We can classify
the leather in 3 categories:
Aniline/Semi-aniline
Pigmented (protected)
Nubuck/Suede
 |
| Analine leather on the left / Pigmented leather on right |
1- Aniline/Semi-aniline
leather is the
most natural looking but it will mark very easily as very absorbent. Aniline
leather is coloured only with dye.
2- Pigmented
leather is the
most durable and easier to maintain as it is cover with a polymer coating with
contain pigment. (Leather car seats are usually pigmented)
Clients
that have pets or children asked us what leather to buy? Which one would be easier
to clean and maintain? Aniline leather is the most difficult leather to
maintain as any spillages will penetrate directly into the leather! Unfortunately it is almost impossible to
remove marks from aniline leather! (Please note that water will also mark)
The
surface coating of pigmented leather will have more resistance to scuffing or
fading. The surface coating will also vary in thickness and if it is more than
0.15mm the item cannot be sold as real leather in the UK due to consumer
protection legislation.
3- Nubuck/Suede
This leather has been buffed or brushed to create a nap which
gives it a feel of velvet. This process significantly increase the leather
fibres exposed on the surface. They are both "fuzzy" in appearance.
Suede is the interior split of the hide. It clearly shows
individual soft and reliant fibres.
Nubuck is the sanded outer side of the hide. It has fine, velvety
and short fibres.
When you
buy a leather sofa how to tell if you are buying aniline or pigmented leather
sofa?
Training
and experience is key but you can guess by looking at the leather but more
importantly by touching/feeling it.
Aniline
leather will feel like real skin – very light and flexible - whilst pigmented leather
can feel rather like plastic and look like plastic. Aniline leather will show
the creases more because they have not been filled out by a surface coating. On
pigmented leather, the grain has been covered by the pigment so the crease won’t
be so visible.
We can restore your leather so please give us a call on 01223 863 632 and we can arrange to come and have a look.
We can restore your leather so please give us a call on 01223 863 632 and we can arrange to come and have a look.
