Bicast leather:
Did you know that in some countries the use of the term “leather” in relation to the bicast treatment, is not permitted?
The United Kingdom and New Zealand have considered the use of “leather” in this regard as a misrepresentation of “genuine leather” and I totally agree since it is indeed true that many retailers claim to be selling “genuine leather” products (be it belts, furniture, shoes or many other products) but in essence it is indeed bicast or bonded leather and not “genuine leather” as most buyers/users understands the term genuine leather.
Bicast leather is a split leather which has a layer of polyurethane applied to its surface and then embossed. Split leather is obtained when the original top-grain of the rawhide is separated from the hide. Modern technology allows for up to three or four layers being cut from a single hide. This thin leather that is then used for backing in Bicast leather is normally worthless and contributes nothing to the end products look or feel. If this split leather then has an artificial polyurethane layer attached or applied to its surface and embossed to have a “rawhide leather like” look it is then indeed Bicast “leather”.
Bicast leather was originally made for use in shoe manufacturing but has recently being implemented in furniture manufacturing because of its cost compared to top grain genuine leather. Since the embossed polyurethane layer has an artificially consistent texture it is much easier to clean and maintain and therefore a very practical solution to genuine leather. Bicast leather have none of the characteristics of genuine leather, will not shine like it or have the suppleness thereof and will not “improve with age”. With constant use rather, the polyurethane layer will crack and then break free from its split leather backing.
Bonded leather:
The best description of Bonded leather that i came across was describing it as being the difference between minced meat and steak. The lesser of value pieces after a hide has being trimmed or the "left over" is ground and thereafter pressed together and adhered to other pieces of leather with glue or a bonding agent. Bonded leather is sometimes also called reconstituted leather and is an alternative to genuine leather which is a whole or pieces of animal hide. A common use of Bonded leather is in the manufacturing of belts and it must be noted that if one should bend a Bonded leather belt it will in fact crack or break.
Bonded leather and artificial leather or synthetic leather should never be confused with each other. Some Bonded leather products may contain 100 percent leather and in Bonded leather upholstery the leather content could be as little as 17 percent. The difference between bonded leather and genuine leather, in terms of quality and looks, could sometimes be hard to see. If it is was done properly, the grain and texture of bonded leather look very similar to that of genuine leather. In certain instances, the only different may be that the texture of the bonded leather may not be quite as pronounced as that of natural-grained genuine leather. The function, smell, and overall appearance remain much the same, however. Finally the major difference between genuine and bonded leather is the cost thereof.
So if you intend spending hard earned money on a classic “genuine leather” lounge suite or couch, be sure of what you are actually buying.
At Fashion Furniture though, you can buy with confidence as we clearly indicate when a product is in fact manufactured with Bicast, Bonded or Genuine Leather.
