FAQ
Cortina Leathers sells upholstery grade leather to the architecture and design hospitality industry, as well as authorized furniture manufacturers in the contract and residential markets. We also sell leather to the aircraft, marine, automotive aftermarket, bookbinding, and motor home industries.
Cortina Leather is committed to using only the highest quality hides from steers and cows from very specific and responsibly-minded regions of the world. Our strict Environmental Stewardship and Social Responsibility policy is clear that we only source crust and finished leather from responsible tanneries who share our commitment to saving our natural world. 100% of the hides we use to make our leather are by-products of the food industry. If responsible manufacturers like Cortina don't make genuine leather (the strongest, longest-lasting bio-based textile on earth) with the hides, they will go into landfills. 30% of hides from the food industry are currently ending up in landfills. There is excess leather available to make. The origins of all our leathers are listed on our product pages and in the Tear Sheets. At Cortina, we continually search for an animal-free, bio-based product that will perform and look like gorgeous leather. So far, there is none.
Yes, when compared to other available commercial-grade textiles, genuine leather is environmentally friendly and extremely sustainable.
In fact, genuine leather lasts longer and is biodegradable within 50 years as opposed to plastic-based leather alternatives like vinyl, polyurethene or other "vegan leathers" which are petroleum based and never fully biodegrade, and eventually break down into microparticles in our waterways and drinking water.
100% of the hides Cortina Leathers uses are a by-product of the food industry. If we don't use the hides they will end up in landfills. Currently 30% of the hides as by-products of the food industry go to landfills or incinerators. There are plenty excess hides to make leather. Zero cows are grown for their leather.
At Cortina Leathers we have a strict Environmental Stewardship and Social Responsibility policy and only source hides from responsible tanneries which share our commitment to considering the earth we all share.
As an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Company, Cortina Leathers firmly adheres to all EPA guidelines and government regulations as part of a company-wide policy to maintain the sustainability of our environment.
Read our Environmental Stewardship and Social Responsibility policy Â
Absolutely! Leather can be cleaned and with proper care of quality leather sourced from responsible companies such as Cortina Leathers, leather can last for generations. Please click here to view our care & cleaning instructions.
Yes. We have over 350 SKU's in solid colors, two-tones, and textures in stock. We ship can ship within 24-48 business hours from receipt of order. Please contact your local sales rep to learn more. Find A Rep
Upholstery leather is genuine leather in the form of hides manufactured specifically to be used on furniture. Generally, upholstery leather is made on a better grade of crust and is thicker than the leather used in the fashion industry because of the durability needs of furniture. Genuine leather is the most durable, longest-lasting bio-based textile there is and ever was, and Cortina's leather is 100% a byproduct of the food industry. Cortina Leathers is committed to only sourcing hides from responsible tanneries which share our strict environmental and social sustainability values. Leather made by responsible manufacturers is also biodegradable and doesn't harm our waterways.
Typically, we submit a 6"x6" strike off for customers' approval within 48 hours. Once the sample is approved, it will take 3 weeks to complete the order.
Full grain leathers are technically top grain leathers, meaning they're all made from the "top" or outside layer of the hide. For classification purposes, at Cortina Leathers we classify full grain as those leathers that have not been buffed, sanded, or shaved with the purpose of removing the natural markings inherent in hides, which some people love, but there are times when you need durability of leather but don't want the markings. Cortina's top grain leathers have been sanded or shaved to remove most or nearly all natural markings and a natural grain is embossed on the hides. This improves adhesion of finishes, dyes, and pigments which increases color and grain consistency and yield, and can potentially lower cost. However, fit for purpose is essential when choosing a pattern as each Cortina collection was designed with specific goals. Your local sales specialist can help you find the best-suited leather for your designs.
Yes, Cortina Leathers is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company. View our certification
Bonded "leather" is not genuine leather. There is generally only about 5% of leather scrap fluff (think dryer lint) mixed with petroleum-based materials to make a plastic or vinyl fabric that only looks like leather. Bonded "leather" is used on the most inexpensive, mass-produced furniture. Bonded "leather" will crack and fade within 1-4 years of normal use and because people believe it is leather, they then believe leather cracks and fades quickly, which will not happen with the quality of leather that Cortina sells. Bonded "leather" is also not vegan. Bonded "leather" does not meet Cortina Leathers' strict code of Environmental Stewardship & Social Responsibility. For an affordable alternative to genuine leather we sell a sustainable, safe and smart alternative: Cortina Silicone Fabrics. Click to learn more.
Any leather that receives all its color from aniline dyes only and has no topical applications. Natural markings are visible and are to be considered a unique part of each hide.
Our average yield is 65%, and waste 35%. Leather is a natural product and each line and hide is unique so these numbers can vary greatly.
Click here to learn more about how Cortina suggests calculating yield here.
Yes. Our cut-to-pattern program is a special service, providing complete cut parts for upholstered furniture in a broad range of fashionable leathers.
Yes. We have unlimited sewing capabilities in some of our international tanneries.
Chrome tanned leathers are tanned with soluble chromium salts, primarily basic chromium sulfate. Chrome-free leathers are tanned with vegetable materials that are derived from certain plants and woods, often called bark tannins.
Approximately 8 lbs.
Yes. Cortina Leather has a vast range of styles and colors to choose from, but we also offer custom orders with a 10-hide minimum. Our color-matching department is unparalleled in the industry, and we offer a large selection of embossing patterns as well as machine or hand-tipping services to create a truly unique look.
No. Our leathers do not contain lead.
Our leather is 100% post-consumer recyclable. It's very common for quality leather to outlast the usable lifecycle of furniture and the process used to manufacture our leathers is very safe for handling leather post upholstery. The leather can be up-cycled by removing it and using it to cover smaller pieces or sold or given to small leather-good makers. There are many second-hand recycling businesses like Oleada in New York. Leather from responsible tanneries such as Cortina Leathers is also fully biodegradable. Cortina's leather is made in responsible, modern tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group and is a natural, bio-based bi-product produced with safe materials that pass strict REACH and California Prop 65 testing. Cortina up-cycles all scrap leather to companies that make small leather goods.