When buying leather goods, you hear a lot about natural and protected leather, but what is the difference? Knowing the differences will help you decide on what type of leather is best for you. There are variations of natural leather that are often referred to as aniline leather in the furniture industry. Protected leather is a little different because of the protective finish that is applied to make it more durable. The following leather guide will help you better understand the differences between natural and protected leathers:
Natural leather
Natural aniline leather materials—The first option that you have for leather furniture is natural leather materials. Aniline leather finishes that have few dyes and a natural finish, which make them ideal for premium luxury furniture. The benefits of purchasing natural aniline leather include:
- Unique animal hides to choose from
- Natural durable textures for attractive furnishings
- Color tones of natural leather are more attractive with age
Choosing the right aniline leather furniture can give you natural leather that looks great. It is better to use natural leather furniture in a home without small children and in areas that get less traffic to avoid wear and damage. These materials are durable and cured naturally to create durable natural leather furniture. The natural aniline leathers are elegant furniture choices for luxurious interior designs and give you unique choices for the type of hide that is used. Since these materials are more vulnerable to wear and damage, choosing thicker, more durable hide, such as cowhide will ensure your furniture lasts
Natural leather with semi-aniline finishes—In addition to natural aniline leathers, there are also semi-aniline leathers. These are natural leathers with fewer dyes and minimal curing to make the materials more attractive and durable. If you want elegant furniture that is durable enough for your living room, semi-aniline leather is a good option for these pieces. These materials have a more natural appearance but are dyed and cured to bring out certain aspects of different types of animal hide. The natural semi-aniline leather gives you more options for colors and tones that work better with interior designs than some of the other options.
Protected leather
Dyed or pigmented leather with protective finishes—The next option for leather is cured, dyed, and protected leather. This furniture is made of leather that is cured with special chemicals that dye the leather and cure it with a protective finish. These dyed leather materials are protected with a special treatment that gives the color, texture, and durable finish. These pigments can give leather furniture attractive, bright colors for unique furniture for interior designs. The dyed protected leather can also have a finish or smooth texture that provides more protection from damage, stains, and wear. The protective leather will also be less likely to discolor as it ages, which is common with some natural leathers.
Protected leather finishes that are resistant to stains and wear—Protected leather can be more than just colored and dyed materials. They can also be solutions for more durable leather furniture that is dyed with natural tones and colored. This type of protected leather is great for furniture in homes with a larger family or wear; you need more durable leather materials to reduce problems with wear and damage. These materials are durable and designed to last with property care. These are great leather materials if you want the natural look of aniline leathers, but the durability of protected leather options.
These basic differences between natural and protected leathers will give you the right information to choose your furniture. Contact us at our furniture store in Fort Myers to get the furniture for your home or business that has a perfect leather finish.
