Pieces of furniture for sitting and lying down with a soft base covered with fabric appeared, by historical standards, recently: only 300 years ago . The prototype of a soft sofa can be considered a wide, low bench, covered with a blanket, with an abundance of pillows. This piece of furniture comes from the East and has a centuries-old history.
Upholstered furniture, which appeared at the end of the 17th century, was considered a luxury item and was available only to wealthy people. It was created by stuffing fabric covers with wool, down and horsehair. Expensive oriental fabrics, lace and embroidery were used.
Industrial production of consumer goods has set new accents. Upholstered furniture has lost its luxury status and is used everywhere. People approach purchases from a practical point of view: the main criteria are comfort and functionality.
What is the difference between artificial suede and natural one?
To learn how to distinguish artificial fabric from natural fabric, you should have an idea about them, as well as know what material options exist. Natural suede is leather that has been treated with fats. The fake material is made from fabric with suede pile, impregnated with glue.
Artificial suede is practically indistinguishable from natural leather in appearance.
A high-quality natural product has a soft, pleasant-to-touch pile. It has a high cost. This is due to the high costs of its production. Natural material can be determined by a number of criteria:
- porous structure;
- trace from stroking the fabric;
- soft touch;
- specific smell;
- there is no fabric on the reverse side;
- high price;
- quickly absorbs moisture.
This upholstery can give a stylish, noble and “expensive” look to furniture.
Being able to identify the differences between natural and artificial materials will help you save money. When buying furniture, focusing only on cost is not logical. An unscrupulous seller can pass off synthetic textiles as natural, and this will significantly increase the cost of the product as a whole. The artificial material is homogeneous in structure and smooth.
Many manufacturers call this material “new generation technology.”
On the reverse side of the product there is fabric. Touching the material does not leave a dark finger or hand mark. The smell is synthetic and pungent. Another simple way to distinguish a non-natural surface is water. Synthetic suede practically does not absorb moisture. All the characteristics inherent in a suede substitute will allow you not to overpay several times for a piece of furniture.
Reviews: 0
Pieces of furniture for sitting and lying down with a soft base covered with fabric appeared, by historical standards, recently: only 300 years ago . The prototype of a soft sofa can be considered a wide, low bench, covered with a blanket, with an abundance of pillows. This piece of furniture comes from the East and has a centuries-old history.
Upholstered furniture, which appeared at the end of the 17th century, was considered a luxury item and was available only to wealthy people. It was created by stuffing fabric covers with wool, down and horsehair. Expensive oriental fabrics, lace and embroidery were used.
Industrial production of consumer goods has set new accents. Upholstered furniture has lost its luxury status and is used everywhere. People approach purchases from a practical point of view: the main criteria are comfort and functionality.
Characteristics of artificial suede
The demand for artificial materials is driven by the struggle to increase the number of animals. Initially, the natural material was made from chamois leather. Later, the skin of deer, goats, sheep, and antelopes began to be used for production. But since the resulting material is expensive and its wear resistance is average, we began to think about how to reduce costs.
Faux suede is a unique combination of polyester and natural cotton.
A cheaper analogue was launched into production, which in turn became popular due to its wear resistance and high technical characteristics. Upon visual assessment, the material is no different from artificial. And in some features they even surpass it.
Convincing benefits
The material externally imitates natural suede, and in some characteristics surpasses it. It was developed in Japan in the second half of the last century, and since then has been in high demand in furniture production.
Recent developments include Teflon coating , which greatly improves the consumer characteristics of the material. Textiles on a non-woven basis are in demand for mass production due to their low price.
Furniture upholstery made from artificial suede has a number of advantages:
- Externally, it is practically no different from its natural analogue.
- Gives things an expensive, aristocratic look .
- The price of products with artificial upholstery is significantly lower than natural suede.
- A wide range of colors allows you to choose a sofa to suit any interior.
- High wear resistance and durability of the coating increases the service life of the furniture.
- The material impregnated with Teflon repels water, dust, dirt, does not deform during operation and does not accumulate static electricity.
- The coating does not fade in the sun thanks to durable dyes.
- The material drapes well, which allows the use of decorative elements in the upholstery.
- The fabric is breathable , considered environmentally friendly and safe for health.
- Similar to natural suede, the fibers of artificial upholstery change direction after contact . The advantage is dubious: you have to smooth the pile in the right direction after it touches the sofa.
- The coloring is uniform and uniform, unlike natural upholstery.
- There is no pattern of pores, scratches or other surface irregularities characteristic of natural material.
The listed characteristics meet the needs of buyers when purchasing a sofa for an apartment or office. Proper care will keep it looking respectable for a long time.
What is it made of, fabric composition
An analogue of natural suede has a simple composition, including:
- cotton;
- polyester;
- glue.
The material is perfect for upholstering any upholstered furniture.
The glue used is PVA based. After making the fabric, it is coated with Teflon. This provides protection from moisture and dirt. Processing provides additional opportunities - suede can be washed. The use of detergents does not affect the properties of the fabric. The only thing you should do after washing is tidy up the pile.
Take care of suede furniture.
A sofa made of artificial suede should be brushed after drying. If the fabric feels hard to the touch, this indicates that it has been laminated or glued. This procedure is performed in order to rid the material of bubbling. It also eliminates stretching of textiles and the formation of folds.
Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the sofa.
Reviews
Let's see what those who have already purchased and are using upholstered furniture with faux suede upholstery write.
- Ivan, 54 years old, Tambov: “I chose the furniture together with my wife. We wanted one that would last a long time, so that we wouldn’t have to buy another one, since we’re about to retire. Out of habit, we wanted to choose textile upholstery, but we were advised to use artificial suede, they said that it was much more durable. We quickly picked out the furniture on the same day and chose the color to match the room. Now we have been using it for 3 years. No complaints. In my opinion, she hasn’t even lost her color. Easy care. The sofas and armchairs are very soft and a pleasure to use. I think we made the right choice. I advise."
- Irina, 37 years old, Samara: “We bought a new apartment and decided to furnish it only with new furniture. Everything was purchased to order. We spent a long time thinking about upholstering upholstered furniture, but in the end we settled on faux suede. My friend has this upholstery and she is very happy. And now I'm happy too. The furniture looks chic, is very pleasant to touch, and does not fade. It doesn't even leave stains on it because it has a special Teflon treatment. I am pleased. I recommend".
What is faux suede called?
Non-natural suede is also called eco-suede. This is not quite the correct name, but manufacturers often use these words as synonyms. All eco-suede is an artificial material. But not everything artificial is eco-friendly. It is understood that if materials that do not harm the environment were used to produce the fabric, then the material is eco-friendly.
This type of material is much easier to care for than its woven counterpart.
All other products are correctly called non-natural suede elements. The material used for upholstery can also be called Alcantara. Some manufacturers may present this as a new product among upholstery products. But in essence, this is ordinary synthetic suede. Therefore, you should pay attention not to the name of the material, but to the method of its manufacture, type.
Fabric care
In order for upholstered furniture to serve its intended life, you need to follow some recommendations. For example, it is important to know that this fabric does not like moisture, however, if the upholstery is Teflon-impregnated, it can even be washed. Thanks to her, nothing will happen to the product. After washing, all that remains is to dry the material, and the artificial upholstery will regain its appearance. You can restore the pile with a brush by simply combing the product.
There are also laminated upholstery options on the market, which are made by hot gluing polyester to cotton. This fabric is distinguished by its rigidity and strength. It will not wrinkle or stretch. The material looks cold, so it is usually used in offices or commercial spaces. Such furniture has a rigid, clear shape. It is very easy to care for; you only need to occasionally wipe it with a cleaning agent or vacuum it.
Types of material
Among the types of manufacturing, 2 types of varieties can be distinguished:
- woven;
- non-woven
The woven material is very tear-resistant anywhere in upholstered furniture.
Both types look no worse than similar non-synthetic material. A piece of furniture such as a suede sofa requires attention and proper care. In the case of artificial upholstery, everything is simpler.
Woven method
This type is not very practical for upholstery. More often, such textiles are used for the production and design of clothing and shoes. Covers are made from it for sofas and armchairs, which perfectly cope with the functions assigned to them. The principle of production of woven covering is splitting microfiber threads.
The sofa upholstery does not stretch or deform during use.
At first, the appearance of the product looks respectable, but it quickly loses its properties. The quality of the woven product can be improved by increasing the microfiber processing time. During the work process, the fibers turn out to be of different lengths. The longer the manufacturer carries out the operation, the higher the quality of the suede obtained.
Non-woven method
Non-woven material is obtained by applying an adhesive composition to a specially prepared surface. After applying the layer, the fiber is sprayed. If Teflon is added at the same time, the resulting material is much stronger.
Suede for fabric-based furniture is more valued.
For the base, synthetics and knitwear are used. It must be primed so that the glue can be applied in an even layer. The Teflon coating can also be applied after the pile has been sprayed. But this must be done without fail, since this is the main way to protect the coating from moisture and dirt.
Clothes for the sofa
An important component of sofas and armchairs is upholstery material . The appearance of the product, service life and mood of the purchaser depend on it. The right upholstery allows your new sofa to blend in with the rest of the room.
The choice of textiles for decorating products is extensive: leather, silk, velvet, tapestry. These are natural fabrics, expensive and not very practical. They were replaced in the last century by universal synthetics, which are made without a loom.
The method involves gluing small fibers onto a base . It, like all the most interesting things, was invented in China at the beginning of the first millennium. Since then it has undergone significant changes, but the principle remains the same. Textiles produced by this method are called flock.
Using advanced methods, types of flocks have been created that imitate leather, suede, velor, and velvet. The properties of upholstery fabrics - strength, beauty, softness - are preserved. The price is significantly lower due to low-cost production.
Modern trends in furniture manufacturing are met by a new direction in upholstery materials - artificial suede . It creates a feeling of comfort, luxury and coziness, without requiring significant material investments.
Tips for choosing
Artificial raw materials are becoming increasingly popular. Since manufacturers can be tricky with furniture upholstery, you should be able to choose the right product from it. Synthetic suede stands out among natural textiles. First of all, it's the price. For the buyer, the cost of the furniture and its appearance are important. Material costs determine the price of furniture. When the main criteria are determined: type and cost, you should make sure that the material chosen is of high quality.
Choose quality suede if you have animals in your home.
If the choice is made in the direction of artificial suede, then you should know that it is produced in different ways. The quality of the material and its service life depend on this. A product made without complying with all production requirements will quickly lose its appearance. It is important to pay attention to the thickness of the material. The higher the density of the textile, the longer the piece of furniture will last. But at the same time, you should not choose too thick fabrics, since a suede sofa will look rough.
According to the texture, three types can be distinguished:
- porous;
- smooth;
- with perforation.
If the fabric has unevenness, it looks like genuine leather. The material easily allows moisture and air to pass through. Smooth coating is characterized by low cost, but it requires careful maintenance. The coating is often chosen based on the traffic flow of the room. The smooth coating is easy to clean.
There are many colors of suede available today.
Embossing looks expensive, but it is better to place a sofa with such upholstery in an office or library. The choice of color does not affect the quality of the product in any way. Therefore, there are quite a lot of options. The color should be decided on the basis of the overall interior of the room where the sofa will be located.
Minuses
Let us now find out what disadvantages this upholstery material has.
Although suede is resistant to mechanical stress, it will not withstand too much friction or sharp claws of an animal.
The material, especially if it is light, will quickly get dirty. This is doubly true if there are animals and children in the house. Maintaining cleanliness in this case will not be easy, but a removable cover that can be cleaned will help out.
Artificial suede does not tolerate high humidity. Such furniture cannot be washed or cleaned with a damp cloth. Only the dry method, and a delicate one at that.
Grease stains that appear on the upholstery can only be removed by dry cleaning. Wet cleaning, even if done right away, will only make unsightly stains even larger.
Furniture velor is also used for upholstery (more details here). Microfiber is widely used. Follow the link to find the microfiber composition. See photos of European covers for upholstered furniture. Egida furniture fabrics are in demand.
Use Cases
Most often, consumers choose suede as upholstery for furniture. If the sofa or chair in the room has lost its appearance, but the structure is strong and can be used, you can reupholster it. Today, performing such a procedure is easier and cheaper than purchasing new interior items.
Unique strength characteristics make furniture with such upholstery very durable.
In a textile store you can choose the appropriate fabric option. Many buyers believe that choosing material in a store is easier and more reliable than choosing a finished structure. The store provides the opportunity not only to examine the fabric from the front and back layers, but also to consult with the manager.
This fabric has much more advantages than disadvantages.
If you are purchasing a sofa, you should ask the seller to demonstrate the material. Typically, manufacturers attach a piece of fabric to the inside of the structure. And if you don’t focus attention on this, then consultants may simply remain silent about this feature.
When coated with a special impregnation, furniture suede becomes less dirty.
Faux suede is often used by shoemakers who specialize in handmade shoes. High-quality material will be in no way inferior in characteristics to natural material, while the cost of shoes and sneakers can be significantly reduced. The same parameters can be applied to the production of clothing.
Light suede requires special care.
Textiles easily show themselves in work. It is easy for the cutter to work with it. With proper care, a jacket or jacket will serve its owner for a very long time. Suede can be used as a decorative element. They can partially repair furniture and give old furniture a new look.
pros
Let's consider the “strengths” of this upholstery material.
Artificial suede has the special advantage that this material is very durable and wear-resistant. If you treat the furniture carefully, it will serve without complaints for many years, remaining outwardly presentable all this time.
This is a very durable material. Artificial suede is very difficult to tear, stretch, or otherwise deform mechanically. Unique strength characteristics make furniture with such upholstery very durable.
In addition to direct mechanical impact, artificial suede is also resistant to UV radiation and other negative factors. It does not fade, does not fade, and does not lose its decorative and technical characteristics due to humidity or cold in the house.
On video - artificial suede for furniture:
Faux suede does not wear out over time, which is very important. Many have observed how sofas upholstered in textile materials become “bald” and worn out over the years. This will not happen with a sofa upholstered in faux suede. Even after several years of active use, it will not lose its external presentability.
The material is very pleasant to the touch and evokes the most positive tactile sensations. Suede is warm and does not cool you down. The material has a unique feature: in the summer, in the heat, it cools a little, and in the cool season, on the contrary, it causes a feeling of warmth. This feature makes faux suede upholstery a comfortable and pleasant material.
The velvety surface of such furniture immediately and firmly wins the hearts of buyers. Moreover, faux suede also has an iridescent texture that plays beautifully in the light. The shine of suede is soft and noble, does not blind, but brings comfort.
Furniture upholstery made from faux suede looks good both in the home and in the office, it is universally practical and appropriate.
Furniture upholstered with this material takes on a noble, aristocratic and “expensive” appearance. Faux suede adds status to even the simplest sofa design.
Today there are so many options for colors, textures and patterns that you can easily choose the right one for any interior.
Although artificial suede is a rather capricious material, it does not require excessive care. It is enough just to periodically vacuum the sofa and wipe it with a dry sponge and a suitable cleaning agent.
Attention: when purchasing, pay attention to the height of the suede pile. The longer the pile, the less wear resistance it has. And vice versa. The most durable is short pile.
More advantages:
- The material is very elegant, indicating the subtle taste of the owner.
- Artificial suede, despite its not entirely natural origin, is perfectly breathable. The furniture breathes, which ensures an optimal microclimate in the room.
- Suede, including artificial suede, is a very warm material that creates a feeling of coziness and comfort in the room.
- The material is immune to static electricity.
Flock fabric is often used for furniture upholstery.
You can also try arben fabrics.
The link describes the fabrics instroy: .
Care instructions
In order for a suede product to last a long time, it needs to be properly cared for. Whatever properties suede has, it should be remembered that it is fabric. She tends to get dirty. This especially applies to light shades. Eco-materials are easy to care for, but they should not be exposed to aggressive agents.
Suede upholstery will be much more difficult to clean.
If we are talking about curtains, curtains, then they can be washed. This procedure must be performed manually. Machine washing involves mechanical stress that the material may not withstand. The ideal mode would be hand washing, without twisting. Products after washing must be placed on hangers. Proper and careful care will extend the life of the suede product.
Harsh household products are not suitable for cleaning a suede sofa.
It is necessary to avoid the appearance of greasy stains on the surfaces of such fabrics. They eat into the product and are impossible to remove. For this reason, sofas, chairs, and other products made of artificial suede are not installed in the kitchen. If a greasy formation does appear on the fabric, then the only option is to remove this section of the coating and replace it with a new piece of material.
Manufacturers recommend dry cleaning only for suede products. Various designs, items of clothing, shoes, furniture that contain inserts, or are entirely made of artificial suede, are accompanied by instructions. You can ask the seller for care recommendations.
Since it is difficult to independently determine the method of making the material, it is necessary to take advice from manufacturers. They know the type with which the product is made, which means the instructions for caring for the fabric will be correct. With proper care, the fabric will remain in its original form long after purchase.
A little negative
Any phenomenon or object has two sides, no matter how banal it may sound. However, the best fabric has disadvantages that should not be neglected when purchasing. To avoid disappointment after purchasing furniture with suede upholstery, it is better to study the negative properties of the material in advance:
- High strength does not exclude the possibility of damage due to significant mechanical impact.
- The material may not withstand animal claws and children's drawings with a felt-tip pen . Although high-grade fabrics are used, which are not afraid of either one or the other. The downside is that the price of the product increases significantly.
- The light-colored coating is subject to noticeable dirt . However, this is typical not only for suede. In this case, a removable cover is the way out.
- In the absence of Teflon protection, wet cleaning is contraindicated . Only dry methods are allowed, for example, a vacuum cleaner. The advantage is that now protective coatings are present even in inexpensive samples.
- Removing stains requires special attention . It is better not to do this on your own, especially with the use of alcohol-based products: the adhesive layer may dissolve and the pile will fall off.
In any case, the list of positive characteristics outweighs the negative ones. Such furniture upholstery undoubtedly deserves attention.
