What is a top grain leather sofa?

What is a top grain leather sofa?
It’s time to get a new couch and you’ve decided you want to go with a leather sofa. Top-grain leather and full-grain leather are the two highest quality leathers, but how do you know which one is right for you? It comes down to three things –appearance, durability, and price.

Full-Grain Leather Sofas

Appearance – Full-grain is the most natural leather. It’s rustic and unique and best suited to things like accessories, equipment and other instances where you don’t need a uniform or smooth appearance.

Durability – Because full-grain isn’t altered or sanded, it doesn’t always stand up to life’s little messes. Stains can soak right in to the untreated leather and stay there.

Price – Full-grain is the most expensive leather. It’s not as flexible or easy to work with, so it’s more expensive to the manufacturer and subsequently, the consumer.

Top-Grain Leather Sofas

Appearance – Top-grain leather is made by sanding away the topmost part of the leather hide and imprinting it with a uniform imitation grain. Top-grain leather is considered the best for furniture, because it allows for a uniform look that’s still natural and authentic.
Durability – Top-grain is more durable than bonded and corrected leather. It can last for several years and the added top-layer can withstand large amounts of pressure, stains, and natural wear and tear.
Price – Top-grain leather is more expensive than “genuine” leather or “100 percent” leather, but it’s the leather to choose if you want a high-quality leather sofa. At Leather Expressions, we help by offering the best deals on the highest-rated top grain leather brands. Give our clearance section a look for the lowest prices we offer!

If you’re looking for a top-grain vs full-grain leather sofa, it can be hard to decide. For families with pets and children, top-grain leather keeps its high quality without compromising affordability. Leather Expressions specializes in top-grain leather. We are leather experts who are proud to offer top-grain leather sofas from only the best name brands. To see for yourself or for more information on top-grain vs full-grain leather sofas, visit our showroom in Colmar, PA, fill out our online form, or call 215-631-1500.

Just because the tag in the furniture store has the word "leather" on it does not mean a sofa's upholstery is a quality, all-natural material. Not all grades of leather, or terms with "leather" in the title, are created equally, which is why a bonded leather sofa is often far less expensive than top-grain leather.

Top Grain

Top-grain leather means leather that has been made from the top or outermost layer of cowhide. Full-grain leather is a top-grain leather that shows all its natural grain and is the most natural. If labeled as top-grain but not full-grain, the leather may be sanded or buffed out to reduce blemishes. It is not as processed as some other forms of leather, however. Top-grain leather is soft and shows natural character. A slightly lower quality top-grain leather is called corrected leather, which may be chemically treated or textured for a more uniform appearance. Corrected leather is durable but not as soft as standard top-grain leather.

Bonded Leather

"Bonded leather" indicates the material contains a small amount of leather in the material. This would be akin to using the term "wood" for pressed wood, which is made from sawdust and wood scraps combined with binding agents. Bonded leather is actually polyurethane on the exposed surface, followed by a thin layer of fabric with bits of leather scraps fused onto it. The inner fabric holds the structure together. Bonded leather is not as strong or as durable as true leather.

When trying to understand the difference between top-grain, bonded, suede, corrected-grain, genuine (learn about the difference in full grain leather vs genuine leather here), and full-grain leather, the topic can get quite confusing.

Confusion comes when a company tries to sell the benefits of the leather they use even though it may be an inferior approach for the specific product.

THE LIFE OF AN ANIMAL AFFECTS THE LEATHER

We will give it to you straight so you can make an informed choice.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that leather comes from an animal. (Although there have been developments in bioengineered, mushroom and cactus leather. See our article on the History of Leather.)

Animals live outside, rub up against fences, get bitten by bugs, fight with others in their herd, and roll around on the ground to scratch their backs.

When leather gets processed and the hair is removed, all evidence of an easy or rough life shows up as scars, scrapes, and general imperfections. Which, affect the quality grade of a hide.

We will start at the top of the chain when it comes to grading a hide, full-grain.

WHAT IS FULL-GRAIN LEATHER?

If the hide is a blemish-free hide, the very best (in our opinion) way to use the leather is full grain. Full-grain leather simply means that the hair is removed and the hide goes immediately into the tanning process.

Why do we feel this is the best way to use the hide?

All of the oil-absorbing properties and original characteristics of the leather remain intact. The leather will patina and endure over time.

Full-grain leather is stronger and more durable. A bag will get far more oohs and ahs after some years of use from this type of leather. We proudly use full-grain leather in every product that goes under the Mission Mercantile name, like our best-selling Ellington Market Tote, our Theodore Leather Backpack and our Campaign Waxed Canvas Large Duffle.

The leather has not been "corrected" (sanded or buffed) to remove any marks. The entire thickness of the skin is used.

Highest quality products like furniture, footwear and luggage tout full grain.

You may pay a little higher price for products made with full-grain leather, but the item will survive the rigors of age and travel much better than other grades. Great examples are our Theodore Leather Duffle, Theodore Leather Toiletry Bag and Heritage Leather Briefcase.

WHAT IS TOP-GRAIN LEATHER?

The second-highest-quality leather is top-grain leather. 

Is there a difference in top grain vs split grain leather?

This leather is probably the most used leather in handbags, where a pristine look is desired. The leather is named top grain because the very top layer is sanded, buffed or shaved off. Shaving off the top layer may also be referred to as splitting leather.

There are many reasons to split the leather. One being to remove surface imperfections and start with a fresh top surface for a variety of finishes to be applied. The result is a nicer looking ... yet weaker ... leather.

Another is to make the leather thinner and more workable for certain applications.

The stamping of textures and faux finishes of alligator, snake, and ostrich are often applied to cow hides prepared as top grain. This can also be considered “corrected-grain” leather.

Top-grain leather may still be appropriate for luxury goods.

But, know that the durability ... and the future patina of the leather ... has been compromised by removing the strongest, top most layer of the skin.

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Waxed Canvas vs. Leather
  • Genuine Leather vs. Bonded Leather
  • Cheap Leather vs. Quality Leather

Is top grain leather good quality?

Top-grain leather is a high-quality product. It is produced from the hide but the outermost layer is sanded off so that any imperfection or irregularities are removed. It's a durable product although not quite as tough as full-grain leather. However, it compares favorably to other types of leather.

Is top grain leather sofa good?

Top-grain leather is considered the best for furniture, because it allows for a uniform look that's still natural and authentic. Durability – Top-grain is more durable than bonded and corrected leather.

Is top grain better than genuine leather?

Top-grain leather has the second-highest leather quality of the high-end category of leather products. It is more pliable and thinner as its layer is separated away. Its surface is sanded, and a finish coat is added to make it less breathable with a plastic feel and this makes it seem cooler.

How long will a top grain leather sofa last?

Quality leather is a remarkably durable material that will offer many years of comfort. If taken care of, a top grain leather piece can last 10 to 15 years.