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CLOTH OR LEATHER CAR SEATS
It's an age-old question. And car owners around the world have been asking themselves it for decades. Which is better leather or cloth car seats?
WHICH MATERIAL IS BEST FOR CAR SEAT COVERS?
If you are buying a new car and considering your options for car seat material you will be faced with a range of options. You can choose to have your car seats upholstered in nylon cloth, polyester, leather, leatherette, or ultrasuede. Each type has its own specific set of characteristics, pros, and cons. Let's take a closer look at the different options for cloth or leather car seats.
TYPES OF CAR SEAT MATERIAL
The two most popular types of car seats in the UK are cloth car seats and leather car seats. The fabric used in cloth seats can vary and the two most popular types are nylon cloth and polyester cloth seats. Other types of materials used to make car seats include vinyl (leatherette vinyl) and ultrasuede alcantara. Let's take a look at these five types of car seat material in more detail.
NYLON CLOTH
Nylon is the most common material used to make car seats. They are a highly functional material that offers strong durability and a sleek finish. Nylon cloth is an affordable car seat material which makes it one of the most commonly found car seat materials in the UK.
The main advantages of nylon cloth as a car seat are its affordability, it is stain-resistant and easy to maintain, and it does not become too hot during the summer months. The key disadvantages are it is not as durable as leather and can stain and retain odor more easily.
POLYESTER CLOTH
Polyester is another very popular car seat material. Polyester cloth is made by weaving polyester fibers together to form a cloth. It is easy to produce, inexpensive, and can be easily cleaned. It is a good choice for young families as it can withstand a lot of wear and tear.
The key pros of polyester cloth car seats are that they are inexpensive, waterproof, reasonably durable, and are a good alternative to leather. The main cons are they can get stained and can absorb unpleasant odors.
LEATHER
Leather is a high-end, luxury material. It is durable, looks great, and is considered the premium choice of material for a car seat. However, it is also the most expensive. Recent years have seen an upsurge in the price of leather. This has seen an already expensive material become even more expensive.
The main advantages of leather are that it looks and feels great, is highly durable, and is easily maintained. The main drawbacks are that it gets hot in summer and can be damaged if you apply the wrong products.
LEATHERETTE VINYL
Leatherette vinyl looks like leather but does not use any animal products. It is also referred to as faux leather. It has become very popular in recent years, especially amongst those that prefer a vegan-based product.
The main advantage of leatherette vinyl is that it gives the same look and feel as leather but at a much more affordable price. It is also free of animal-sourced products. The main disadvantages are that vinyl leatherette does not have the same durability as real leather and it can stick to your legs when you get hot.
ULTRASUEDE ALCANTARA
Ultrasuede alcantara is the least common type of seat cover. It looks and feels like suede but has the bonus of being flame retardant. It is often found in mid-range vehicles where the owner wants an alternative to leather or suede. Ultrasuede alcantara doesn't use any animal products.
Its main advantages are that it looks and feels great, has flame retardant properties, and does not use any animal products. Its disadvantages are that it is an expensive material.
WHAT IS A CLOTH CAR SEAT?
Cloth car seats are by far the most common type of car seat in the UK – making up 80% of all car seats. Their popularity is based on the fact that they look good, they're comfortable, and they are cost-effective.
PROS & CONS OF A CLOTH CAR SEAT
What are the pros and cons of cloth car seats? How do they stack up against their leather competitors? Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of cloth car seats and you can get an idea if they are the right choice for you.
PROS OF CLOTH CAR SEATS
PRICE
Cloth car seats are much more affordable than leather. Typically they come in at just a fraction of the price. However, there is a high degree of variance when it comes to the quality of a cloth car seat. This means you can pick up low-quality cloth seat covers very cheaply. However, high-end cloth seats will cost a lot more.
SOFT FEEL
The fabric used to make cloth seats is soft to touch. And it only gets softer with age. This has a pleasant feel that most people find comfortable.
GOOD TEMPERATURE REGULATION
Cloth car seats are great for temperature regulation. This is great if you live anywhere that experiences cold winters or hot summers. Cloth will stay relatively warm in the winter. And, conversely, they stay relatively cool in the summer – compared to leather.
CUSTOMISATION OPTIONS
Cloth seats are also much easier to customize as the material is easy to work with. This means there are more options when it comes to design and personal customisation. Leather covers don't just have as many design options.
CONS OF CLOTH SEATS
STAINING
Cloth seats stain easily. The fabric used to make cloth seats tends to be easily stained. This can cause a problem if someone spills food or drink directly onto the cloth fabric. You're going to have a job on your hands cleaning it up to prevent staining.
ODORS
Cloth seats have a tendency to absorb odors. The fibers used to make fabric seat covers trap microscopic particles and hold them in place. This leads to a build-up of odor over time. If you have pets in your car, kids that spill treats, or adults who like smoking – cloth seats may adapt an unpleasant smell over the years.
TEARS & DAMAGE
Cloth seats can be easily damaged. The material used to weave the fabric can get punctured or torn. The level of resilience of a cloth car seat varies greatly as the degree of quality of the fabric used varies. High-end cloth seats will have a much better endurance to tears and damage compared to cheap models.
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WHAT IS A LEATHER CAR SEAT?
Leather car seats are regarded as a luxury option and they tend to be included in high-end cars. This means leather seats cost more than cloth car seats.
PROS & CONS OF A LEATHER CAR SEAT
What are the pros and cons of leather car seats? How do they compare to their cloth car seat cousins? Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of leather car seats to see if they are a good choice for you.
PROS OF LEATHER CAR SEATS
LUXURY OPTION
Leather car seats are seen as a luxury option for seat covers. Leather is a natural product and cannot be man-made. This gives leather car seats a certain prestige that you just don't get with synthetic man-made materials. Leather seats are more commonly found in high-end, high-value cars.
EASY TO CLEAN
Leather seats are easy to clean. In fact, they are very easy to clean. Food and drink spills can be simply wiped up without having to roll up the sleeves and start scrubbing. This is great if you have small kids that can't be trusted with their ice cream. Or, you tend to spill a little coffee as you round corners.
SMELL & STAIN RESISTANT
Leather seats are much more resistant to the build-up of unpleasant odors. This is down to the fact that the material is spill-resistant, easy to clean, and much more difficult to stain. Leather just doesn't absorb all the little nasty particles that a cloth seat does. Your car will stay fresher and smell better for longer.
GREAT FEEL
Leather seats just feel great to sit on. If you are familiar with leather car seats you will understand the plush comfort that comes with sitting down on and gently sinking into a leather car seat. Leather car seats deliver a level of feel and comfort that you just don't get with cloth seats.
EXCELLENT SEAT WARMING
If you have seat warmers in your car you'll notice they work much better with leather seat covers. The seat will heat up much more quickly and spread the heat smoothly over the surface of the seat cover. There will be no unpleasant hot spots. This is a great feature if you live in an area that experiences cold winters.
CONS OF LEATHER CAR SEATS
EXPENSIVE
Leather car seats are expensive. There's just no way of getting around it. Leather is a high-quality natural product that is in high demand. High demand means you're going to have to pay a premium price to join the club. If you're on a budget you may find cloth seats a better fit.
TEMPERATURE EXTREMES
This is a feature you'll clearly remember if you've ever jumped onto a leather seat on a hot sunny day wearing a pair of shorts. Leather seats can get very hot on sunny summer days. They are sensitive to temperature. Leather seats get hot on hot days and can burn your skin. Conversely, they can become cold and brittle on cold winter days.
REPAIRS ARE COSTLY
Repairing a leather car seat doesn't come cheap. Any tears or damaged areas that require some TLC are going to come with a significant price tag. If you have leather steps and want to avoid a costly repair you will need to take good care of the seats. On the other hand, cloth seat repairs are much more affordable.
BREAKING IN PERIOD
Just like a pair of new leather shoes need to be broken in before they feel comfortable, the same is valid for leather seats. If you have a brand new set of leather seats you may find they feel stiff and unresponsive at first. But don't worry, all this will change. The leather just needs some time to soften. And as you use the seats you will find they begin to shape around your body and fit like a glove.
DISCOLOURATION
Leather seats are sensitive to sunlight. If they are left exposed to direct sunlight for hours on end over the years you may notice a change of colour in the leather. This is caused by sensitivity in the leather to sunlight. Areas that are exposed to extended periods of direct light may begin to change color over the years.
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