Genuine leather vs PU leather for furniture

What is PU leather and how is it different from real leather?

PU (polyurethane) leather is a manufactured material: a polymer layer, typically on a woven or knitted backing, embossed to look like leather. It contains no animal hide. Real leather is hide that has been tanned, which preserves it and gives it its strength and feel.

PU goes by many names, including faux leather, leatherette, artificial leather and often rexine in India. Real leather, as HideItalia puts it, has only one name. For HideItalia's wider comparison with fabric, rexine and vegan alternatives, read how leather compares to other options; this page goes deeper on buying and labelling.

How do they compare for comfort and durability?

Leather is breathable, so it adapts to hot, cold and humid weather. Plastic-based surfaces do not breathe, so they can feel warm and sticky in heat. In terms of durability, PU coatings tend to wear at the surface: they can crack and peel as the coating breaks down, and once they do the damage cannot be repaired the way leather can be.

Real leather, if properly tanned and maintained, is a long-lived material that tends to age gracefully; see leather attributes. HideItalia's experience is that rexine often starts cracking and peeling after a year or two, so the lower price may be a short-term saving.

Is PU leather cheaper over the life of a sofa?

The upfront price of PU is lower, but cost of ownership is what matters for furniture meant to last. If a PU sofa needs re-covering after a few years while a leather one keeps going, the comparison changes. Total cost depends on use, quality and care, so it is fair to compare lifespan as well as price. See the factors behind leather pricing in what determines the price of leather.

What do 'genuine leather', 'bonded leather' and 'vegan leather' mean?

These labels are a common source of confusion. They are used differently in different markets, so treat them as prompts for questions rather than guarantees.

• Genuine leather: in many markets this phrase is used for real leather of any grade, which can include lower layers of the hide. It does not on its own tell you the quality.
• Bonded leather: generally made from leather scraps combined with a binder and a surface coating, rather than a whole hide.
• Vegan or plant-based leather: marketing terms for non-animal materials. Many contain synthetic polymers, so ask for the actual composition.

What about the environmental argument?

HideItalia's position is that leather is a by-product of the meat industry, which gives utility to what would be waste, and that synthetic alternatives are plastic-based. This is a contested topic and the full picture involves tanning practices, transport and product lifespan. The sustainability page sets out HideItalia's view. Whatever you choose, longevity is a significant part of any environmental calculation, since a product that is replaced often has a larger footprint.

How can I tell which one I am buying?

Ask for the material composition in writing, look at the back of the material where possible, and buy from a source that can stand behind the claim. Our guide on how to tell real leather from fake lists practical checks. HideItalia supplies only Italian leather and issues partners the Original LeatherMark Card as proof of authenticity.

Frequently asked questions