Why is there such a large price difference for genuine leather sofas?

Genuine leather sofas are soft and comfortable against the skin, high-end, easy to clean, and easy to maintain. Choosing a genuine leather sofa represents quality and enjoyment. However, the price of genuine leather sofas on the market varies greatly. In high-end brand sofa stores, a genuine leather sofa can cost tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of yuan, while in ordinary furniture stores, a genuine leather sofa only sells for a few thousand yuan. What is the reason for this difference?

The material of genuine leather sofa

Leather sofas come in three types: synthetic leather sofas, semi-synthetic leather sofas, and full-leather sofas. As the name suggests, synthetic leather is artificially synthesized leather, a product made by foaming or coating basic chemical raw materials onto a textile or non-woven fabric base. Materials include PVC, PE, and the common PU leather. Synthetic leather's feel, elasticity, and breathability are far inferior to genuine leather, but it offers a wider variety of styles and textures, making it a popular alternative to genuine leather in sofas. This type of sofa is very common in the market; the parts in contact with the body are made of genuine leather, while other parts, such as the bottom and back, are made of synthetic leather. These sofas offer slightly better value for money and a higher quality feel than synthetic leather sofas. However, if the workmanship is poor, the seams between the genuine and synthetic leather can easily be exposed, significantly detracting from the overall aesthetic of the sofa. Genuine leather sofa manufacturers choose different materials during production, which affects the final quality of the sofa.

A true leather sofa is one where the entire exterior, except for the base, is made of genuine leather. Genuine leather sofas are of high quality, breathable, and elastic, especially the finest top-grain cowhide, which reigns supreme in comfort. Placing a genuine leather sofa in the living room elevates the overall style and ambiance of the space.

The quality of genuine leather sofas

Genuine leather is animal hide processed using specific techniques. Common types include cowhide, sheepskin, and horsehide. Even in high-end genuine leather sofas, the quality of the leather varies, with cowhide and buffalo hide being common choices. During leather processing, thick cowhide can be cut into multiple layers, resulting in the distinction between top-grain leather and split leather. This leads to the different grades of leather: top-grain leather is considered better than split leather; cowhide is considered better than buffalo hide.

Top-grain leather, also known as full-grain leather, is processed directly from the animal's original hide. It boasts high-quality leather with excellent elasticity, toughness, breathability, and durability. Split leather, also called semi-grain leather, is the lower layer of a thick hide after being cut into two layers. Because its fiber structure is looser, it tends to have more scratches and horsefly holes compared to full-grain leather. When producing genuine leather sofas, sofas made with top-grain cowhide are of the highest quality.

Compared to top-grain leather, it has slightly less tension and toughness, but it has good breathability, is relatively durable, and offers good texture and comfort. It's also cheaper than full-grain leather, making it a popular choice. Second-layer leather also includes cracked leather, which, after processing, has a thick waxy coating, resulting in a stiff texture and poor breathability, but without surface imperfections. This is also called waxed leather, and many ordinary leather sofas use this type of leather.