Common Names

• Faux leather has a variety of different names, all of which mean that it is not true leather. Artificial, leatherette, pleather, man-made leather, synthetic leather, leather-like and naugahyde all refer to faux leather.
  
  

Materials Used

• Different polymers are blended with the leather to create a material that is similar to real leather. Vinyl and a type of softener are injected into the leather to create a durable material that still resembles leather. The amount of polymers used determines the grade: the more polymers used, the lower the grade.
  
  

Why Faux Leather Does Not look Real

• Leather furniturewhite leather furniture image by Leonid Nyshko from Fotolia.com
  
  Faux leather will have a shine where real leather has a more satin unfinished look. Authentic leather is always very soft while faux leather has a stiffness because of the vinyl products used.
  
  

Other Differences

• Faux leather furniturebrown leather furniture image by Leonid Nyshko from Fotolia.com
  
  Faux leather has a rubbery scent as opposed to the unmistakable earthy smell of real leather. Leather is much warmer than a synthetic leather because polymers do not include any insulating factors.
  
  

Why Buy Faux Leather?

• Faux leather may not be real leather but is durable and strong. You can keep a faux leather coat or couch looking good with little care because it is washable and wears very well.