Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to wait until my children are grown to buy leather?
Absolutely not! Leather is unsurpassed in terms of durability. It will 4 to 5 times longer than a fabric set, and is one of the few upholstery pieces you can maintain yourself, and easily! Believe it or not, leather actually gets nicer with age, sort of like your favorite leather jacket. There are, however, different types of leather, so your Leather Expressions design consultant will make sure that you choose the right type of leather for your lifestyle.
Is leather good for pets?
YES! A million times , yes! Leather is durable, super easy to clean ultimately is best covering to withstand dogs (and other furry friends). Some people worry that that their pet’s claws will rip, cut or puncture their new leather sofa, but real top grain leather is too thick to be punctured (over 400 pounds of pressure needed!). Unless your dog thinks your new leather couch is a fun new toy or your cat thinks it’s a scratching post, it will hold up to their normal wear and tear There are certain protected leathers, with an extra finish applied to it, that can be even more durable. T The cheap stuff — whether it is a faux leather, bonded leather or some other “leather based” compound is much thinner and won’t hold up (even to normal wear and tear).
Isn’t leather hot in the summer and cold in the winter?
This is a common misconception, but no. Top-Grain leather is porous and breathes, adjusting to your body temperature. Your leather will be room temperature, but then once seated, it will actually give a cool feeling in summer, and a snug warmth in winter.
How long does it take to receive my leather?
In stock merchandise can be shipped immediately, however a custom order (whether a different configuration, color, size, etc) varies by each individual manufacturer. Some will take as long as 18-20 weeks to be delivered, some are only 10-12 weeks, and some less than 10. Ultimately - once you find the style that suits your needs we can provide you with a more accurate timeline. *We sell premium products that will last 20+ years if you take care of it, so my recommendation is always to get what you REALLY want, because you will have it for a long time.
Will leather puncture easily?
No, not easily. It takes close to 400 pounds of pressure to puncture leather. We believe an educated consumer is our best customer. For this reason, we have created a visual display in our showroom so you can see and feel the way top grain leather holds up compared to bonded, synthetic, or imitation leather.
What’s better? Top Grain Leather or Full Grain Leather?
- Despite a lot of information (and misinformation) all over the internet claiming that one is better than the other, each is very very good (and very similar). Whether you buy from Leather Expressions or not — the phrases to be wary of while shopping are “authentic leather” or “genuine leather product.” These have become a way for manufacturers to hide the fact that is some sort of leather based connection (yes it HAS leather in it, that only makes up a percentage of the covering) that has been placed on their prouduct. This is the stuff that WON’T last long. If you want real, high-quality leather, then either top grain or full grain is the best choice.
- Full grain leather means that original grain of the leather has not been altered in any way. Full Grain is exactly how the grain appeared during the tanning process. But it is also the layer that will show the most damage from things like scars, brands, insect bites, etc.
- Top Grain means that the natural grain and top layer of the leather have not been cut away. This is still a desirable leather as the top grain is always the strongest part of the leather. If the texture or surface has been changed at all, that is a corrected Leather. They are not correcting anything “wrong” with the leather, but they want to create a different look, a different feel or get some other characteristics. It could be embossed to make a consistent pebbling/grain, it could be sanded to feel silky smooth, etc.
- So in short, Full Grain leather is a Top Grain leather, but not the other way around and BOTH are great indicators that the quality of the leather is fantastic.
Will my leather hold up for years to come?
Yes! We believe leather-upholstered furniture is a great investment & an excellent value. From chic modern to hip traditional, we offer a style for every living room and with proper care, you can have these pieces for over 20+ years. Since leather is a natural product, aging brings out its natural patina, making it even more beautiful over time. And since leather furniture is something you can enjoy for years to come. This purchase makes a sound investment.
I don’t like the pictures on the website, can I customize it to fit my space?
With our premium selection of great, long lasting furniture brands, we offer a solution for every lifestyle. Whether you you lean towards traditional leather furniture, more a of transitional style or the ultra-modern - we are confidant we have something you will love! With hundreds of colors to choose from, we offer unparalleled selection. Every frame is completely customizable. If you see a sofa that you like, you can typically get it A chair, a love seat, an apartment size sofa (two larger seats the splits the size of the sofa and love seat) or a completely customizable sectional. You can also add recliner to almost every set we carry (or stationary if you prefer).
Why is it so expensive?
Even though leather furniture brings your home a rich look and feel, you don’t have to be rich and famous to enjoy leather furniture. Because leather wears in and fabric wears out, you’ll find that leather lasts much longer than fabric and can be a better value. If you have a $3,000 leather sofa that last 20 years vs a new fabric set every couple of years - in the long haul, you end up saving a lot of money (and don’t have to worry about getting rid of the old furniture!).
How do I take care of my leather furniture?
- Taking care of your leather furniture is simple and easy. Just use leather cleaner and conditioner every 6-12 months and wipe up spills as they occur with a clean cloth (or even water based baby wipes!). Avoid using normal cleaning supplies — like soap, cleaning solvents, furniture polish, oils, varnish, abrasive cleaners, detergents, or ammonia water - as this can damage the leather and cause more harm than good!
Do you offer financing?
Yes! We offer multiple payment options to purchase your new furniture. Currently, we offer financing plans from Synchrony Bank. Typically, they offer a 6 month interest free financing. You must apply and be approved through them directly, and pay 20% down.
What are the different grades of Leather?
A common misconception about leather grades is that more expensive = better leather. Everything at Leather Expressions is top grain leather, so we are already in the upper echelon of quality. But what are you paying for? To put it simply, each manufacture creates different “families” or “lines” of leather with different characteristics. It could embossed for an even grain, it could be sanded to give a silky smooth finish. It could go through a special multi-step dye process to give it a unique finish. Ultimately, what you are paying for is how much the hide shrunk in the tanning process and how much labor.
Can a furniture set be broken up or can I add additional pieces?
Absolutely! Most of the furniture is incredibly modular so you if it was still a current model and current leather - you could add pieces to an older sectional to make it bigger! We’d be more than happy to help you navigate the customization process to fit your specific needs
Will it fit though my door when delivered?
If your door is 35 inches or wider, it will absolutely fit! If your doorway is less that that, give us a call and we can figure out the best way to make sure we can get the furniture in your house!
Do you guys deliver?
Yes - and we insist on full white glove delivery. That means all you have to do is open the front door and tell the delivery team where it needs to go. They will completely assemble and set up whatever furniture you selected (and take away all trash/packing/etc
What happens if something is damaged or broken when I receive it?
It is very rare but once in a blue moon something happens in transit. As a policy we open and inspect the furniture ourselves prior to delivering, and once it arrives to your home, inspect your furniture to make sure it is perfect, and in the event it is not, please note that on the delivery receipt prior to the delivery team leaving. All of our delivery partners are insured so damage in transit will be covered and if it something that occurred at the manufacturing level, we will be your advocate to facilitate a repair/replacement piece.
I want power recliners but I don’t have any outlets nearby, what do I do?
Have no fear! All of our motion furniture can be battery powered. Prices vary by make and model, but we are here to guide you in selecting the right battery for your motion furniture. And typically, you can get anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks on a single overnight charge. Obviously it varies as there are different sizes and depends on how much usage to piece gets, but sometimes people will only need to charge it 2-3 times per year.
That’s it in a nutshell. Still not convinced? Do you need to know more? Purchasing leather can be a confusing process, especially with all the misinformation and misguiding that is out there. we are here to answer any questions you may have!
All we want at Leather Expressions is to assist you in making the best possible buying decision.