We often get asked about “leather that won’t scratch.” While leather is the most durable upholstery material out there, the short answer to that query is, that doesn’t exist. Leather is skin, after all, and skin will get scratched. But if small surface marks will drive you absolutely bonkers, semi-aniline is the way to go.
Pros: Semi-aniline leathers will withstand a good amount of surface scratches and stains with a higher degree of protection, much like pigmented leather on a purse, or the leather on a car seat. Superficial marks and scratches from fingernails or a dog jumping on the sofa won’t appear at all. Semi-aniline leather also resists fading and is well-suited for commercial applications as well as busy households. This is a very low-maintenance leather.
Cons: If this protective finish is penetrated by a deep scratch, it cannot be restored or buffed out. Semi-aniline leather is a fantastically low-maintenance, affordable material, but it will often sacrifice authenticity, dimension, and the opportunity for the leather to develop an attractive patina over time. We like to say these semi-aniline leathers are “frozen in time” because they will not change. We encourage our customers to weigh what is the most important to them when considering semi-aniline vs. aniline leather.
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