Buying Leather

Buying a leather sofa is an important purchase. Leather has great benefits - it is generally one of the most durable and comfortable of all seating exteriors. What used to be very expensive is now much more affordable and high styled.

Educate yourself on the different kinds of leather and leather terminology. Below is a brief explanation of commonly used leather descriptions.

Bicast Leather: Split leather that has been covered with a polyurethane layer. Has a slick, shiny look, durable and easy to care for.

Aniline: The transparent dye used to color the leather all the way through. It conceals none of the natural character and markings.

Pure Aniline: A top grain leather that is aniline dyed and receives no additional coloring, but may include a protective treatment such as Scotchguard. Also called full aniline, naked aniline, or naked leather. Because of the transparency of the color, only the finest quality hides are used to create pure aniline dyed leather. Pure aniline dyed leathers are known for their soft, natural feel as well as their beauty, however aniline dyes offer little resistance to soil, stains or the effect of sunlight.

Semi-Aniline: Also called aniline plus or protected aniline. A top-grain leather that is aniline dyed and coated with matching pigment and/or other topical finishes to even out the color and protection. These offer increased resistance to soiling, staining, and sunlight, making the leather more practical for modern family lifestyles while still retaining much of the softness and natural characteristics of unfinished aniline dyed leather.

Corrected Grain: Leather that has been slightly buffed to remove some imperfections in the grain.

Embossing: The system by which a natural looking grain pattern is formed on certain leathers with pressure from an engraved plate. This can also add to the texture of the leather surface.

Full Grain: Top grain leather in its natural state. No corrections or alterations to the natural grain pattern.

Natural Markings: Common leather markings include shading variations, healed scratches, neck wrinkles, insect bites, barbed wire marks, stretch marks, vein marks and brands.

Leather Match: The use of matching vinyl instead of leather on areas of a frame less subject to body contact, typically the sides and back. A common cost saving measure, particularly in motion and reclining categories.

Split: The bottom layers of the hide that have been split off from the top-grain leather.

Top Grain: The uppermost layer of the hide.

Top Coat: A transparent protective coating applied to the leather surface. May also impart luster to the surface.

Olinde’s has the largest selection of leather in this area – most available for immediate delivery. Choose from promotional and luxury prime points and a variety of styles and colors.