Leather Lounge Suite NZ – Know your leather.
There is nothing quite as luxurious and timelessly appealing as a genuine leather lounge suite. Although it is one of the more expensive upholstery options, it remains one of the most popular, and it is easy to understand why.
Genuine leather is flexible, comfortable, and if taken care of, can last a long time.
In fact, unlike fabric, it improves with age, and remains one of the most durable forms of upholstery on the market as it is fire-, crack- and tear-resistant. It promises to hold its shape well over the years, and the aging patina of the leather will gradually add to the sofa’s charm.
Different types of leather
Not all leather upholstery is created equal, it is therefore important to understand the differences between the various types of leather before you go shopping.
Corrected grain leather or pigmented leather
Corrected grain leather is the easiest to maintain as it has a stain-resistant sealer coat.
Pigments are added to the sealer, resulting in an even colour and texture. The disadvantage of this kind of leather is that it feels colder and harder to the touch compared to other leathers.
It also doesn’t offer the more organic look that aniline leathers do.
Semi-aniline leather
Semi-aniline leather looks more natural than corrected grain leather. It disguises only some of the natural colour variations and markings inherent in the leather.
A combination of pigment and dye with a thin topcoat is used to seal this leather. It feels softer and has stain-resistant qualities.
Full aniline leather
Full aniline leather means that only pure dye is used to colour this leather. No surface pigmentation is applied.
The beauty of this process is that it doesn’t camouflage any blemishes or scratches, leaving the leather furniture to share its origin and history.
Full aniline leather will continue to change over time due to its light sensitivity. It is also much softer than the leathers mentioned already.
Buffed aniline
Buffed aniline feels a lot like suede, but has a more rugged appearance. It is soft to the touch and comfortable to sit on.
The drawback of this kind of leather is that it absorbs oil, so it is inclined to go darker and shinier where it makes body contact.
Pull-up aniline
Pull-up aniline leather has been treated with additional wax or oil to re-create a distressed, old world look. The technique emphasizes markings.
This kind of leather may fade with time, giving it a unique look.
Need to know more? Give us a call on 09 440 9858.
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