Why Buy Leather?

The advantages of leather furnishings over fabric are numerous:

• Leather is incredibly strong!  It takes over 400 lbs. of pressure to puncture upholstery leather.
• The tear strength of leather is legendary!  That is why you see harnesses, belts, and shoe laces made out of leather.
• Leather is naturally burn resistant!  It is the only upholstery material that does not require additional flame retardants to meet airline specifications.
• When maintained, leather has an incredible life expectancy!  Most experts rate leather as 4:1 lifetime over textile.
• Leather in non-allergenic! All of the dust particles can be fully removed making it ideal for dust sensitive persons.
• Leather does not sit hot or cold!  In fact, it maintains room temperature until it comes in contact with your skin then it adjusts to your temperature.
• Leather is a prestige item!  Most items, like furniture and automobiles, are available in leather indicating quality.
  

Types of Leather

ANILINE
Only the finest hides in the world fall in this category. Lovers of truly natural products are particular fond of these leathers. Through the years this type of leather develops a patina which adds to its value as a focal point in any room. Only 5% of the total world hide supply fall in this category.-Only "A" grade hides meet this criteria.

FULL ANILINE
Some of the finest hides in the world fall in this category. The only difference is a slightly lower selection of hides can be used here. A slight protective finish (usually micropigments) are applied by roller to give the leather some serviceability.

SEMI ANILINE / ANILINE
These leathers are processed a little more, first by aniline dying in large drums like the leathers above, but then also finished on top. Spray pigments of color are applied to the tops of the hides to even out the finish and camouflage natural occurring imperfections. These leathers are light resistant and scratch resistant and are easily cleaned. The next 10 - 15% of the world hide supply fall in this category. "B"grade hides meet these criteria.

Full Grain vs Top Grain

FULL GRAIN LEATHER
Just as the grain, texture and markings of wood should reveal the nature of the tree from which it came, leather should display the natural markings and grain characteristics of the animal from which it was taken. The best upholstery leathers are clear, clean, and supple. They are also dyed through with transparent aniline dyes. The full natural grain is retained and they are called "full grain leather." Cheaper leathers have the natural or genuine grain sanded away and an imitation grain pressed or embossed into the surface.They are stiff and "boardy" with a heavy coating of pigmentation to cover up imperfections and they look and feel much like plastic.The better the quality of hide or skin, the less it has to be treated.The natural grain variations should be exposed.
One should see the "fat wrinkles" and the feel, or hand, should be supple and natural to the touch. So when choosing your leather, make sure it looks natural, smells good, and has a soft hand. Inspect your leather carefully. Make certain that it retains the full natural grain.
Full grain leather is the best quality!

TOP GRAIN LEATHER
The most confusing term used in the furniture industry is the term "top grain". It can be a contradiction because it often implies what it is not. "Top grain", is the definition that is generally used when the grain is not genuine: when the real grain is sanded away and an imitation grain is stamped into the leather. When the genuine grain remains, the leather is called, "full grain", or "full top grain", not simply "top grain."
Top grain is a generally regarded as a economy leather!

How is Leather Made?

How ANILINE leathers are made:

• The leather is tanned, then dyed to a crust color.
• Often the surface is sprayed with additional ANILINE dye in an attempt to even out the coloring.
• It is possible that additional treatments are administered to create looks like savage, pull up, wax crackle, and shrunken grain.
• As a final step, sometimes a light protective spray (such as wax) is applied to give the leather light resistance from staining.

How PROTECTED leathers are made:

• The leather is tanned, then dyed to a crust color. Depending upon the selection of the hides, the leather is either partially or heavily machined and buffed to even out and hide natural markings.
• Pigment is applied to the leather either by spraying or roller coating.
• Depending upon the article, partial or full embossing of grain is done to the surface.
• Finish is applied to the leather to provide rub resistance and to seal the pigment.
• Steps are taken to soften the leather using either massaging machines and/or tumbling.

How NUBUCK leathers are made:

• The leather is tanned, then dyed to a crust color.
• The surface is then brushed with fine brushes that cut the leather and create a nap or velvet texture.
• Depending upon the article, stamping of a grain or print effect may be administered.
• Additional ANILINE dye stuff is applied to the surface to even out or enrich the color.
• Fixation agents are sprayed on the surface to seal the color and prevent transfer.
• The leather is tumbled to bring out the NUBUCK effect and maximize softness.

Leather Characteristics

Leather type: Aniline Leathers
Hand or Comfort: Excellent
Natural Markings: Visible
Color: Shading is Normal
Cleanability: Moderate
Resistance to Fading: Low. It is best to avoid direct sunlight
Leather type: Protected Leathers
Hand or Comfort: Moderate
Natural Markings: Hidden
Color: Uniform
Cleanability: Excellent
Resistance to Fading: High. It is best to avoid direct sunlight

Leather type: Buffed (Nubuck) Leathers
Hand or Comfort: Excellent
Natural Markings: Visible
Color: Shading is Normal
Cleanability: Moderate
Resistance to Fading: Low. It is best to avoid direct sunlight.

Leather Care

• Try to maintain at least 2 feet between your funiture and heating sources.
• Avoid placing your furniture in direct sunlight. All materials will fade over time when paced in direct sunlight. NuBuck leathers are especially sensitive to sunlight.
• With leather, you can fully remove dust particles from the surface with a soft cloth. Use a professional cleaner to help resist staining and prevent overall soiling.
• Fully clean your furniture with a soft cloth and re-protect with a professional cream protector every six months to remove dirt as well as the gradual accumulation of body oils and perspiration. For oil based stains, use a professional degreaser.
• Do not use any products that are not recommended by the manufacturer as they may negatively affect the leather's surface.