Faux Leather Upholstery for contract and domestic projects with Crib 5 fabric treatment

Faux Leather Upholstery Fabrics to Crib 5

Our Fine Faux Leather fabrics are Crib 5 contract-grade, upholstery fabric mainstays. Their flex, Martindale results, and other technical properties give them excellent technical performance characteristics while remaining beautiful to the eye.

KOTHEA offers a varied range of faux animal skins across a wide colour palette.

We have several collections of Faux Leather Upholstery fabrics, sometimes referred to as leatherettes, which are eminently suitable for contract use, with very high Martindale rub test results exceeding 200,000 rubs. Usually, you will only find faux leather with up to 100,000 rubs; in some demanding contract environments, more may be required, or you might want to be more conservative when specifying for the intended use. The same logic applies when considering Crib 7 over Crib 5.

Our upholstery Faux Leather collections come with over 20 colourways per collection, including black faux leather, and offer several cleaning and durability characteristics, making them suitable for boutique hotels, bars, yachts, spas, wall and door panelling, and cushions and upholstery. (Alcantara is a brand of faux leather upholstery.)

For a full comparison of PVC, PU, and silicone leather types, see our guide to faux leather types. For hotel and hospitality projects, see our hotel fabric specification guide. For projects requiring IMO fire certification for commercial yachts, see our guide to IMO marine fire standards.

Typically, our upholstery vinyls and faux leathers are available by the metre and are 137 to 140 cm wide, with roll lengths between 25m and 50m. You can get a good indication of the available colours from the colour charts below. There may be discrepancies between what your smartphone or monitor displays and the actual product, so we are happy to send samples once you have narrowed down your choices.

Be wary of cheaper faux leathers. Whilst they may have a reasonable-looking rub test, they will be thin and will easily tear. Our fabrics are made and tested in Europe, and you can be certain they meet the durability and FR standards required by law.

Interior designers: check the PDF colour cards below, then request specific cuttings.

Here are the colourways of two of our most popular collections.

Fine Faux Leather (Collection 3) – Colour Chart

Fine Faux Leather (Collection 4) – Colour Chart

If you need faux leather for upholstery that meets the super-stringent Crib 7 fire regulations, then we can help there, too.

Collections

Faux Leather 3

Fibre type: Faux leather

Composition: 1% PU 82% PVC 17% polyester

Martindale rub count: In excess of 200,000. See our complete guide to the Martindale rub test.

Fire rating: BS 5852 Crib 5

Width: 140 cm

Repeat: None (plain)

Suitable uses: Upholstery, wall panelling, door panelling, cushions

Contract suitability: Yes

Colourways available: Over 20

Manufacturing origin: Europe

Frequently Asked Questions

What Martindale rub count does Kothea faux leather achieve?

Faux Leather 3 from Kothea achieves more than 200,000 Martindale rubs. Most faux leathers on the market are tested to 100,000 rubs. The figure above 200,000 places this fabric in the most demanding contract category and makes it suitable for very high-use environments, including transport seating, hospitality, and healthcare. For a full explanation of what rub count figures mean, see our complete guide to the Martindale rub test.

Does Kothea faux leather have a Crib 5 fire rating?

Yes. Faux Leather 3 carries a BS 5852 Crib 5 fire rating. No additional treatment is required before use in contract environments where Crib 5 is the specified standard.

What is the difference between Crib 5 and Crib 7 for upholstery fabric?

BS 5852 Crib 5 is the fire resistance standard required for most contract upholstery in the United Kingdom, including hotels, restaurants, and offices. Crib 7 is a more stringent standard required in specific high-risk environments such as prisons and secure psychiatric units. If your project requires Crib 7 compliance, contact Kothea directly to discuss the options available.

Is faux leather suitable for yacht and marine upholstery?

Yes. Faux leather is widely used in marine and yacht interiors because it is moisture-resistant, does not absorb spills, and is easy to clean. Contact Kothea to confirm suitability for your specific marine application and any additional certification requirements.

What is the difference between PVC and PU faux leather?

PVC faux leather uses a polyvinyl chloride coating over a base cloth and is typically more durable and easier to clean, making it well-suited to high-traffic contract applications. PU faux leather uses a polyurethane coating and tends to have a softer, more supple handle closer to that of genuine leather. Kothea’s Faux Leather 3 is principally PVC-based, which contributes to its exceptional abrasion resistance of over 200,000 Martindale rubs.

Can faux leather be used for wall and door panelling?

Yes. Faux Leather 3 is suitable for both wall and door panelling, as well as seating and upholstery. Its wipe-clean surface and Crib 5 fire rating make it a practical choice for contract wall covering in hospitality and commercial interiors.

Request a cutting of any faux leather colourway at kothea.com/cuttings.