If you’re considering enjoying the luxury of leather furniture in your home, understanding the various types of leather is key. In terms of durability and quality, full top grain leather furniture will provide you with stylish pieces that can last a lifetime. There are many types of leather available, so learning the differences between them can help you determine which one will suit your needs best. Read on to discover more about leather types and how top grain leather can add comfort and beauty to your lifestyle and your home.
Understanding What Top Grain Leather Means
Whether it’s furniture, clothing, or accessories, there are a plethora of different types of leather available. The type of leather used depends on the source, the manufacturing process, and the overall quality. Here are some of the most popular types of leather used to create stylish furniture for your home:
Types of Leather
The first item on the list is to clarify that top grain leather means it is the top layer of the hide. It does not indicate the quality of this hide. It is the most durable part of the hide and can either be used organically or it can be sanded down to remove imperfections and beauty marks.
-
Full Top Grain Leather:
This is the most sought after leather quality due to its rareness and breathability. This leather is the top 20% of top grain leathers in the world. Because there are fewer imperfections, the entire hide is used organically without altering the surface of the hide. This allows the leather to transfer heat through the intact hair follicle making this leather very climate controlled and the opposite of lower quality leathers. This leather is warm in winter and cool in the summer, making it a perfect choice for leather recliners or leather sofas. Full top grain, also called full grain, leathers can be processed with many different looks and protection levels. It keeps its original texture and markings so that it ages over time and produces a rich, rustic patina.
-
Corrected Top Grain Leather:
This is a typical top grain leather and represents 80% of all leathers in the world. These leathers come in with too many imperfections, therefore, the entire hide is sent through a total correction process to remove the natural marking and make the product sellable. This process closes the hair follicles of the hide and hinders the breathability of the leather as it becomes hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
-
Split Grain Leather:
This is a by-product that is left behind when the top grain is removed from the hide. It does not contain the strength and durability of full top grain leathers and has 1-3 year life expectancy before it peels and cracks. Typically used in inexpensive belts, wallets, and shoes, this leather is commonly found on promotional national furniture brands.
-
Bonded Leather:
This is not leather at all. This product was designed in China to bypass the laws in the USA. Leather shavings are gathered and then pray glued to the bottom of vinyl. The only reason this is done is so they can add the word leather to this product. This is not leather and will not last more than a couple of years.
Full Top Grain Leather Benefits
If you’re considering full grain leather furniture for your home, there are many excellent benefits this type of leather provides. Some full top grain leathers are ideal for busy households due to its high level of protection while others go for a look and have less protection. Here are some key benefits of leather furniture made from full top grain leather:
- Full top grain leather is extremely durable. Thanks to its tough nature, this form of leather can withstand heavy use and years of enjoyment on furniture. The leather is soft to the touch but using the outer layer of the hide makes it highly versatile and tough.
- Protected and highly protected full top grain leathers are resistant to stains and markings. If you’re concerned about damaging your leather furniture, these leathers are a wise choice. Since this type of leather is treated with a protective coating, full grain leather sofas are perfect for homes with children, pets, or messy individuals. The coating also provides a layer of sun protection so your furniture is fade resistant. If you’re concerned about appearances, full top grain leather furniture is a wise choice.
- Breathability – Because these leathers are not completely corrected, the hair follicle act as microscopic little heat transfer tubes that allows heat to transfer through the leather making this leather much more comfortable.
- Patinas – This is the aging process of the leather and is a desirable evolution for full grain leathers. Because they are more natural full grain leathers will patina and get nicer and softer with age.
Leather Furniture Basics
Once you’ve decided to integrate leather furniture into your home, it’s time to learn more about care and cleaning. Most high-quality full top grain leather furniture will last for many years. Thanks to its durability, leather sofas and chairs have a long lifespan. While there’s no definitive timeframe, a well-kept piece of leather furniture should last you around 25 years or more. Keep in mind that proper is care is key when it comes to extending the life of your leather furniture. Full Top grain leather is highly durable, but you should still treat your furniture with care.
Wipe up spills on protected leathers as soon as possible using a soft microfiber cloth. Blot the spill and try not to rub it, as this can wear down the protective coating over time. Spills won’t absorb into most protected full top grain leather furniture, but you should still try to wipe them clean as soon as possible so that the integrity of the leather doesn’t become compromised. In order to preserve your beautiful leather furniture, use a special cleaning and conditioning treatment designed for full top grain. This treatment should be applied twice per year to help your furniture maintain its natural, luxurious look for years to come.
In terms of style, you can find full top grain leather furniture in a range of colors. Since this leather is dyed using natural & pigmented processes, the range of hues is endless. You can find pieces in shades ranging from deep brown and black to modern gray and contemporary red. You can choose monochromatic colors or colors that vary greatly. Choose a piece or set of furniture that will provide you with the style, durability, and reliability you need for your home.