1. The Difference Between Leathers - What Are You Really Buying?<br />Leather furniture is some of the most desired and sought after furniture around. The sleek color and shine of leather makes it the perfect choice for upscale and modern design, while the soft texture means you aren’t sacrificing comfort for looks. Leather is also one of the most durable materials used to create furniture. When properly cleaned and protected, a piece of leather furniture can last in your home for years.<br />There are various types of leathers used in the process of furniture manufacturing. Furniture retailers rarely disclose what these types of leathers are. Oftentimes, their sofas and armchairs are just advertised as “leather”. To make sure you are getting your money’s worth, it’s important that shoppers understand the differences between the leathers that could have been used to make their new piece of furniture. <br />Use the leather guide below to make sure you know what you are buying.<br />1. Full Grain Leather<br />Full grain leather has marks like scars, wrinkles, and bug bites. Contrary to what you may think, full grain leather is the most expensive and sought after for furniture buyers. Full grain leather has not been sanded or buffed to remove any imperfections, meaning the leather maintains its original strength and durability. The natural beauty of this leather gives it its desirable character and is often used to make high quality footwear, along with furniture.<br />2. Top Grain Leather<br />Interestingly enough, this does not refer to the quality of the leather, but rather to the cut of the hide. Top grain leather is thinner than full grain, and has had any natural imperfections smoothed away. However, top grain leather is more stain resistant than full grain leather, as a finish coat has been added to the surface of the leather. This results in a more plastic feel.<br />4. Split-Grain Leather<br />Leather is broken into two parts, the inner hide and outer hide. The inner hide is less desirable because it is not as tough as the outer hide. However, this type of leather is less expensive. It is also more durable than bonded leather.<br />Split leather means that everything your body touches when sitting on a piece of furniture (like a sofa) is leather, but the rest of the piece is made out of vinyl added fabrics. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but a retailer should disclose this information. Be sure to distinguish if you are getting a full leather item or a “split leather” piece<br />5. Bonded Leather<br />This is the least expensive leather used in furniture. It is composed of scraps of leather, not a single sheet, which makes it less durable. It is the equivalent of particle board in the leather world.<br />Buying a piece of leather furniture can be a big investment for some homes. Make sure your leather furniture lives up to your expectations! Know what kind of leather was used to manufacture your furniture before you buy. <br />About the Author<br />Gothic Cabinet Craft (1-877-446-8442) understands the unique challenges of living in an urban home. Our furniture is designed to maximize the available space, offering you the most storage area possible, regardless of your home’s size. Our real wood furniture can be custom made to fit your lifestyle. Visit us online at http://www.gothiccabinetcraft.com. <br />