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Berkline's "BONDED LEATHER". Felt it, seen it, know anything about it good or bad???? - Page 2

post #31 of 69
6/16/09 at 6:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fabricator View Post

i wouldn't consider it leather either. i think that was thrown in there as a selling point. but still, it is a nice material. i think your MAIN focus should be on fit and ergonomics.

it can't stand up to cat claws. i have the evidence. luckily its very minor. i don't know how well real leather would stand up. i doubt any better. cat claws can scratch steel. but they can't scratch granite.

This is a very good point.

For example, I have granite counter tops in my bar and "engineered stone" (Silestone) in the kitchen. I HATE the granite! It has water marks despite the fact that I baby it and reseal it regularly. I LOVE the engineered stone. Clean it with 409, and heck even occasionally use it as a cutting board (bad for my knives though). After my experiences, I'd never have granite.

I'd say it is more important to look at your needs, budget and wants. I'm way past the point to have the need to impress anyone.
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post #32 of 69
6/16/09 at 7:30pm
hmmm. my granite is AWESOME.
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post #33 of 69
6/17/09 at 6:55pm
the point being that just because something isn't "genuine" or whatever doesn't make it a bad product. I took some heat my not going with granite in the kitchen. But I'm glad I didn't.
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post #34 of 69
6/18/09 at 7:09am
The original bonded leathers we stiff and not very leather-like. The newer versions feel just as good if not better than most leathers - especially treated leathers. The surface is actually a polyurethane. The "bonded" leather portion is applied to the back of the material so you never see or feel that part. I was very skeptical of this product at first. But the latest versions are better than any vinyl I've seen and vinyl has been used for seating for many, many years.

Even if your HT gets regular use, bonded is a great alternative if you don't want to pay for all leather or L/V.

Randy Bowman
Berkline Marketing
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post #35 of 69
6/19/09 at 1:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGmouthinDC View Post

My chairs farted and I used the baby powder in the crease where the cushions and armrests meet. Just put a little on your hand and reach in there and spread it around. Problem solved.

If you do this and then you really Fart, you can't blame it on the chair .
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post #36 of 69
6/19/09 at 6:10am
Quote:
If you do this and then you really Fart, you can't blame it on the chair .

That's what dogs are for. They are mobile and provide an excuse in MANY locations throughout the house. And particularly in the car.

Back on topic...

Just last night I sat in a Berk with the bonded leather and must say, I was rather pleased. I thought the surface was a little slicker than the surface of the leather, but it was soft and comfortable. If it will actually stand up to my dog jumping on it (and when I say jumping I really mean two front paws first, then the back legs trying to scale the rest of the climb, claws digging in the whole way up. even though he's big enough to just hop on up if he would figure it out), I will seriously consider this fabric.
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post #37 of 69
6/25/09 at 7:46am
Just bought a couple of rows of Berkline 12003 in bonded leather from Roman. Hopefully they will arrive tomorrow. I'll give you my feed back when I get them. Don't usually spend this kind of money without touching something first. But I've done it allot over the course of building out my HT. I've found I can trust most of the things I read in this forum.

Noow that I am finally done with the project maybe I'll have time to post some stuff about the project and not worry about being "Loganed". Thanks guys!
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post #38 of 69
6/29/09 at 2:08pm
If you worry about being LOGANED, then you ARE LOGANED!

Did you get the chairs? How are they?
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post #39 of 69
7/2/09 at 10:12pm
Sorry for the slow response. Just got back from Alaska. (2 hrs ago!)


The chairs are great! I love them. My 13 yr old daughter asked me "Dad, are these real leather?" I said yep. Hey, she thought there was a Santa Claus for 12 years. I challemge anyone to tell the difference. If I'm choosing between bonded leather and microfiber... go with the bonded leather. If leather is THAT important to you... get full leather. Its a media room. I'm in it 6-8 hours a week. Not allot of wear and tear.

Not worried about being Loganed anymore. Finished out 2000SF of the basement including media room in about 10 months. Hint...HIRE OUT THE DRYWALL!!!
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post #40 of 69
7/17/09 at 8:59am
What is the real advantage of getting bonded leather? I'm just curious because on Roman's site it seems that there is only a $50 price difference between that and real leather, which doesn't seem like its a real big deal. It sounds like it may be a bit smoother and comparable to higher grade leather?
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post #41 of 69
7/17/09 at 9:21am
This is what I posted in the other thread:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ericglo View Post

This is Roman's post in his sale thread:
"Quote:Originally Posted by rsh

The bonded leather is a new material (I am talking about the latest generation of it) that is made of leather ground and meshed together with some synthetic components and then stretched into a new cover. The result is really amazing. The cover looks and feels like buttery soft almost lamb skin leather. It is also non-scratchable and because of added synthetic components could hold up quite better than leather (although only time will tell). I actually tried to scratch it with a key, and I could not even leave a mark on it.

So far we have sold quite a few recliners in this cover, and I have not heard any negative comments back. The feedback is actually quite positive.

Now, please understand, this is my opinion only and should be taken as an opinion and nothing else. I do believe that for many people who are trying to find none expensive solution, especially in today's difficult economic conditions, this is a great alternative to leather. It looks and feels great, it is scratch resistable and it is less expensive..."

I spoke with the supplier I recommended Roman to in the other thread. I sent him Roman's quote and asked him to find out if this is any better than bicast. He sent me an email this morning with a reply from one of the largest leather chemical suppliers in the world.

"Quote:If you are truly a leather guy – you should be totally offended – this is just an other cheap way to say you have leather –what you have is a man made imitation – “A CHEAP KNOCK OFF”

If you are a chemical guy – you will love this as you get to sell a lots of chemicals – as this product is nothing more than a painted man made substrate. –



Leather on the other hand can not be duplicated – the soft buttery feel comes from the skins used and enhanced with the coatings that give it it’s unique characteristics – This my friend can not be duplicated.

Real leather is like a fine bottle of wine or the best you can imagine in a beautiful woman!! "

Until Roman makes the five minute trek with a sample over to this supplier, this supplier runs across some samples from somewhere else, myself or another industry friend runs across this new material, I can only say proceed with caution.

Here is a link that a very knowledgeable industry friend sent me:
http://www.mainlychairs.co.nz/leather%20advice.htm
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post #42 of 69
7/17/09 at 9:34am
Does the Bonded leather breathe?
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post #43 of 69
7/17/09 at 11:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeyNow^ View Post

Does the Bonded leather breathe?

After skinning it; chopping it up into little pieces; combining it with solvents, glues, and other man-made chemicals; no, it is finally dead.

CJ

PS- sorry at my poor attempt at humor. Not sure about the answer to the question you are really asking.
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post #44 of 69
7/17/09 at 2:53pm
Quote:


Does the Bonded leather breathe?

Yes, it does.
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post #45 of 69
7/17/09 at 7:28pm
As long as it doesn't snore during the quite parts. It's bad enough when we watch movies with the in laws

-Suntan
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post #46 of 69
7/23/09 at 10:28am
My theater seats are Bonded Leather, and so far I am very pleased with both how they look and how they feel. Bonded seems to have a smoother finish, so they appear to be a flawless leather. They are smooth, soft, and not very cold to the touch when you first sit down. As for durability, being in the dedicated theater room, they will get much less wear and tear than any other room as the only time anyone sits in them is during movie viewing. If they last for several bulbs (or several projectors) I will be happy with the investment as they were cheap. I did get one row of new seats, and one row that was a floor model. The floor model has some marks on the backs of the seats, mainly at the top corners, but very minor and not noticeable. If a floor model can stand up that well, then they should hold up very well in my theater. They were discontinued when I bought them, so they were likely on a sales floor for quite a while. I went from a $500 cloth couch and loveseat set to these, so they were a signifigant upgrade.
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post #47 of 69
8/26/09 at 7:56am
Row of 3 / Manual Recline / Bonded Leather $1,107.00
Row of 3 / Manual Recline / Leather $1,387.00

thats the difference. pretty significant if you ask me.
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post #48 of 69
8/29/09 at 7:23am


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post #49 of 69
8/29/09 at 8:50am
The 75062 is OLD bonded leather. The new one is 76067.
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post #50 of 69
8/29/09 at 8:54am
so you are saying that the new looks better or what? if it looks shiny like this one, I myself would lean towards the real leather. I like the bonded for the price, but by the time you add the montage warranty it comes to about $90 difference on three seats for my pricing.

post a pic of the new bonded roman and we can compare

$1256 bonded with warranty row of three
$1347 leather with warranty row of three
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post #51 of 69
8/29/09 at 9:04am
You need to see and feel the bonded leather in person. Pictures do not do justice. Both bonded leathers OLD and NEW have more sheen than the leather, but the new bonded leather is much softer - feels almost like lamb skin leather. I an email you the picture of new one if you need to see it...
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post #52 of 69
8/29/09 at 9:12am
these are my samples, I can feel them fine. please post a pic or email me one up close
nezff@hotmail.com
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post #53 of 69
8/29/09 at 9:21am
sent you an email w/picture.
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post #54 of 69
8/30/09 at 7:14pm
wow, the newer bonded does look pretty good.
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post #55 of 69
8/30/09 at 7:24pm
It is also feels much better. Of course this is my opinion only...
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post #56 of 69
9/2/09 at 9:29am
i went with the real leather, by the time i paid shipping, I got a better price on real leather than bonded. thats a no brainer.
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post #57 of 69
9/2/09 at 7:03pm
Hey all I am going for the Bonded leather myself. Row of 4 from Roman.
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post #58 of 69
3/2/10 at 12:07pm
At htmarket.com we don't order any of our containers in bonded just yet. we only order leather match at this time. I am not convinced it's a good product yet. It's less expensive at cost but if you have to replace in shorter time period than it's really not cheaper or less expensive in the long run. I would like to check back with some owners of bonded leather in future to see if it has held up in 3 years so until we find that out I won't sell something we don't know for sure over time will hold up. Buyers should be concerned with lifetime ownership as replacing seats in 3 to 5 years is not a good option and you would not of save any money at all, maybe you save 150 on a set of 3 but you save nothing in long run if you have to replace or the product looks bad after 3 years.

alan hutchinson
President
htmarket.com
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post #59 of 69
3/2/10 at 12:13pm
received my Bonded Leather from Roman, they feel great, I'm coming from natuzzi sofas.
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post #60 of 69
12/26/10 at 1:12pm
I have had my bonded leather Berks for probably 8 months now. I and everybody who sits in them love them. Very soft and comfortable. No signs of wear what so ever.
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AVS › AVS Forum › Home Entertainment & Theater Builder › Theater Room Items & Accessories › Berkline's "BONDED LEATHER". Felt it, seen it, know anything about it good or bad????