Leather upholstery has 6 to 8 times more of the cost in the leather providing a much better value to the consumer. You get more for your money with leather upholstery. Hides from all over the world are used for upholstery leather, although European and American hides are generally considered of finest quality. The raw hides are preserved by salting and drying to prevent deterioration until the tanner is ready to convert the hides to leather. Hides travel the world and generally obtain their leather identity from the Country the hide is tanned in.
Leather is produced from the hides in two distinct phases, tanning and finishing.
The top grain layer is superior and the only layer suitable for quality furniture. The split layer is used in a variety of products, including inferior quality furniture. The top grain layer shows all the natural qualities of the leather and has the most strength from its tight cell structure. The split layers have a weaker, elongated cell structure subject to stretching and cracking. Once split, the raw hides are treated and stabilized to reduce perishability.