You Don’t Want To Buy PVC and PU Sofas!

Buying a sofa can be a daunting task. Just picking the leather material alone, can be a headache with the number of options available, and conflicting information about man-made PVC/PU leather, faux leather or genuine leather. However, in short, even though PVC/PU or faux leather can look as good as real leather in the showroom, it is unlikely to last more than 2-3 years, and we strongly urge that you avoid it. Read on more to find out why.

What are PVC Sofas?

PVC sofas are part of the faux leather family. They are made using man-made or synthetic materials that mimic genuine leather. PVC sofas, in particular, are made by combining polyvinyl-chloride with stabilisers (to protect), plasticisers (to soften) and lubricants (to make it flexible), which are then merged with a base material. These base materials are typically polyester, cotton, nylon, or rayon. However, in the long run, these PVC sofas are not actually good for you and your home. Let us tell you why.

They Tear Easily

PVC sofas do not have the same amount of elasticity as authentic leather materials. As a result, they often lose their shape very quickly with regular use. This inadvertently leads to PVC sofas tearing easily. In some cases, this can happen in mere months if not taken proper care of. Homeowners with pets are even more susceptible to tears in their PVC sofas as it generally lacks the strength and endurance that comes with actual leather.

No Breathability

When you’re buying a sofa, it’s important that it is “breathable” - It should allow air to pass through. Most organic materials, such as genuine leather, are permeable to air. This allows you to sit on a leather sofa in a warm environment, without feeling sweaty and sticky. That is, however, not the case with PVC sofas. In our humid tropical climate, sitting on a PVC sofa can be a sticky situation, to say the least and an uncomfortable experience overall. This is not a great feeling especially since the sofa is meant to be a place of rest and relaxation!

It Will Crack Over Time

Sofas are a long term investment. You want it to last and age gracefully as much as possible. Unfortunately with PVC sofas that is not possible. Over time, these sofas tend to crack or start to peel. This happens because the polyvinyl-chloride coating on PVC sofas progressively disintegrate, especially in a hot and humid environment. There are ways to ensure that these sofas are constantly conditioned to avoid this mishap. However, it is quite a taxing maintenance process and it is also pretty much inevitable in a tropical country such as Singapore.

So What Type of Sofa Should I Buy?

As much as PVC sofas are affordable, it’s crucial to consider the long-term durability of your sofa as you can save more in the long run. If you are on a tight budget, switching to a high-quality fabric sofa could provide you with something comfortable and durable. Or you can invest in an authentic leather sofa as it will age gracefully over time. At Grey & Sanders, we do carry top-grain and full-grain leather sofas. Learn more about our leather options here. If you’re looking to deep dive into the world of leather, you can do just that in our ultimate leather guide article!

Like this tip?

You can read more of our other tips in another article "4Mmust-know Tips When Getting a Sofa".

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