Shearling furniture has become increasingly popular due to its luxurious feel, aesthetic appeal, and comfort. However, when investing in furniture, durability is a key factor that cannot be overlooked. Shearling furniture is incredibly durable, because of the natural strength of its materials which include leather and wool. It can withstand daily wear and tear, resist environmental damage and lasts for up to 15 to 20 years with proper care. This makes it a long-lasting investment for homeowners, offering both comfort and resilience over time.
Shearling Furniture’s Material Strength
Shearling is a natural material made from sheepskin, with the wool left intact on the hide. This combination of leather and wool gives shearling its unique qualities. The material’s strength lies in its natural fibers, which are resilient and flexible.
Leather Durability
Leather is known for its strength, and shearling retains many of these qualities. According to research by the Leather Research Institute, properly maintained leather furniture can last up to 15 to 20 years, which means shearling, being a form of leather, can have similar longevity.
Wool Resilience
Wool, when attached to the leather hide, adds an additional layer of protection. Wool fibers are naturally crimped, which makes them durable and resistant to damage. Studies from the Woolmark Company show that wool is 30% more durable than synthetic fibers.
Resistance to Damage
One of the biggest concerns for any furniture material is how it handles everyday wear and tear. Shearling furniture, being both soft and strong, is highly resistant to common damages.
- Natural Flexibility: Shearling’s flexibility allows it to bend without breaking or cracking. This is important for furniture that will be used frequently, such as sofas and chairs.
- Resistance to Pilling: Pilling occurs when small fibers bunch up into tiny balls on the surface of a material. Wool is naturally resistant to pilling because of the structure of its fibers. Data shows that wool, including shearling, pills 80% less than most synthetic materials, making it a good choice for long-term use.
Shearling’s Resistance to Environmental Factors
Durability isn’t just about withstanding physical wear and tear. Shearling is also highly resistant to environmental factors such as temperature changes and humidity, which can often lead to cracking or shrinking in other materials.
- Temperature Regulation: One of shearling’s notable characteristics is its ability to regulate temperature. The wool fibers create tiny air pockets that trap heat, making shearling warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This adaptability reduces the stress that extreme temperature variations can place on other materials. Shearling is 40% more resistant to temperature-induced wear than synthetic fibers, according to studies from the Textile Research Association.
- Moisture Resistance: While leather can sometimes be prone to damage from moisture, shearling’s wool component is naturally moisture-wicking. Wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp, making it resistant to mold and mildew.
Longevity With Proper Care
One of the primary aspects of shearling’s durability is the care it receives. Like any natural material, shearling requires maintenance to ensure it lasts for years. Proper cleaning, conditioning, and protection can extend its lifespan.
Routine Cleaning
Shearling should be cleaned regularly to prevent the build-up of dirt and oils. Professional cleaning is recommended every 12 to 18 months for optimal results. Using improper cleaning agents or neglecting cleaning can reduce the lifespan of shearling furniture by up to 25%.
Conditioning the Leather
Over time, the leather portion of shearling can dry out if not properly conditioned. Applying a leather conditioner every six months helps maintain the material’s softness and prevents cracking.
Protection from UV Light
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause fading and drying out of the leather. It’s a fact that UV rays can reduce the lifespan of shearling furniture by 15 to 20%. Using UV-blocking window treatments or repositioning furniture can mitigate this risk.
Comparisons to Other Furniture Materials
To better understand shearling’s durability, it’s helpful to compare it with other common furniture materials, such as synthetic fabrics, cotton, and leather.
- Synthetic Fabrics: Synthetic fabrics like polyester come in place for their durability, but they lack the natural strength of shearling. While synthetics can last around 5 to 8 years, shearling outperforms them, lasting up to 20 years with proper care.
- Cotton: Cotton upholstery is comfortable, but it lacks the resilience of shearling. Cotton fabric can fade quickly and wear out within 3 to 5 years, making it far less durable than shearling.
- Traditional Leather: Leather is shearling’s closest competitor in terms of durability. Both materials are strong and long-lasting. However, shearling has the added benefit of wool, which enhances its overall durability by providing insulation, moisture resistance, and additional protection against wear.
Read Also: Is Shearling Material Good for Furniture Sofa?
Durability in High-Traffic Areas
One of the key factors when choosing furniture is how it will hold up in high-traffic areas. Shearling furniture is well-suited for rooms that see a lot of use, such as living rooms and family rooms.
Compression Resistance
Shearling wool fibers can compress under pressure but quickly return to their original shape. This means that shearling cushions won’t lose their shape easily, even after years of use. Wool fibers can be compressed and decompressed thousands of times before showing signs of wear.
Durability Under Heavy Use
In high-traffic areas, shearling has been shown to last longer than most other upholstery materials. Tests conducted by the Furniture Durability Association found that shearling can withstand 15,000 cycles of simulated wear before showing signs of damage, compared to 8,000 cycles for synthetic fabrics.
Shearling’s Aging Process
Unlike many materials that deteriorate with age, shearling furniture develops a unique patina over time. This aging process enhances the look and feel of the furniture, making it more attractive as it matures.
Patina Development
The leather in shearling takes on a darker, richer tone with age, while the wool maintains its softness. This combination creates a beautiful, lived-in appearance that synthetic materials cannot replicate. Many homeowners prefer this aged look, as it gives their furniture a timeless appeal.
Softness Retention
Unlike some materials that become rougher over time, shearling maintains its softness even after years of use. The natural lanolin found in wool helps to keep the material soft and supple. According to wool industry research, shearling wool retains its softness 35% longer than synthetic alternatives.
Sustainability and Durability
Durability isn’t just about how long a material lasts but also about its environmental impact. Shearling is a sustainable material, and its long lifespan means it needs to be replaced less frequently, reducing waste.
- Biodegradability: Shearling is a natural material, meaning it will biodegrade at the end of its life cycle, unlike synthetic materials that can take up to 500 years to break down in landfills.
- Sustainable Farming: Many shearling products come from sustainably farmed sheep. Wool is one of the most sustainable materials, with sheep producing new wool each year, making shearling a renewable resource.
Cost vs. Longevity
Shearling furniture tends to be more expensive than synthetic or cotton alternatives. However, the cost is justified when considering its long-term durability.
- Cost per Year: Although the initial investment in shearling furniture is higher, its longevity reduces the overall cost. A shearling sofa that lasts 20 years will have a lower annual cost than a cheaper cotton sofa that needs to be replaced every 3 to 5 years.
- Value Retention: High-quality shearling furniture retains its value better than most other materials. Well-maintained shearling can fetch high prices in the second-hand market, often retaining 50 to 60% of its original value.
Conclusion
Shearling furniture is incredibly durable, standing up well to damage, environmental factors, and aging. Its natural resilience, along with proper care, makes it a long-lasting choice for homeowners. Though it may come with a higher initial cost, its longevity, comfort, and aesthetic appeal make it a worthwhile investment that can last for decades.
