PVC vs PU Leather: Which to Specify for Contract Upholstery

PVC and PU are the two synthetic leathers a UK specifier will meet most often, and they are not interchangeable. This guide compares them across the measures that decide a contract specification: abrasion, fire certification, cleaning, cold performance, and cost. For the wider comparison including silicone leather, see our faux leather types guide.

PVC and PU: The Core Difference

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) leather is built on a plasticised PVC layer over a textile backing. PU (polyurethane) leather is built on a polyurethane coating over a textile backing. The base polymer is the difference, and it drives almost every performance distinction that follows. PVC is the more robust and chemically resistant of the two. PU is softer, more breathable, and closer to the handle of real leather, but generally less durable over a long service life.

Comparison by Specification Measure

Which to Specify

For heavy contract upholstery in hotels, restaurants, bars, healthcare, and transport, PVC leather is usually the sounder specification. It reaches the highest abrasion figures, is readily certified to BS 5852 Crib 5, and wipes clean, which matters in high-turnover and infection-controlled settings. Confirm the cold-crack grade for any exterior or marine application, since standard PVC stiffens in cold.

For projects where handle and appearance are the priority and use is lighter, PU leather is the better choice. It feels closer to real leather and breathes better, which suits residential and boutique settings. The trade-off is service life: PU is more prone to surface peeling and delamination over years of heavy use, so it is less suited to the most demanding contract environments.

For cold-crack testing relevant to exterior and marine use, see our cold crack temperature testing guide. For the chemical safety and durability picture, see our faux leather sustainability guide. For the full specification library organised by environment, application, and performance need, see our fabric buying guide by purpose.

Quick answers

Is PVC or PU leather better for contract upholstery?
PVC leather is usually better for heavy contract upholstery. It reaches higher Martindale abrasion figures, is readily certified to BS 5852 Crib 5, and wipes clean, which suits hotels, healthcare, and transport. PU leather is better where handle and appearance matter more than service life, such as residential and boutique settings, but it is more prone to surface peeling over time.

What is the difference between PVC and PU leather?
PVC leather is built on a plasticised polyvinyl chloride layer and is more durable and chemically resistant. PU leather is built on a polyurethane coating and is softer, more breathable, and closer to the handle of real leather, but generally less durable. The base polymer is the difference and it drives their contrasting performance.

Does PU leather peel more than PVC?
PU leather is more prone to surface peeling and delamination over a long service life than PVC. This is the common failure mode for PU in heavy-use settings, which is why PVC is generally specified where durability over many years is the priority.

To request cuttings of any KOTHEA faux leather, visit KOTHEA.com/cuttings.