Is leather the best choice for your sofa or
sectional in Mexico? This is one
question my clients frequently ask me.
The short answer is that leather might be the right solution depending
on your specific situation. Are you
planning to rent out your home in Puerto Vallarta when you are not using
it? Do you have children or fur babies
that will also be using the furniture?
Should you decide that leather is the best option, it is essential to
know that leather comes in different types.
The type of leather you select is as important as whether you chose it
in the first place.

There are four generally accepted types of
leathers used for furniture covers.
These are full grain, top grain, genuine and bonded. When a cowhide is inserted into the splitting
machine, it is sliced into long layers.
The cutting blade separates the top (full grain and top grain) from the
bottom (genuine or split leather).

Full-grain leather is the most expensive
leather available. It is the outermost
layer of the hide and has the most variations in both markings and color. With full-grain leather, you can see the life
of the cow. If the cow pressed up
against a barbed-wire fence, bitten by horseflies or injured during its
lifetime, you would see the marks. You
can even see the veins of the cow in most full-grain leathers. This type of leather is the most
natural-looking with real character.
Full-grain leather does not go through much post-processing at the
tannery. That is why a full-grain
leather sofa or sectional is more prone to stains since liquids and oils are
more easily absorbed. This type of leather is also going to stretch, so if you
like a taut cover, this is not the best solution for your needs.

The other top layer is referred to as top
grain leather. This grade is much more
uniform since it is the split of hide under the skin’s top layer. Top grain leather is strong and more
consistent in coloring than the full-grain.
It is usually buffed, sanded and stained to create a uniform look. The pigmentation added to the top grain also
serves as a water repellant to the leather.
Liquid tends to bead on the surface and roll off. For that reason, we suggest the top grain
over the full-grain for most homeowners in Mexico, especially in our beachside
homes with humid climates.

The remaining two layers are split from the
bottom or inside of the hide. These
leathers are put through more manufacturing processes to make them ready for
use as furniture covers. It is correct
to say that genuine leather is real leather since it does come from the
cow. However, it is not considered
decadent like either of the two top grains (full grain and top grain) since it
is highly manipulated.

Bonded leather is a way that furniture
manufacturers provide a leather-look sofa or sectional at a low price. Without question, bonded leather is not a
recommended solution for your home in Mexico.
Smaller cuts or scraps of leather left over are fused with glue and
pressure to create bonded leather. If
the process and materials used are substandard, the sofa or sectional will look
amazing in the store but not much longer.
Many companies in Mexico and offshore manufacture sofas and sectionals
utilizing a process that emulates leather but is even worse than bonded
leather. In Mexico, it is referred to as
“tacto piel.” A spray is
applied to a cloth to appear like leather.
Sadly, many people have fallen prey to this scam, losing thousands of
dollars without recourse to get their money refunded.

It is crucial to buy leather furniture from
brand names you trust that use the right manufacturing processes. If it is time to replace your sofa or
sectional or have a new home in Puerto Vallarta, please contact me to help you
buy it right the first time. You have
worked hard for your money, and furniture is a big-ticket investment.

Questions about how to furnish a new condo
in Puerto Vallarta with items that will last and be comfy? Email me at
sa.novak@solutionsmexico.com.