Leather Glossary

100 percent full top-grain leather is the most genuine type of leather that has not been altered beyond hair removal. It retains all of the original texture and markings of the original hide. One of the benefits of top-grain leather is it undergoes minimal treatments and is very durable. Top grain is stronger and higher in quality than split-grain leather because the outer layer is the most durable. A c.ub chair constructed of 100 percent full top-grain leather is the best you can buy.

Top-grain leather with splits means that the seat is constructed with top-grain leather and the sides and back are constructed with splits. A split refers to less flexible leather made from lower layers of a hide that have been split from upper layers. Split-grain leather is stiffer and less durable but still suitable for club chair areas that aren't seen prominently and need not be as flexible as the top. This is a more economical choice for those who desire a leather club chair.

Bicast leather is synthetic upholstery consisting of a thick polyurethane layer that is compressed until smooth. Also known as bycast leather, split leather, or PU leather, this material has grain and color in it. Found commonly in inexpensive furniture, bicast leather has a smooth, shiny finish.

Bonded leather is an artificial material that is 80 percent to 100 percent genuine leather fibers bonded with adhesive and pressed into flat sheets. Bonded leather is constructed into a fibrous mat to create a look and feel nearly if not identical to genuine leather. Like bycast leather, bonded leather is an affordable - and attractive - alternative to full-grain hides.

Vinyl is also known as faux leather. A form of plastic resin made from chlorine and ethylene, vinyl is ideal for stain-resistant club chairs. Its smooth surface and water-resistant properties make it easy to maintain.ﾠClub chairﾠbuyers with small children and pets often choose vinyl material for that reason alone.

Leather match is an economic alternative to full leather. It combines top-grain leather seats with skillfully matched vinyl on the sides and back of furniture. The vinyl is dyed to match the leather. Leather is reserved for the cushions or all places that come in contact with your body. Leather match club chairs are much more economical than top-grain leather recliners.

Full aniline leather dyeing is meant for top-of-the-line, full-grain hides that have few surface flaws. This dye, which soaks all the way through the leather, gives the initial color to a skin. Full aniline dye is preferred byﾠclub chairﾠusers because it will not show scratches to the leather, and it stays softer and more pliable than leather with other finishes.

Semi-aniline dye adds a matching topcoat of pigments and dyes to the surface of aniline-dyed hides to match the preference of those wanting the exact same color throughout an entire piece of furniture. To do that, a light top coating of highly distributed pigments and dyes is added to the aniline-dyed hide.

Pigment dye is a mixture of dye and dye and an opacifying agent, such as white oxide powders. The benefit of a colored pigment dye hide is that it's more uniform and fade-resistant.