Leather is a beautiful option for areas such as yacht interiors, summer homes, and beach-side resorts. Create beautiful spaces worry-free with waterproof leather. Here are some helpful tips to help you select the best option.
Waterproof Leather vs Vinyl
There is no reason to shy away from using leather, especially waterproof leather, for spaces that are subject to the elements. Leather is an excellent textile to use for multiple applications, including outdoor use. While vinyl is a low-cost option, it may not always be the best solution. Below is a side-by-side comparison of leather vs vinyl.
Leather offers superior durability, flexibility, softness, and comfort. Furthermore, leather typically outlasts vinyl and fabrics. Therefore, it is a more cost-effective option in the long run. Now that we’ve established the benefits of using leather over vinyl, let’s discuss water resistance.
Water Resistant vs Waterproof Leather
Leather is a natural, porous material. After tanning, semi-aniline leather receives a protective, water-resistant finish. Semi-aniline leather is water resistant and provides extra protection against spills. The finish provides a barrier against liquid absorption. Semi-aniline leather offers superior durability and does not require any additional treatment. Liquid spills will puddle on top of the surface. Simply blot spills immediately with a dry, clean cloth. If left unattended, over time the spill will eventually seep through the tiny pores of the leather. Most woven fabrics, in comparison, absorb spills immediately upon contact.
Waterproof leather, on the other hand, protects against spills regardless of how long the spill sits on the surface. Torino is waterproof leather that does not require any additional topical treatment or spray. It offers superior durability, flexibility, softness, and comfort compared to faux leather and fabric alternatives. How can we be sure Torino is waterproof? Because we tested it.To demonstrate our waterproof leather, we suspended a piece of Torino leather over a fishbowl and poured water on the surface of the leather. Over the course of three full days, none of the water penetrated the leather. In addition, we sent Torino to laboratories to perform official industry tests to measure its water resistance.
Water on the surface of Torino Regatta
Industry Test Methods for Waterproof Leather
Two industry tests that we used are Dynamic Water Absorption and Water Resistance Hydrostatic Pressure Test. Both of these tests provide quantitative data and gives customers peace-of-mind when seeking true waterproof protection.
First, we used is The Dynamic Water Absorption test. This test measures the amount of liquid that a piece of fabric absorbs when submerged in water. For this test, a piece of Torino leather was cut to a certain size and weighed. Then it was placed in a stainless steel canister with 50 cc of distilled water and tumbled for 40 minutes. The piece of leather was removed from the canister and weighed again. The results showed that the leather absorbed less than 2% of the water. As a point of reference, generally, military glove specifications require leathers tested using this method to have less than 30% water absorption.
Second, we used theStatic Column Water Resistance Test. For this test, a column of water is placed on top of the leather. The results indicate the amount of water pressure at which the water begins to seep through the leather. The recorded water pressure is measured in millimeters or centimeters. The higher the rating, the better the water resistance. The results for Torino are 150+ cm. The + means that the result exceeded the capacity of the instrument used.
New Colors
Due to popular demand, we recently added 13 new colors to our Torino waterproof leather collection. Torino has a beautiful pebble grain and anti-bacterial finish. All 30 colors are in-stock for immediate shipment. Request samples today.
FAQs
As a full service upholstery company, we always need to make sure we work with the finest and highest quality materials. Garrett has a great selection of leathers, all aniline dyed, and with the appropriate thickness to ensure maximum quality and durability.
What is the most waterproof leather? ›
Full-grain leather and top grain leather are often the most water-resistant and durable options, because they are crafted from the toughest sections of the animal hide (the exterior section) — and these properties translate into the end material.
Is waterproof leather real leather? ›
One of the most common ways that genuine leather is made waterproof, is to apply a plastic based layer of protection to the surface of the leather that makes it completely water repellent. Faux leather is already made from plastic. This makes its actual structure waterproof without any need for further protection.
What is the best way to waterproof leather? ›
Apply shoe cream to smooth leather first before covering it with a water-repellent layer of waterproofer. We do not recommend the use of alternatives such as hairspray or home remedies for the treatment of leather shoes; you should only use the kind of spray or foam waterproofer sold in shoe shops.
What is the most genuine leather? ›
Full-grain leather is considered the highest quality, and is left in the most natural state: It is not split at all, and consists of the entire top layer of the leather. It is durable, and maintains many of the natural characteristics and inconsistencies of the leather.
What is the most common fake leather? ›
The most commonly used materials for synthetic leathers are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU), which are plastic based materials. Another term for fake leather is “pleather” which comes from the term plastic leather.
What is the best leather for wet weather? ›
Nubuck Leather
With a distinct resemblance to suede, this buffed down variation of full-grain leather is naturally resistant to small amounts of water. These materials which are mostly used in shoes and heavy-duty accessories are resistant to wear as well and can be coloured.
Does waterproof leather patina? ›
Waterproofing leather can also prevent dirt particles from settling in (which also diminishes the patina effect).
Does fake leather get ruined when wet? ›
Faux (and vegan) leather can take a lot more soaking than animal leather and still be absolutely fine. The reason for this is that it is made of a polyurethane plastic (or sometimes pineapple and apple) and has the strong water-resistant qualities of that material. In most cases, water won't do it any harm at all.
What is the difference between 100% leather and genuine leather? ›
What is the difference between genuine and real leather? Real leather is 100% authentic leather made from animal hides, such as full grain leather or top grain leather. Genuine leather is a lower grade, which often includes only a small percentage of authentic leather.
Sure, leather can get wet - but it's not a great idea. The main problem when leather gets wet actually arises as the leather dries. When leather gets wet, the oils in the leather bind to the water molecules. As the water dries and evaporates, it draws out the oils with it.
Does Vaseline waterproof leather? ›
If you're having problems with your leather shoes, you can always use Vaseline to waterproof your shoes temporarily. Start with clean, dry shoes. Then, apply a thin, even layer of Vaseline to the shoe's surface, ensuring the seams are well-covered. Make sure to use a cloth or sponge to spread it evenly.
What leather is most waterproof? ›
Heavier wearing leathers from the top of the hide (top grain and full grain leathers) will almost always be more durable than softer materials from the other layers of the hide, like the area used for suede. For this reason, top grain and full grain leathers will often be more water resistant.
Does oiling leather make it waterproof? ›
Products like boot wax, waterproofing sprays, and oil treatments provide waterproofing for leather boots, but the method you choose will depend on the material of your boots and how often you wear them.
How can I tell if my bag is real leather? ›
Genuine leather purses will have an uneven texture, and may even have slight imperfections, while a fake bag will be smooth. Lastly, you can test by smell, as some genuine leather purses will have a more earthy aroma while fakes will not.
How can you tell if a show is real leather? ›
5 Ways to Tell the Difference Between Real and Fake Leather
- Check the Label. Many genuine leather products include a label indicating that the product is genuine leather. ...
- Smell the Leather. ...
- Test the Texture. ...
- Examine the Edges. ...
- Study the Pores.
As mentioned above, “Genuine Leather” only means real leather regardless whether it comes from cows, sheep, lamp etc. It is also important to note that “Genuine Leather” does not reveal any information about the animal housing or food quality and the tanning process of the leather.
