PU Leather vs PVC Leather: What is the difference?

When it comes to buying leather material things then people become very choosy. There are different types of products that are made up of leather like shoes, bags, coats, clothing, etc. These leather products are manufactured through various kinds of leather. There are different kinds of leather available in the market but the most suitable and customary ones are PU leather and PVC leather.

Products that are made up of this leather are best to use but there are many differences between PU and PVC leather. Both of these leathers are popular and eco-friendly but not similar. In this article, I will let you know the differences between PU leather Vs PVC leather in order to make your selection easy. Follow the article to know the major differences between PU leather vs PVC leather.

PU Leather vs PVC Leather – Detailed Comparison

PU Leather vs PVC Leather

Polyurethane leather (PU Leather) is one of the common and genuine leather, which is quite inexpensive and easy to fabricate. The best thing about PU leather is that it is easy to clean. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is another low-maintenance leather. The best thing about PVC leather is that it does not crack and is stainless-free. Both of these leather are quite good but are differentiated from each other in many ways.

To know the major and noticeable differences between PU leather and PVC leather, it is very important that you know their specialties separately. PU leather and PVC leather both are synthetic and have similar flexibility. Both are tough, durable, and reliable, which provides the best experience. Apart from similarities, there are some differences through which you can get an idea of which is more appropriate to buy.

Polyurethane Leather

PU leather is artificially made leather, which is made up of polyurethane. Polyurethane Leather does not involve animal skin, but it is purely synthetic and made up of 100% artificial leather. It is made in a way that looks similar to real animal skin.

The base of the PU leather is made up of fiber and it is made up of double-cast leather, which makes it super durable and reliable. The PU leather is lighter, seems like real animal skin, is quite resistant, and is crack-free. Read a detailed comparison of genuine leather vs PU leather.

Polyurethane Leather PU Leather

This leather is pretty strong and is usually used for making car seats. The best thing about manufacturing PU leather is that it costs less and provides amazing production results.

The texture of the Polyurethane leather is quite soft, smooth, and slick. You can use products that are made up of PU leather for a longer period of time as it presents cracking, and gives satisfying results. You can also read about Vegan leather vs PU leather.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC Leather)

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC leather) is another synthetically made leather, which also requires less cost for its manufacturing process. The best thing about PVC leather is made up of durable plastic, which is easy to maintain and clean. Another good thing about PVC Leather is that it is rain-resistant and crack-free. The PVC leather is soft in texture and gives the best user experience to the user.

Polyvinyl Chloride PVC Leather

The PVC leather is available in different colors and the best thing is that its color does not fade. When it is exposed too much to sunlight then it is possible that it may fade after some years. The surface layer of this PVC leather is made of up 2 layers, which make sure that it does not crack easily.

What is the difference between PVC and PU Leather?

Difference between PVC and PU Leather

Well, if I compare PU Leather vs PVC Leather in its appearance and texture then PU is somehow more complex in its material than PVC. PU is more strong, gentle, crack-free, and air regulated than PVC. PVC has double layers of leather, which means that it is less breathable than PU leather. PU is less expensive and has a softer texture.

PVC leather is less stain resistant than PU leather because PU leather has large pores, which grab more stains than PVC leather. When it comes to durability then PVC leather is more durable because of its extra surface layer and texture. Both are easy to maintain and clean as they are synthetically made, which involves no animal skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which synthetic is better PU or PVC and why?

PU leather is better than PVC leather because of its breathable, gentle texture and flexibility.

Is PVC leather genuine leather?

No, PVC leather is not genuine leather. PVC leather is a synthetic material made from a combination of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and plasticizers, which is designed to mimic the appearance and texture of genuine leather. While PVC leather can be a cost-effective alternative to genuine leather, it does not have the same durability or natural properties as real leather. Genuine leather is made from the hides of animals, and is a more luxurious and high-quality material.

Is PU leather safer than PVC?

PU leather is chemical free so it is safer than PVC.

Final Thoughts

I hope you have got an idea of what the differences are between PU leather and PVC leather. Both are best to use but are different in some ways. Both are flexible but different in their texture and are less costly in their manufacturing process.


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