Different Types of Leather

Skin of cattle like cow, sheep are mainly used for production of leather. Leather has a wide range of uses and is used for making clothes, upholstery and shoes.

Types of leather can be classified on the basis of the part of hide used as raw material for making the leather. Grain, with respect to leather, is referred to as the part of hide that is obtained by removing the hair. Grain can be split into two layers: top grain and split. Split has no content of the natural grain and is the lower layer of the natural grain obtained.

Full grain or Top grain Leather

Full grain leather is the leather that is formed just by removing the hair present on the epidermis of the hide. It is the most natural form of leather, since no polishing and finishing is done to the grain obtained. There are two methods of giving a finished touch to full grain leather, they are aniline and semi-aniline. In aniline finish the leather is dipped in a transparent dye that colors the leather uniformly, without loosing its natural effect. When an extra coating is given to prevent stain, it is called as semi-aniline finish. Full grain leather is the most expensive and good quality leather. This leather, being in its most natural form, is the most popular type of leather. It is much expensive and comfortable type of leather.

Split Leather

Split leather is leather made from the remaining part of the hide after the removal of the top grain. This leather is harder and cheaper than the full grain leather. Split leather is comparatively more fragile and gets easily damaged, if not handled properly. Split leathers are often used to produce suede leather.

Corrected grain Leather

Full grain leather, polished to remove or correct the scratches present on the grain is referred to, as corrected grain. The hides used in the corrected grain leather are of inferior quality. Semi-aniline and pigmented can be the two types of finishing techniques used for corrected grain leather. Most of the times, pigmented leather is preferred as it is better at correcting the scratches.

Nubuck/ Buffed / Suede Leather

It is formed by splitting the layer between the grain and the hide. The surface of this leather is buffed to create a soft layer. It is cheaper as compared to full grain leather. However, it is fragile in nature, as it quickly gets damaged, when it comes in contact with any liquid. Suede is not a good option to be used for upholstery. The surface of this type of leather has a velvet like feeling.

Bicast or Coated Leather

It is a synthetic type of split leather, that is made by applying a layer of polyurethane to the surface. This leather is more durable as compared to other types of leathers. Initially, this type of leather was used only in the shoe industry, but these days, because of its high durability and economic price, it is also used for upholstery in commercial places like bars.

Faux Leather

It is man made leather, and is durable because of the synthetic materials used. It is widely used in commercial places for the furniture, because it is the cheapest type of leather and does not get damaged soon, and looks like original leather.

All the different types of leather have their own characteristic look, feel and thus, are used for different purposes. Leather has always been in fashion as it looks classic and is durable.