What is the difference between genuine leather and PU leather furniture? This is definitely the confusion of many people before choosing the product. The following article will help you answer this question. These two types of leather also have many simple identification methods to help users easily identify through the appearance and scent of the product.
1. What is real leather?
Genuine leather is a very popular type of leather on the market today. Genuine leather is often used in high-end items. Some types of animal skin are used to make items such as sofas made from cowhide, wallets are made from pig skin, buffalo skin, etc. In addition, some other types such as young cowhide, horsehide, goatskin, fish skin crocodile, ostrich leather… used to make high-end products.
The greatness of real leather lies in the fact that it is very durable, soft, smooth and never has to worry about peeling or peeling.Genuine leather is often sanded to create a smooth, uniform leather texture, which can then be applied with a layer of paint to color the product or make the leather more shiny.
2. Popular types of genuine leather
Some popular types of genuine leather that are widely used today are cowhide, pighide, buffalohide, horsehide… Each type of leather will have typical characteristics suitable for specific types of furniture.
Cow leather sofas are the most popular thanks to advantages such as: high durability, cool feeling in summer and warmth in winter. In addition, there are some advantages to sofas made of cowhide such as luxurious design, no worries about the product getting old or fading…
In addition, another type of genuine leather that is also commonly used in sofa furniture is buffalo leather. Compared to cowhide, buffalo leather is harder but will have a slightly higher durability if tanned properly. These are two types of leather commonly used on the market today. There are also some other types, however the price will be higher and more difficult to find.
Although it has many advantages, however, genuine leather is increasingly not as popular as before because of its humanitarian nature, many organizations around the world are built to limit human necessities made from leather. animal skin.
3. Genuine leather interior
a. Advantages of genuine leather interior
On the market today, genuine leather furniture is very popular and popular, but this material also has its own advantages and disadvantages.
- The biggest advantage of this type of leather is its very high durability. Because the leather processing process is very careful, environmental harm to this material is almost avoided. The product will be less damaged, deformed…
- Another advantage of genuine leather is that it feels very smooth and airy. The longer you use it, the more beautiful and shiny the product becomes.
- Genuine leather also has high aesthetics, creating a luxurious feeling for furniture.
b. Disadvantages of genuine leather interior
- Although there are many advantages, genuine leather also has some disadvantages such as: high price and lack of recognition.
- A genuine leather sofa set usually has an average price twice as high as regular pu leather products. Because this is considered a huge obstacle for users.
- In addition, the use of genuine leather furniture has been condemned by many humanitarian organizations around the world. This is considered a material that is neither environmentally friendly nor progressive.
4. What is PU leather?
What is PU leather? This type of leather is very commonly used today. PU leather items range from furniture to everyday items. According to the basic definition, PU leather is an artificial material, also known as synthetic plastic, soft plastic leather, etc. Although PU leather is a faux leather material, in essence it is still a material. artificial synthesis. PU leather is also a type of Simili coated with Polyurethane (PU) plastic.
PU leather currently scores points with many outstanding advantages such as low price, quite durable, leather quality is also increasingly improved, bringing softness no less than real leather. To have a quality Pu leather surface, in addition to the surface being carefully treated, the lower part of the leather is also sewn with woven fabric.
Although there are many advantages, disadvantages of this type of leather also exist such as having a strong smell when first used and can cause a hot feeling when sitting for too long.
5. PU leather interior
a. Advantages of PU leather interior
PU leather furniture is commonly used for sofas, beds, car seats… This material also has its own characteristics.
- PU leather costs less than real leather because it is easier to produce.
- PU does not absorb water, making it easy to clean.
- 100% PU leather is non-toxic (vegan or suitable for religious people)
- PU leather can be made into many colors and styles.
- Unlike leather, PU leather does not dry out over time.
- Better for sustainability because it uses fewer resources to make.
b. Disadvantages of PU leather interior
- Can look fake and synthetic.
- Not as breathable as real leather, so it will be hotter.
- There may be a chemical or plastic smell.
- Wears easily over time and can crack, which means it doesn’t last as long as real leather.
- Can be punctured or torn easily unlike real leather.
- PU leather does not have the same luster as real leather over time.
- Not all PU leather is vegan (for the religious) as some contain residual genuine leather.
- Although it uses fewer resources to produce, plastic doesn’t decompose and isn’t the most environmentally friendly.
6. How to identify genuine leather sofas and PU leather furniture
a. Recognize skin odor
The most recognizable point between the two types of leather is the smell. If products made of genuine leather have the smell of animal fat, PU leather will have a stronger smell. This is also one of the reasons why genuine leather is more popular.
b. Observe the skin with your eyes
Another way to distinguish genuine leather from PU leather is to rely on the naked eye. Genuine leather products often have visible pores and uneven grain lines. While on PU leather products, it is very difficult to see the flaws and because it is industrial leather, the leather grain is very even and the color is quite glossy.
c. Wet the skin surface
Wetting the skin surface is also a fairly common test. One way that people often tell each other is to drop a few drops of water directly on the surface of the leather, leave it for about 2 minutes. If the water absorbs, it’s real leather, if it doesn’t, it’s PU leather.
With the waterproof characteristics and upper surface of PU leather, it is both an advantage and a disadvantage of this material.
d. Feel the surface
Just use your finger to press firmly on the leather. If there are dents around the pressing area and when you remove your hand, it is a genuine leather product. The elasticity of real leather is usually very good. On the contrary, if your impression is still intact after removing your hand, it is definitely a piece of industrial leather because the elasticity of these products is not high.
e. Skin color
Another feature that distinguishes these two types of leather depends on the color of the skin. Normally, real leather often has quite dark colors such as brown, black… While PU leather has a much more diverse and colorful color.
f. Recognize after a period of use
Another characteristic that makes genuine leather more popular is that interior products are very durable and have good elasticity. Normally, a genuine leather sofa set will have a shelf life of up to several decades. Meanwhile, PU leather can only be used for a few years. If you see that your product becomes shinier and softer the more you use it, it is real leather, while PU leather will easily peel and crack.
OkelaWood provides high-quality leather sofa products. We take pride in having a diverse selection of premium leather sofas on our website for you to explore and choose from. Please visit our website and make your best selection. Visit us at: OkelaWood.com
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