Are you thinking of buying leather furniture or maybe a car with leather seats? Consumers need to know what type of skin they are buying so that they can figure out what to expect. This article defines terms, describes the attributes of each skin type, and offers advantages and disadvantages for you to be a knowledgeable shopper.
As leather is processed in a tannery, it defines its “type”. Think about this distinction: the stiffness of the sole of a shoe and the elasticity of a thin leather glove. Can they be different from each other? However, they both entered the tannery like animal skin, then processed in a way that creates the desired attributes. Here is the meat of this business.
Ready Leather - Top Grain (Full Grain)
Definition: Usually chrome skin, which is the skin of the epidermis. This is an aniline dye, and then local pigment coating and has a clear coating applied to the surface. These coatings are the color and gloss on the skin.
Attributes: this is the most durable skin, as it has the strength of the upper layer or epidermis with a protective coating on the skin. The epidermis is the main source of strength and durability of the skin.
Advantages: High durability, withstands the harsh conditions of an active household or commercial environment. It fades and is resistant to stains. Easy to keep up, this skin will last for many years if properly conditioned. This is the right skin for an active home environment.
Disadvantages: with a strong coating, the skin may feel hard and cold.
Finished Leather - Fixed Top Grain
Definition: This is a chrome-plated leather in which the epidermis of the skin is ground or fixed. The process of correction minimizes the unsightly properties of the skin. It is painted with aniline, then the actual rather heavy pigment coating and transparent coating are applied to the surface. These coatings are the color and gloss on the skin.
Attributes: It is not as durable as a true grain, because grinding destroys the outer layer or epidermis of the skin. Skin epidermis is the dominant factor for skin durability and strength. However, it is usually protected by a heavy coating on the skin. This is the most common skin type found in cars.
Advantages: Despite the fact that it does not have the durability of true top grain, it will withstand the harsh standards of normal use. It fades and is resistant to stains. Easy to maintain, this skin will last for years if it is properly conditioned.
Disadvantages: due to its heavy cover, the skin may feel stiff and cold. He had a primary element of durability (epidermis), destroyed in the process of grinding.
Finished Leather - Split-Hide
Definition: skin with a brown tint, which is the dense side of the skin, which is separated from the top grain. It is painted, then a local pigment coating and a clear coating are applied to the surface. These coatings are the color and gloss on the skin.
Attributes: because it is not the top grain, this skin has no strength. This is a lower graded leather without a top grain mixer strength, therefore, will have a short useful life. Split skins are usually heavily pigmented with a strong urethane transparent layer.
Benefits: Affordable. It fades and is resistant to stains. Skin is easy to clean.
Disadvantages: it is heavily covered. The skin looks tough and cold. Split lacks durability.
Unfinished, aniline colored leather
Definition: chrome upper leather. The skin is called the bark (without finishing) with aniline dye poured into the skin. These are usually the most expensive skins. Only a small fraction of the entire skin can claim to be incomplete, since they are the skins with the least amount of unsightly skin properties, such as scaring or other skin anomalies. Option - semi-aniline - aniline dyed leather with a light-protective coating.
Attributes: This is a soft, elastic skin that has an amazing feeling and looks. Aniline dyes are translucent. Thus, they accentuate the natural beauty of the skin. Because it is the top grain, this skin has great physical strength. As a skin of age, it develops a unique patina that radiates the quality of thin skin.
Advantages: the initial appearance of the skin can not be beaten. Warm and attractive, with excellent eye appeal, this skin represents the best of the best.
Disadvantages: it is painted and disappears. Although it is aesthetically beautiful during the installation process, this skin is vulnerable, especially in an active home environment. It is very difficult to keep the original. It is very porous and absorbs spills, body oils, etc. more easily.
Tightening or oil for sunburn
Definition: chrome upper leather. The skin is filled with aniline dye that “floats” in the oil mixture. This means that the dye is not associated with the skin. Rather, it may move inside the skin, showing areas of color loss when stretched, scratched, or scuffed. This skin is often called distracting or is called “bomber jacket lining”.
Attributes: leather has a certain classic vintage look. Again, the dyes emphasize the natural beauty of the skin, and because it is an upper grain, this skin has great physical strength.
Advantages: Appearance and leather are designed to distract, which works great in a rustic style, quickly developing a well-worn look. The disturbing effect helps to hide stains. Since this needs to be distracted, staining and fading is not a problem.
Disadvantages: scratches easily. It absorbs stains and loses its color from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. It is very porous and it will be easier to absorb body oils, etc.
Bi-molded leather
Definition: chrome-plated colored leather or a composite of leather (for example, a fibrous board) with a very heavy urethane coating. The urethane coating has a dyed paint, so the color is applied to the coating, and not to the skin. It usually has a brilliant dark brown color.
Attributes: This is a very low-quality leather with a small strength of tinsel. The primary strength is a urethane coating. Although the original look is attractive, it has a short lifespan.
Benefits: This is an inexpensive skin. It is easy to clean.
Disadvantages: very short lifespan. If he fails, it is not easy to recover.
suede
Definition: Chrome is tanned, which is either top grain or divided. This is the dense side of the skin. It is a dream created when a cow hides in the transverse direction. High-quality suede is the underside of the highest quality leather.
Attributes: This skin has a nap, which creates a soft appearance and sensation. This is aniline, painted without protection. If this top grain is turned inside out, then it will have strength normally associated with the skin. If it is just a split, it will not support active use.
Advantages: It offers a warm attractive look. Feels comfortable to the touch with the depth of color that only a dye can offer.
Disadvantages: it easily disappears and stains. It is very porous and absorbs everything that comes into contact with it. It is very difficult to clean.
Nubuck or matte leather
Definition: Chrome tanned, aniline-colored, top grain, which is ground to enhance sleep.
Attributes: Like suede, this skin has a nap that creates a soft appearance and sensation. Its aniline is colored without protection.
Advantages: It offers a warm attractive look. Feels comfortable to the touch with the depth of color that only a dye can offer.
Disadvantages: it easily disappears and stains. It is very porous and absorbs everything that comes into contact with it. Like suede, it is very difficult to clean.
Belt skin (vegetable tanned)
Definition: This is a vegetable sheepskin coat, which is very durable and very durable. In leather furniture, it is used as load bearing components. Examples include the Wassily and Barcelona chairs (support belts).
Attributes: durable and durable, the skin will withstand years of use and continue to perform as expected. It requires very little maintenance. It is available in both finished (pigmented) and unfinished (untreated) forms.
Advantages: Long service life, durable and requires almost no maintenance.
Disadvantages: Tough, no frills, like a saddle, can be uncomfortable. The unfinished version will be easy to paint.
There are many other types of skin from the exotic, such as hairstyle or slope, to very thin skin, such as lamb, calf or baby skin. They are usually not applied to leather furniture because they do not have durability and are extremely sensitive to staining and fading.
This knowledge base is so important that during the Advanced Leather Solutions technicians training program, it was presented in the first lesson. To learn more, go to www.advleather.com. Good information about the care and maintenance of leather furniture and automotive leather is uploaded to the website.
