Not sure which genuine leather to go for?. Confused by all the terms and different types?. Yeah, me too. I've been in the trade for years and it can be a bit of a mine field. Read on to learn about our genuine leathers and find out which one is right for you.
Genuine leather is a fairly complicated subject, and beyond the scope of this article to cover completely in five minutes. To keep things as brief as possible I will cover what genuine leather is, how it's made, and the three main types of leather used on our tub chairs. From cheapest to most expensive we have, pigmented leather (sometimes called corrected leather), semi-aniline leather and aniline leather.
What Is Genuine Leather?
Genuine leather is a natural product and is the end result of curing animal skins, a process called tanning. The vast majority of animal skins used in furniture manufacturing, referred to as hides by the industry, are from cattle. Real leather is warm and durable and each hide is unique, showing the history of it's natural origins with every scar and bite mark. There is a belief amongst the general public that the more expensive the leather the better the quality must be, this isn't entirely accurate. Every hide that is tanned is the same quality. It's the cost of the various finishing processes and treatments that reflect in the final price.
The more heavily processed the leather the cheaper it tends to be, with some of the most expensive leathers having barely anything done to them. In the case of genuine leather, less really is more.
Genuine leather is a natural product and is the end result of curing animal skins, a process called tanning. The vast majority of animal skins used in furniture manufacturing, referred to as hides by the industry, are from cattle. Real leather is warm and durable and each hide is unique, showing the history of it's natural origins with every scar and bite mark. There is a belief amongst the general public that the more expensive the leather the better the quality must be, this isn't entirely accurate. Every hide that is tanned is the same quality. It's the cost of the various finishing processes and treatments that reflect in the final price. How Is Genuine Leather Made?
Once a hide arrives at the tannery it is soaked in chemicals which dissolves the hair follicles causing it to swell up in thickness. The hide is then split through with the hard wearing upper layers, which include the surface, removed to be used for upholstery leather. The preferred modern tanning process is to use chromium-based chemicals which has replaced the more traditional vegetable tanning process, which used plant extracts. After the hide is tanned and dried it is graded by size and the degree of blemishes and scarring, with the cleaner hides tending to be used for the more expensive leathers and the more scarred hides used for more corrected grain leathers. Speaking of which.
Once a hide arrives at the tannery it is soaked in chemicals which dissolves the hair follicles causing it to swell up in thickness. The hide is then split through with the hard wearing upper layers, which include the surface, removed to be used for upholstery leather. The preferred modern tanning process is to use chromium-based chemicals which has replaced the more traditional vegetable tanning process, which used plant extracts. After the hide is tanned and dried it is graded by size and the degree of blemishes and scarring, with the cleaner hides tending to be used for the more expensive leathers and the more scarred hides used for more corrected grain leathers. Speaking of which.Pigmented Leather
Starting with the cheapest and most durable leather, (that's how it works, really). Pigmented leather is the most commonly used in furniture upholstery including on our tub chairs. Using modern techniques a pigmented surface coating is applied and then embossed or printed to create an even and smooth finish that is resistant to soiling, staining, scuffing and fading. Due to the binder pigment that's applied during this process, it tends to be stain resistant and water-repellent as well.
Starting with the cheapest and most durable leather, (that's how it works, really). Pigmented leather is the most commonly used in furniture upholstery including on our tub chairs. Using modern techniques a pigmented surface coating is applied and then embossed or printed to create an even and smooth finish that is resistant to soiling, staining, scuffing and fading. Due to the binder pigment that's applied during this process, it tends to be stain resistant and water-repellent as well.Pigmented leather feels cooler and firmer to the touch than more expensive leathers, but is significantly easier to clean and care for as it is less sensitive, making it by far the easiest to maintain for those with small children or pets. Please note this doesn't make it childproof or petproof, just easier to maintain.
Semi-Aniline Leather
Semi-aniline Leather is more durable than aniline whilst 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 consistent colour and imparts some stain resistance. Semi-aniline leather is soft and warm and feels very natural due to the less intense coating and the absence of compression of the leather fibres by a strong embossing.
The protection on a semi-aniline leather is by no means as strong as a pigmented leather, but it makes a great compromise compared to an aniline leather.
Aniline Leather
Aniline leather is the most natural-looking leather, with the unique surface characteristics of the hide remaining visible and coloured only with soluble aniline dyes. A light non-pigment surface coating may be applied to enhance its appearance and offer some protection against spillages and soiling. The lack of a pigmented colour layer on the surface means that aniline leather feels the most natural, soft and warm to touch. The downside to that is that aniline leather can be porous and very sensitive.
Aniline leather is the most natural-looking leather, with the unique surface characteristics of the hide remaining visible and coloured only with soluble aniline dyes. A light non-pigment surface coating may be applied to enhance its appearance and offer some protection against spillages and soiling. The lack of a pigmented colour layer on the surface means that aniline leather feels the most natural, soft and warm to touch. The downside to that is that aniline leather can be porous and very sensitive.Aniline leather that is completely porous and without any finish is classed as a pure aniline leather or just pure aniline.
Pull-up leather is a popular aniline leather that is dyed in the drum to create deep, vibrant colors, it is then finished with a combination of oils and waxes giving the leather a lovely soft finish. Pull Up leathers are designed to become distressed looking through time and use. In places of heavy use, the oils will be pushed away leaving lighter areas - particularly on the seat and arms, marks, scratches, and signs of wear will show and a rich patina, or shine, will increase over time. This gives each piece of furniture it's own unique history, full of character. If you're looking for a leather that will change and age with use, then this is what you want.
Aniline leather whilst beautiful and soft, is susceptible to scratches and staining, due to these characteristics we wouldn't recommended Aniline Leather for households with small children and/or pets.
Pull-up leather is a popular aniline leather that is dyed in the drum to create deep, vibrant colors, it is then finished with a combination of oils and waxes giving the leather a lovely soft finish. Pull Up leathers are designed to become distressed looking through time and use. In places of heavy use, the oils will be pushed away leaving lighter areas - particularly on the seat and arms, marks, scratches, and signs of wear will show and a rich patina, or shine, will increase over time. This gives each piece of furniture it's own unique history, full of character. If you're looking for a leather that will change and age with use, then this is what you want. In Conclusion
Our genuine leather tub chairs tend to be upholstered in either pigmented leather, for those of you who are practically minded, or aniline pull up leathers, for those of you who want the real deal (so to speak) and don't mind paying the premium for it. Whichever leather you choose, know that all of our genuine leather tub chairs are made with love and care here in the UK using the finest sustainably sourced timber and leather hides. You can shop our genuine leather tub chairs here, we have a great selection to choose from.