Leather Chair and Furniture Information

What is leather?

Real leather is a natural product. It breathes, is warm and durable and has individual characteristics which make each hide unique. Leather will always bear the marks of its natural origin and these features can show as scratches, growth marks, areas of differing fibre density and hair pore structure. These characteristics in no way detract from the wearing qualities of the leather.

Leather is a by product, the basis of the UK leather industry is cattle and sheep which are reared specifically for the production of meat, wool and dairy products.

When choosing leather products, there is a trade-off between natural appearance and ease of care;
- Aniline leather is most natural looking, but is less resistant to soiling
- Pigmented leather is most durable, but is less natural in appearance
- Semi-aniline leather is somewhere between on both counts.

Determining the precise nature of a leather type is important as there are many different performance requirements depending on which of the three main categories of leather are being used for a product.

There are contradictions in the definitions of aniline, semi-aniline and pigmented leather in the available literature. This has inevitably led to some confusion within the industry, particularly over the description of semi-aniline leather. British Leather Company (BLC) has addressed this problem by simplifying the general principles offered in the various published definitions used within the industry. This has led to the development of a more reliable method of distinguishing the finish types, which is now being used in its laboratory.

Leather types used for furniture applications:

Aniline leather is the most natural looking leather with the unique surface characteristics of the animal hide remaining visible. Aniline leather is coloured only with dye and not with any surface coating of polymer and pigment. A light non-pigment surface coating may be applied to enhance its appearance and offer slight protection against spillages and soiling. A degree of natural marks and shade variation should be expected.

Semi-aniline leather is more durable than aniline while still retaining a natural appearance. The increased durability is provided by the application of a light surface coating which contains a small amount of pigment. This ensures a more consistent colour and imparts some degree of extra protection.

Pigmented leather is the most durable and most used for furniture upholstery. The durability is provided by a polymer surface coating which contains pigments. With modern technology the coating can be embossed, printed or plain. The surface coating allows greater resistance to scuffing or fading.

The thickness of the surface varies, but if the mean thickness is more than 0.15mm, then the product cannot be sold as leather in the UK due to consumer protection legislation. BLC owns and policies the Leathemark, a certified trademark, widely recognised by consumers as representing a product made from real leather.

- Full grain pigmented leather- the grain surface is left intact before applying the surface coating.
- Corrected grain pigmented leather- the grain surface is abraded to remove imperfections before the surface coating is applied. A decorative grain pattern is then embossed onto the surface.

Finished split – the lower or middle section of a hide with a polymer coating applied and embossed to mimic a grain leather.

Antique grain (two-tone or rub-off) is a leather to which a special surface has been applied to mimic the unique ‘worn’ appearance of more traditional leathers. This is achieved by a contrasting top coat which is applied unevenly, or partially rubbed off, to reveal a paler colour beneath. There will be natural marks and some shade variation. This type of leather will age more over time.

Pull-up leather (also known as waxy or oily pull-up) has a natural worn look, which will lighten in colour when stretched. Pull up leather will age and appear more living in with use. It may also have some natural marks and shade variation.

Nubuck is a natural looking aniline dyed leather where the grain surface has been very lightly abraded to create a soft velvety finish or nap. The nap is very fine due to the tight fibres in the grain layers of the hide. In some cases the grain pattern is still visible. This product can easily soil and is most appropriate for occasional use.

Suede is a split, where the middle or lower section of the hide is used and abraded to give a distinctive fibrous nap. The nap can vary in appearance, but is not as fine as the nap on nubuck because of the looser fibre structure.

LEATHER CARE
Light staining or spills as a general rule can be treated with a mild soapy damp cloth. More serious stains can be treated with a lightly formulated leather cleaner and ink stains removed with a dedicated ink remover.

The majority of modern upholstery leather is incredibly supple and inviting for the furniture buyer, but when stored in centrally heated domestic or commercial property it can still dry out.

This drying often affects the flexibility, resilience and luster of finished leather and so feeding and conditioning should be undertaken regularly.

See our leather chair collection. We also sell oak dining chairs, pine chairs, dark wood and painted chairs.