Build Your Custom Theater Chair

Valentino Leather vs. Silk Leather vs. Cine-suede

Designing the perfect home theater is an exciting process. Our Chair Builder tool lets you customize every element of your home theater seating, from arm style, backrest and headrest to color and material—not to mention accessories. With so many options, it can be hard to know where to start. Today, we’re sharing some tips for choosing the perfect material for your home theater seating.
At Elite, we spent a number of years assessing the different options available, and we decided on the three that we feel are the best of the best for your home theater seating: Valentino Leather, Silk Leather, and Cine-suede. We believe in these materials so much that we offer a 5-year warranty on all our upholstery options.
While there are three luxury materials to choose from, there are over 200 colors available, giving you endless design options. Read below to compare the different options for your home theater seating.
As you’re reading, keep in mind who will be using the home theater. Will it be used as a family room, a man cave, a couple’s retreat, a screening room, or on a yacht? Let that vision guide the type of upholstery you choose.
Valentino Leather
For those who love the look and feel of real leather, Valentino Leather is the perfect choice. This top grain, Grade A leather comes from an Italian tannery. The leather is buffed and embossed for a smooth, consistent look. It’s also pre-treated for added durability, so your home theater chairs are sure to last for many years to come.
Valentino Leather has passed an international leather test and received the following results:
Flexometry – 20,000 cycles
Dry rub test – 1,000 cycles
Wet rub test – 250 cycles
Tear resistance – 25 N
Silk Leather
Silk Leather is becoming increasingly popular and is considered our most luxurious material. Composed of a polyurethane surface, this earth-friendly and greenguard certified material has the look and feel of genuine leather. You won’t notice the difference as you sink into the silky smooth, buttery feel of this fabric while enjoying your favorite movie.
Another bonus to choosing Silk Leather as your upholstery option is that the material is equipped with climate control technology. It stays cooler than most real leathers do in warmer climates and avoids stiffening and cracking as leather often does in cooler conditions.
Silk Leather is not only beautiful and comfortable, it is also durable and easy to clean, making it a great choice for any home theater room.
Cine-Suede
If you’re looking for something softer than leather and you don’t want the look of real leather, Cine-suede is a great option. Its softness makes it very easy to cozy up into. Many clients looking for a posh and retro cinema look choose Cine-suede material and they’re never disappointed.
The material is a faux velvet, offered in a lot of classic shades and fun, rich and bright colors. It also exceeds an impressive 100,000 double rub count, which is sure to surpass our extended 5-year warranty on upholstery.
Cine-Suede is also easy to clean; just use mild soap and water with a sponge or soft brush.
Your own material
We love collaborating with interior designers and homeowners to dream up the best ways to bring your vision to life.
If you’ve fallen in love with a certain material or leather, Elite will upholster your seats with your own material so you get exactly what you’re looking for.
Still not sure what to choose? Visit our gallery for inspiration or contact us and we’ll be happy to help you select the best material for your home theater seating.