Full Grain vs Top Grain Leather: Which one is best for your sofa?
Full grain leather is made from the top layer of cowhide and has not been sanded or buffed to remove any imperfections. This means that full grain leather has a natural look and feel, with variations in texture and color that are unique to each hide. Full grain leather is considered to be the highest quality leather available, as it is the most durable and has a rich, natural patina that develops over time.
Top grain leather, on the other hand, is made from the second layer of cowhide and has been sanded and buffed to remove imperfections and create a more uniform appearance. Top grain leather is still high-quality leather, but it has a more consistent texture and color than full grain leather. It is also less durable and doesn’t develop the rich patina as full grain leather does.
Full grain leather is generally more expensive than top grain leather due to its superior quality and durability.
There are several reasons why a customer may choose to invest in full grain leather over top grain leather:
Durability: Full grain leather is the most durable type of leather available, as it has not been sanded or buffed to remove any imperfections. This means that full grain leather is more resistant to wear and tear and will last longer than top grain leather.
Natural Look and Feel: Full grain leather is made from the top layer of cowhide and has a natural look and feel that is unique to each hide. This means that no two full grain leather sofas will look exactly the same, giving each one a unique and authentic appearance.
Develops a Rich Patina: Full grain leather develops a rich patina over time, which is a natural change in color and texture that occurs as the leather ages. This gives the sofa a lived-in, vintage look that is highly prized by many customers.
Eco-Friendly: Full grain leather is considered to be more eco-friendly than top grain leather as it doesn't need to go through a process to remove imperfections.
Quality: Full grain leather is the highest quality leather available, it is made from the best quality hides and is not subjected to any sort of modification.
While full grain leather may be more expensive than top grain leather, many customers feel that the investment is worth it for the superior quality and durability that it offers. Full grain leather sofas are often considered to be a long-term investment that can last for many years to come, as well as adds to the aesthetic appeal of the room.
The care guide for full grain and top grain leather is similar, but there are a few key differences that customers should be aware of:
Cleaning: Both full grain and top grain leather should be cleaned using a mild, pH-balanced leather cleaner. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, as these can damage the leather. You can also clean with a damp cloth and mild soap then dry with another one.
Conditioning: Both full grain and top grain leather should be conditioned regularly to keep the leather supple and prevent cracking. However, full grain leather may require more frequent conditioning due to its natural oils being removed during the tanning process.
Protection: Both full grain and top grain leather should be protected from direct sunlight and heat to prevent fading and cracking.
Avoid Excessive Moisture: Both leather types should be protected from excessive moisture, so try to avoid spilling liquids on the leather and keep it away from heat sources that can dry the leather out, such as fireplaces, radiators, and air conditioning vents.
One key difference between full grain and top grain leather is that full grain leather is more porous, so it may stain more easily than top grain leather. This can be mitigated by applying a protective coating to the leather, but it's important to remember that full grain leather may be more susceptible to staining.
Another difference is that top grain leather usually doesn't patina as much as full grain leather and also, doesn’t require as much conditioning.
Both full grain and top grain leather need regular cleaning and protection from sunlight, heat and moisture to maintain their appearance and longevity. Full grain leather may require more frequent conditioning and is more prone to staining, so it's important to be more cautious when using it.
The natural variations in color and texture found in full grain leather also make it unique, no two full grain leather sofas will look exactly the same, giving each one a unique and authentic appearance. This is a desirable trait for many customers looking for a natural look in their furniture. On the other hand, top grain leather has a more consistent look and feel, so it can be easier to match it to existing decor, depending on the customer's preference.
In summary, both full grain and top grain leather offer unique benefits and characteristics that make them a great choice for a leather sofa. Full grain leather is considered the highest quality leather available, and offers a natural look and feel, rich patina development, and great durability. While top grain leather offers a more consistent appearance, is still a durable option and can be a good match for customers that look for a uniform look and color.
When deciding between full grain and top grain leather, consider your personal preferences, the room decor, and how the sofa will be used. Also take into account that full grain leather may require more frequent conditioning, and may be more susceptible to staining.
Ultimately, both full grain and top grain leather are excellent options for a leather sofa. It all depends on your preferences and what you're looking for in a sofa. No matter what you choose, investing in a high-quality leather sofa is a smart decision that can last for many years to come.
Chesterfield 3 Seater Sofa displayed in Hand-finished Antique Red. One of the most popular upholstery coverings for our sofas, chairs, corner sofas, sofa beds, and footstools is leather. But with so many grains, coatings, and textures available, it can often become confusing as to which type would work best for your sofa.
But fear not, as we dispel much of the confusion about leathers in this comprehensive guide, helping you to choose the best leather sofa for your home.
We’ll cover:
• What is leather?
• How is upholstery leather made?
• What leather types are used for your furniture?
• Are leather sofas comfortable?
• Are leather sofas durable?
• Glossary of leather terms
Real leather is a natural product — it’s warm and durable, and has individual characteristics which make each hide unique. Leather will always bear the marks of its natural origin, and these qualities can show as scratches, growth marks, areas of differing fibre density, and hair pore structure. These characteristics in no way detract from the wearing qualities of the leather.
The curing of animal skins — a method commonly referred to as tanning — creates leather. The skins of cattle are known as hides, making up the majority of the leather used in the manufacture of upholstered furniture.
Many retailers classify leather by grades. This can cause some confusion with customers who are encouraged to think that the more expensive, or higher-grade leathers, are of a better quality. This is not necessarily the case as different types of leather can have their own merits.
Tanneries only produce one quality of tanned upholstery leather. It’s the cost of the various finishing processes applied after tanning that cause the leathers to have different prices.
As a result, when the time comes to choose a quality leather sofa, there’s an inevitable trade-off between appearance and ease of care. Leather is a great choice for both modern and traditional sofas, especially classic designs like the Chesterfield sofa.
Claridge 3 Seater Sofa displayed in Rustic Charcoal.
A cattle hide arrives at the tannery having been salted to preserve it. Then, it is soaked in chemicals which dissolve the hair follicles and cause it to swell to approximately 8mm in thickness. It’s then split through its thickness, and the upper layer with the hardwearing grain surface is separated off to be used for upholstery leather. The hide then undergoes a tanning process utilising chromium-based chemicals.
This technique is now the modern preferred method, replacing the traditional vegetable tanning process which uses plant extracts and urine.
Once tanned and dried, the hide is graded by size and degree of scarring and blemish. The ‘cleaner’ or less-scarred hides tend to be used for full-grain leathers, while hides with a degree of scarring are lightly buffed on their top surface and used to create corrected grains.
Regent 3 Seater Sofa displayed in Essential Style Leaf
There are a few different types of leather that are used for sofas and chairs. Pigmented leather is the most durable with a consistent surface appearance, while aniline leather is more natural looking, but less resistant to soiling. The third type, semi-aniline leather, is somewhere between on both counts. Below are more detailed descriptions of each type and their properties.
Pigmented leather is the most durable type and is used in the majority of furniture upholstery. The durability is provided by a polymer surface coating, which contains pigments. With modern technology, the coating can be finished to be embossed, printed, or plain. The surface coating allows a greater resistance to soiling, scuffing, and fading.
Aniline leather is the most natural-looking leather, with the unique surface characteristics of the animal hide remaining visible. Pure aniline leather is coloured only with dye, and not with any surface coating of polymer and pigment. A light non-pigment surface coating may be applied to enhance its appearance and offer some protection against spillages and soiling.
A degree of natural marks and shade variation should be expectedwith aniline leather: while this type of leather can be susceptible to the effects of sunlight and it also absorbs liquids more easily. Aniline leather sofas requires special maintenance to keep it in top condition.
Semi-aniline leather is more durable than aniline leather while 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 a more consistent colour and imparts an extra degree of protection to semi-aniline leather sofas.
Sloane 3 Seater Sofa in Rustic Brown Tail
Quality leather sofas have the attributes to be incredibly comfortable, especially when combined with supportive frames and soft cushioning. Here at Sofas by Saxon, our team puts a lot of care and effort into making sure each one of our sofas lives up to our high standards for comfort. You can look forward to many happy hours spent relaxing on your new sofa once it has been delivered. Take a look at our guide to choosing a comfortable sofa here for detailed advice.
Historically speaking, leather furniture has been used for hundreds of years in a great variety of situations where comfort is at a premium. There is a reason they are such a big favourite among therapists and psychologists, who want to make their patients feel safe and comfortable during their sessions.
Belgravia 3 Seater Sofa in Vogue Brilliant White
Yes, real leather sofas are some of the most durable around, and with the right care and treatment, they can last for a lifetime. Leather has an inherent water resistance, making it much easier to clean than fabric if you accidentally spill something. They also don’t accumulate much dust, so you won’t have to go to the effort of hoovering or dusting them as much as you would with other types of sofa upholstery.
Leather really comes into its own in its resistance against wear and tear. It is a naturally tough material that will hold up well to everyday use, but what’s more, any scuffs that it does pick up will add character.
Please be aware that dye from none colour fast clothing and garments can transfer onto leather/fabric and is usually more noticeable on light leather/fabric colours such as whites, creams and ivory. We also recommend to always check your labels on your clothing and garments for further information.
Grosvenor 3 Seater Sofa displayed in Heritage Saddle
The word grain is taken to mean the upper layer of the leather, though it is also used to describe the design of fine embossed lines which cover the surface of most finished leathers.
Full-grain leather — sometimes known as top-grain leather — is a type of leather where the topmost layer has been left untouched. In retaining its natural smooth surface, any natural scars or blemishes will remain as evidence of the hide’s origin.
This is a leather where the topmost surface has received a very fine buffing to reduce the appearance of any raised scars. It’s quite common for such a leather to then receive a fine embossed effect after finishing, which will help further mask the appearance of any scars.
Aniline leathers tend to use full-grain hides while pigmented leathers tend to use corrected grains. Semi anilines can use either.
After a hide is chemically treated, it is then put through a splitting machine, which slices it through its thickness. The topmost section, which contains the hardwearing outer skin or grain, is then used to make upholstery leather.
The under section or ‘split’ has no hard-wearing grain surface and has the appearance of having suede on both sides. This is used to make suede items. Some cheaper methods of leather production have been known to coat one side of a split with a heavy pigment coating to create an artificial grain surface. Whilst an acceptable appearance can sometimes result, the product will quickly fail under use and such material should be avoided.
Here at Sofas by Saxon, we do not use split leather on any of our furniture.
When it comes to ordering your quality leather sofa with us, it is important that you know we use only premium materials for its upholstery. These materials can be applied to any of our furniture, including our signature leather Chesterfield sofas, chairs, corner sofas, and sofa beds.
Our team have an incredibly keen eye for quality when it comes to all things leather, and they have inspected hundreds of different kinds from around the world before selecting the ones to offer to our customers. With a variety of pigmented, semi-aniline, and aniline leathers on offer, you’re bound to find the ideal type for your home.
The Sofas by Saxon leather collection contains over 70 types for you to choose from. We believe they are some of the finest and most on-trend materials on the market, with a variety of colours and textures available. Whether you’re looking for a black, blue, or grey Chesterfield sofa, or even something else, we will be able to create a leather piece to match your home’s décor. We are confident that they will look fantastic when upholstered on your furniture. You can order swatches of our leather through our sample service, to help you order the best leather sofa for your home.
If you would like more information about how to maintain your leather furniture, you should take a look at our leather care guide, which contains helpful instructions on how to keep your leather in great shape.
If you have any questions about any of the leathers that will be used for your leather furniture, please feel free to get in touch with a member of the Sofas by Saxon team – we’re always happy to help. Be sure to browse our sofa, chair, corner sofa, sofa bed, and footstool ranges to find your ideal design today.Be sure to browse our sofa, chair, corner sofa, sofa bed, and footstool ranges to find your ideal design today.
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