Is Leatherette the Perfect Upholstery Material?

FT NEWS

There has been an increase in demand for furniture upholstered in leatherette because of its close resemblance to the look of genuine leather. Leatherette is a synthetic material that comprises a fabric base laminated with a PU (polyurethane) or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) coating that simulates the look of real leather. It usually contains no animal products. Some kinds of imitation leather might use a base of split leather (the lower layer of animal hide) with a synthetic coating that mimics a leather surface. Leather, on the other hand, is processed animal skin. It is very expensive and is primarily used for luxurious high-end furniture. If you are looking for an alternative to leather upholstery, here’s what you need to know about the strengths and shortcomings of leatherette.

  • Pro: Available in various options

Leatherette can be easily dyed in any colour; it imparts a modern look to the furniture and can be made in any texture.

  • Pro: Does not fade

Leatherette is less susceptible to fading in the presence of UV light.

  • Pro: Easy to maintain

Leatherette is a non-porous material, which makes it waterproof; food or drink spillage is easily cleaned. Leatherette upholstery is easy to maintain – routine cleaning includes a quick wipe with a damp cloth. Also, leatherette does not allow accumulation of dust mites, pet dander, fur and other allergens.
These characteristics make leatherette ideal for furniture upholstery, especially if you have toddlers around or if your furniture is subjected to rough use.

Tip: Tough stains can be removed by wiping the upholstery with warm soapy water followed by a dry wipe. One can also rub the tough stains with a cotton swab.

  • Pro: Cost effective

Leatherette is reasonably priced and is a budget-friendly material. This makes it a highly affordable option compared to other upholstery materials such as genuine leather. Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish between high-quality leatherette and genuine leather.

  • Con: Limited durability

A drawback of leatherette is that it is not a very durable material and has an average lifespan that of 6 to 10 years, depending on the type of maintenance and usage.

Also, the top layer of leatherette has a tendency to crack or wrinkle and reveal the fabric, which gives the furniture a worn-out look after a length of time.

  • Con: Not biodegradable

Leatherette is a non-biodegradable material; it is made with PU or PVC, which are not environmentally friendly. Note that during the process of manufacturing, PVC releases dioxins along with other toxic emissions into the environment.

  • Con: Non-porous upholstery

Another negative is that since leatherette does not breathe, in warm weather it feels very sticky and causes sweating; it may feel uncomfortable in the hot Indian summers.

  • Con: Has a plastic look

Leatherette can have a slightly plastic and synthetic look, which is not appealing to some homeowners.

Your Message

Click here to post a Enquiry

Advertisement