It will largely depend on personal preference when comparing these three different kinds of leather. How then can one determine whether a couch is made of genuine leather?
Genuine leather will feel flexible and soft, but it also has a grainy texture. Real leather can be stretched, but faux leather cannot.
How to Tell If a Couch is Real Leather?
There are a few ways to identify real leather in a couch. And it’s crucial to keep in mind that you must be able to verify each one of them.
It is not sufficient to ascertain just two or three of these factors because they all combine to prove that a piece of furniture is made of genuine leather.
Check the Label First
Although it’s the easiest way to tell if something is made of genuine leather, some people don’t even think to look. If you see the words “synthetic” or “polyester” on the label, that means the product isn’t made from real leather.
Do a Touch Test
If the leather is real or fake, you might be able to tell by touching the item. Smooth and almost plastic-like is how fake leather feels. Genuine leather will have a grainy feel and be soft and flexible. Not only that, but real leather can be stretched while faux leather cannot. Finally, genuine leather has a warm feel compared to fake leather’s cool one.
Do a Smell Test
If you’ve ever smelled real leather, whether it was on clothing or furniture, you know that it has a distinct aroma. The smell will always be present because it is a natural type of skin, regardless of how much the hide is processed.
Additionally, you can pretty much immediately tell the difference between genuine leather and imitation leather.
Fake leather and bonded leather both have a noticeable synthetic odor. This won’t taste particularly good; it will almost taste like glue and cheap plastic.
Top/full grain leather and the aroma of genuine leather are somewhat harder to distinguish from one another. The best way to put it is that better real leather has a stronger odor.
The aroma will be much more subdued in genuine leather.
Check the Upholstery Backing
This is a little trickier, and you might have to tilt a couch backwards.
What you need to do is locate a spot on the leather where you can see the upholstery’s back. It may be necessary to remove some staples or stitches, but it’s crucial to check to make sure the material is entirely made of leather.
A polyurethane backing will be present in bonded leather or synthetic leather. You can tell for sure you’re not dealing with genuine leather because these are synthetic fibers that give the manufactured upholstery structure and support.
Look for the Pores
The hides used to make furniture, jackets, and other items out of leather come from animals, so there will be visible pores on them. You’re dealing with faux leather if there are no visible pores.
Look for Imperfections
I’ll return to those flaws I mentioned earlier in my final point. Since the manufacturing process ensures that the outer grain layer isn’t altered, this is the most reliable way to determine if something is made of full-grain leather.
This implies that there will be natural hide markings like insect bites and scratches from fence posts and barbed wire. Fat wrinkles are yet another reliable sign.
Natural fat wrinkles appear in areas where the animal’s fat deposits slightly protrude. If you can’t find any fat wrinkles, either the cow was on a strict diet, or something is wrong.
Taking a Closer Look at Different Types of Leather
Then, I’ll demonstrate a few methods for identifying particular leather types.
Full Grain Leather
Three main steps must be taken in order to identify full grain leather.
First, feel the leather’s surface to see if you can feel the bumps in the hide. Since the processing protects the outer layer, full grain leather shouldn’t be entirely smooth.
Second, examine the characteristics and flaws of the grain in detail. Never allow the grain pattern to become monotonous or repetitive. Additionally, you should notice natural wrinkles forming when you press your finger into the leather.
Finally, since there is a thin coat of dye on semi-aniline leather, you should hardly be able to see any pores in the leather.
Top Grain Leather
The texture and surface bumps are the main indicators of top grain leather.
The outer layer is lightly sanded during the preparation process to create a softer and smoother surface. Along with that, some flaws are also eliminated, which ought to be apparent.
Check for bumps by running your fingers over the surface. Then use a magnifying glass to get a closer look to see if you can even make out any surface bumps.
Split Leather
There are a few ways to distinguish genuine leather from more expensive real leather types, though you may occasionally see this labeled as genuine leather upholstery.
The outer smooth grain layer is completely removed, so it will initially feel much rougher. However, what producers do next is frequently roll or spray a paint layer on top to give it an artifactually smooth feel and the grain’s visual texture.
But if you use a magnifying glass to examine it closely, you will see that what appears to be bumps and other flaws is actually just a clever paint combination.
Bonded Leather
The pulp from scraps of leather is used to create bonded leather. Although it’s a clever way to reuse discarded leather, you must realize that while it may smell like real leather, it won’t feel or last as long.
One of the telltale signs that you’re dealing with bonded leather is that, even though it may smell like leather, the glue or bonding agent gives off a slight synthetic odor.
The texture will also be completely uniform, which is another factor. While some manufacturers apply a grain effect, a close examination with a magnifying glass will reveal that they are not actual bumps and imperfections.
Last but not least, look underneath or at the back of the leather sofa to see if there is even a tiny bit of exposed upholstery backing. You can be sure you’re dealing with bonded leather if it’s synthetic.
Faux Leather
This faux leather is now being marketed as a vegan-friendly option by numerous furniture manufacturers. Even though it resembles bonded leather somewhat, this synthetic leather won’t hold up well for furniture.
The first thing you should look for is a complete absence of the alluring leather sofa odor. There’s a higher chance that you’ll detect a completely synthetic scent, such as the solvents used to make faux leather.
Additionally, looking at the backing of the upholstery should show a synthetic woven mesh intended to hold the upholstery together.
Have Your Homework Done before You Buy a Leather Sofa
You should always exercise caution unless you buy from a manufacturer who uses only the best leather or from a store with a very good reputation.
And in a world where salespeople will tell you exactly what you want to hear, knowing whether a sofa is made of real leather is crucial information.
To test your ability to distinguish between real and fake leather, try looking at your clothing and household furniture. A few surprises could even be found.
And if you’re looking for the best real leather furniture that is made in America, look through our selection. We have a team ready to assist you with any inquiries you might have.
Overall Thoughts
Unless you’re specifically looking for a vegan product, real leather is going to be your best bet. The best vegan leather alternative is PU/faux leather because it will last longer than bonded leather. PU leather is also less expensive than real leather, but it might not last as long. When it comes to price, bonded leather is the least expensive of the three, but if durability is your top priority, you might want to avoid it.
Make sure to take into account the many variations between the various types of leather when shopping for leather apparel or furniture. Determine what aspects of leather are most significant to you.
FAQs
How Can You Tell If a Couch is Leather Or Vinyl?
Before anything else, look at the labels. Be on the look out for terms such as “pleather” or “faux leather.” Genuine leather, on the other hand, will be designated as such. Next, look at the material’s grain. If the grain pattern repeats, vinyl or another synthetic material is most likely the source.
How Can I Tell If My Couch is Faux Or Leather?
Genuine leather will have a grainy feel and be soft and flexible. Real leather can be stretched, but faux leather cannot. Finally, genuine leather will feel warm to the touch while imitation leather will feel cool. Faux leather does not smell like oak; only leather does.
How Do I Know What Material My Couch Is?
In the center of the seating deck, typically close to the front edge of the sofa, search for tags sewn there. The sofa model number and the manufacturer are listed on the tag. It might also include numbers for the fabric and finish. Give the manufacturer the tag information and ask for assistance in determining the pattern.
