Massage chair users and owners would agree that they are some of the most comfortable modern furniture pieces out there. You can sit on a massage chair for hours even when you haven't turned on the machine.
Introduction
Some people keep their massage chairs in the bedroom, some in the living room, while some prefer their study area. It is the only kind of furniture that can go well in any area of your house. In fact, a modern and stylish massage chair uplifts the fashion quotient of your entire home.
Have you ever wondered what these massage chairs are made of? They sure look like they are made of leather, but are they?
When the massage chair concept came into existence, they sure used to be made of pure leather. However, the manufacturers started receiving disturbing feedback from their customers.
They soon realized that leather wasn't the best material for a massage chair's upholstery. In today's time, 99% of massage chairs are made of synthetic leather, also known as faux leather.
Benefits of synthetic leather upholstery over genuine leather in a massage chair
1. Synthetic leather is extremely durable
Real leather is incredibly sensitive to pressure and has high stiffness. Because of its sensitive nature and stiffness, it cannot bear the pressure of massage rollers. 3D and 4D massage rollers extend to some inches from the backrest to penetrate muscle and tissues. A genuine leather upholstery gets stretched-up because of the roller actions.
However, synthetic leather or faux leather is a highly durable material. It can withstand the pressure from the rollers and lasts very long without any wear and tear. It doesn't get stretched-up because of the extendable rollers.
2. Synthetic leather can be dyed if the color gets faded
If your massage chair's upholstery is made up of leather, its color will fade up over time. If it is exposed to direct sunlight, the color will fade even faster. You cannot dye a leather body.
In the case of faux leather, the process of discoloration isn't as fast as it is in real leather. Even if the faux leather's color gets faded, it can easily be dyed. After recoloring the material, it'll look like a brand new massage chair.
3. Synthetic leather is low-maintenance compared to real leather
Real leather is absorbent in nature. Sweat usually comes out from a user's body during an intense massage session.
The leather upholstery absorbs the sweat and damages the fine material linings. It also gets difficult to clean a leather massage chair. You will need to be extra careful with the pressure you apply while wiping the outer surface.
However, synthetic leather is exceptionally low maintenance when it comes to cleaning. It doesn't absorb sweat, and you can wipe it out using a wet sponge wipe or a damp cloth.
4. Synthetic leather is best for heat therapy
Almost all the massage chairs offer heat therapy. Kahuna Heated Full Body Massage Chair, Infinity IT-8500 PLUS Massage Chair, Osaki OS-PRO Yamato Massage Chair, and many other chairs are famous for their heat therapies. Because synthetic leather is breathable, the heat gets transferred effectively from the heating elements to the desired body areas.
Genuine leather is not breathable. It'll eventually crack after getting heated up. Also, it won't transfer heat as effectively as faux leather.
Can You Reupholster Your Massage Chair?
Reupholstering a massage chair means stripping down your old massage chair's outer surface and padding and replacing them with the new ones. Reupholstering is common in typical furniture like sofa, padded chairs, and others. However, can your massage chair be reupholstered? Absolutely, yes!
You can either hire a good massage chair upholsterer or just do it yourself. It is a time-consuming process and might take weeks.
However, reupholstery can add many more years to your massage chair's life. Some premium massage chairs are expensive affairs, and you'd want to use them for as long as possible. By reupholstering your old massage chair instead of buying a new one, you will save a lot of money.
Is Reupholstering Your Massage Chair Worth It?
If you are getting the reupholstery done by a professional, you will have to pay their labor charge ($500-$1000) along with the cost of new synthetic leather's upholstery and paddings. If you are going to do it yourself, you will save the labor charges. However, is it really worth it?
If your chairs' essential massage functions are functioning perfectly and it's just the upholstery that's damaged, you can invest in a complete reupholstery.
However, if your chair's massage robot is malfunctioning, then investing in it isn't worth your time, efforts, and money. You should buy a new massage chair instead of spending thousands of dollars remaking your old massage chair. Check out some of the best massage chairs for sale under $2000.
When should you consider reupholstering your massage chair?
You should only consider reupholstering your massage chair when:
- The outer surface is damaged, and you can no longer claim the warranty.
- The internal massage mechanism, air compressors, heating elements, reclining mechanism, and structure are sound.
- You know a professional reupholster who can be trusted and doesn't leave you in the middle of the work.
- You have the tools and complete knowledge if you are doing it yourself.
- It is more economical and practical than buying a brand new massage chair.
Final Thoughts
If you properly maintain your massage chair, it will last much longer than you can ever expect. To know more about it, read: How Do You Maintain A Massage Chair? The lifespan of a massage chair mainly depends on its build-quality, usage, and maintenance.
Sometimes, reupholstering can be even more expensive than buying a brand new chair. Everything depends on the quality of synthetic leather you choose and the working conditions of your massage chair's mechanism.
In such cases, you should invest your money in buying a new massage chair for sale. It'll not only be economically beneficial for you, but it'll also bring a fresh warranty period. Please get in touch with us at (833) 627-7245 or chat with us through live chat to book a new massage chair for sale.
*Please note*: We Do Not Offer Reupholstering services.
