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Fun Box
The largest selection of teather seating available in Southern California. Stock or custom, we have your solution.
When you are looking for leather furniture, these are some of the things that you should take into consideration.
Quality
The quality of the leather used is of the utmost importance. Leather is an expensive material and manufactures have taken to splitting the cowhides that they use in half, thus doubling the amount of leather from one hide. Both sides of a cowhide are not created equal. The bottom portion of the hide can be finished to look like top grain, but because of it's fibre structure it does not allow air to circulate, so it will be cold to sit on and can retain odours.
Finishes
The finishes used to make it look like top grain also make it stiffer. Look for leather that is soft, pliable and neither hot nor cold, as it should assume your body temperature. In order to reduce costs, some manufactures will offer models that have top grain in the places that can be seen and split leather on the back and sides of the furniture. Beware of cushions that have split leather or even vinyl on the underside, as you will want to be able to flip them to reduce wear.
Tanning
The way the leather has been finished is also important. Aniline leather is made from hides that have been dipped in dye. Since leather adsorbs dye unevenly, variations in color can occur. It allows the scratches and scars on the hide to show through. Pigment protected leather is dyed in a process that is similar to painting. The colour is more uniform, as it hides some of the natural blemishes, but is cooler to the touch. This leather is more resistant to stains and fading and is more durable for everyday use. Semi-aniline combines aniline with pigment to increase soil resistance, while retaining the natural look and softness of the leather. Nubuck leather is dyed leather that has been machine brushed to form a velvet like texture, it is not as durable as the other finishes.
Longevity
Leather furniture is going to last as much as three times longer than fabric covered furniture, so the frame construction must be structurally sound. Look for solid hardwood or steel frames, as these will stand the test of time. To prevent the drying out and fading of the leather, furniture should not be placed in direct sunlight or within two feet of heat sources such as vents or radiators.
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