’ surface.
Full grain
This is also the top-grain skin surface of the hide, with little change to the skin surface.
All of the previously listed terms are used for genuine leather. Now, here is what you could be buying:
Split leather
Split leather is leather created from the fibrous part of the hide that has been left once the top grain of the raw hide has been separated from the rest of the hide. Split leather then has an artificial layer applied to the surface of the split and is embossed with a leather grain.
Bi-cast
Bi-cast leather is a leather by-product. It is made from split leather, which is then laminated with a polyethylene top layer. It has been made available thanks to modern technology, which lets leather be split into a number of layers. The layers used to make bi-cast leather are of an inferior quality.
Bonded leather (reconstituted leather)
Bonded leather or “reconstituted leather” is not really a true leather but a man-made material composed of 80% to 100% leather fibres (often waste scraps from leather tanneries or leather workshops). These are then bonded together using latex.
PU
Synthetic leather is a man-made material that will represent the look and feel of genuine leather but in fact is not.
Leather couches are often advertised as having leather uppers, which means that only the seats and arms will be genuine leather, while the backs, sides and so forth will be another material.
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