Like most products, leather upholstery is available at many price points. However, this variation in price is a significant reflection of the quality of the product. As always, corners can be cut in construction--such as using no-sag springs instead of eight-way hand-tied springs--but these small construction differences cannot account entirely for the price variations. Rather, the price variations lie in the quality of the leather itself.
Obviously, the most important factor in determining the quality of leather upholstered furniture is determining the quality of the leather itself. You will often find that retailers advertise "All Leather" upholstery, but this is a misleading statement as leather is a generic term that refers to any tanned animal skin. The actual animal skin can be cow, buffalo, pig, etc., so it is not safe to assume that all leathers are created equal. Likewise, there are many methods of tanning and finishing available, so leathers can be remarkably different even if they are from the same animal species.
You will find that there is a tremendous difference in the appearance and texture of leathers from different animals. Cowhide is preferable for use in upholstery because it has the most desirable appearance and texture or "hand", which is a term often used to describe the feel of the leather. The grain of cowhide tends to be smooth, lending itself to a soft hand. Other animal hides are stiffer and coarser grained and, therefore, are not a desirable upholstery material. Often, inferior leather upholstery will be made of stiffer leathers such as a pig or water buffalo.
Now that you understand differences in leather obtained from different animals, you should know there can also be differences in the types of leather that are obtained from cows. The term cowhide refers to any leather made from cow skins, but there are variations in the quality of cowhides as well.
When a cowhide is processed, the skin is removed in one layer. Later at the tannery, the outer layer of skin is separated from the layers of skin. It is shaved off and is usually 3/64" thick, about the thickness of a coin. This outer layer of skin is referred to as the "top grain" and the other layers of skin are referred to as "split hides".
The top grain is best suited to upholstery because it is the strongest and most durable part of the hide, yet it is soft and supple. In fact, top grain becomes more supple over the years and develops a soft patina. If properly cared for, top grain leather upholstery should last indefinitely.
The split hides are coarser and stiffer and tend to crack more easily. The average wearing time of split hides is 5 years. Split hides are better suited to the garment industry to make shoes, handbags, belts, etc. which are not expected to last more than a season or two.
Cheaper leather upholstery is often made of split hides instead of top grain leather. Manufacturers often use split hides as they are cheaper per square foot, and they offer a greater product yield than top grain leather. Because it is the outside layer of skin, top grain leather tends to have more scars and surface blemishes than split hides. An average cowhide is approximately 50 to 55 square feet, but only 70% of this area can be used from a top grain hide. However, since split hides have fewer flaws than top grain, 90% or more of the hide is suitable for use; there is much less waste per hide, only 10% or less, and thus a much greater yield per square foot.
Obviously, the advantage of using split hides is the substantial savings in the cost of the leather; however, those savings are directly responsible for the poor quality and wearability of the leather. If you want leather upholstery that lasts, top grain leather is your best bet.
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