It is easy to understand why so many people are buying
leather furniture these days. Leather
recliners are extremely durable, comfortable, and are easy to clean and care for. They age well, resist stains, and do not become sticky in the summer or cold in the winter. The hard part, though, is deciding what type of leather to choose! All leather is different. It varies from the animal it came from to the types of natural markings found on each individual piece. The different categories of leather result from the area of hide that is used and the way in which that hide is treated.
On Top of the World
Top grain leather is one of the most popular, and luxurious, leathers available. When a leather hide is separated during processing, it is normally split into two parts. The uppermost layer, which is the top grain, has nothing removed from it besides hair. The natural hide markings are visible, which make each piece unique and rich in quality. Top grain leathers are preferred for furniture use because they are:
- Strong
- Durable
- Rich in color
- Easy to dye
The Great Divide
Another popular, and more affordable, type of leather is split leather. Unlike top grain, split leather consists of the bottom part of the hide, and has often been split into two or more pieces. The piece is then trimmed, brushed and given a pigment. Split leather is also often sueded, which means that it has undergone a heavy buffing process. Because split grain leather is not as strong as top grain, it is often used in places on furniture that do not come into as much physical contact, such as the outer sides of a chair, or the back of a sofa. Split leather is preferred by many because it is:
- Affordable
- More durable than fabric
- Soft to the touch
