Tips for Choosing Outdoor Fabrics
When selecting fabric for outdoor furniture, you must consider both its functionality and aesthetic appeal. Your textile must withstand UV rays, rainfall and changing temperatures without disintegrating over time.
Polyester solution dye and dyed acrylic fabrics are popular choices for outdoor furniture due to their durability, fade resistance, and water-resistance features. Plus, their colorful patterns add visual interest.
Comfort
No matter if you’re an enthusiastic homeowner looking to revamp your backyard lounge or an experienced hospitality designer working on an exciting new project, selecting outdoor fabrics can have a profound effect on both experiences. When considering all available options, factors like weather resistance, durability, sustainability, versatility and comfort should all play into the final selection process – Rhinotuff fabrics stand out by excelling in these categories – guaranteeing you years of enjoyable furniture use!
Outdoor fabrics made of natural fibers combined with synthetic materials for increased strength and longevity make the best outdoor fabrics. This combination gives rise to durable yet flexible materials capable of withstanding high traffic areas as well as unpredictable weather conditions, creating something both luxurious and casual; Marimekko’s lobster fabric made of recycled polyester features an eye-catching pattern.
Fabric Outlet Sunspoken offers another popular choice – acrylic fabric – which is constructed using synthetic fibers made of acrylonitrile plastic, making it highly durable against abrasion, salt corrosion, mildew growth and UV fading while remaining breathable and soft to the touch.
While all outdoor fabrics will fade eventually, you can reduce this process by selecting fabrics with higher UV ratings or lightfastness hours ratings – the higher this number, the longer your fabric can remain exposed to sunlight without fading.
Fabric that can easily be cleaned should also be considered, with many high-performance outdoor fabrics designed to be spot cleaned as soon as dirt or stains occur. Some are even machine-washable so you can quickly change out covers seasonally or as necessary.
Rhinotuff’s advanced weaving techniques offer unparalleled strength and durability, so your furniture will remain sturdy for many years to come. Rhinotuff fabrics provide long-term wear resistance with their superior weaving methods; you’re assured your outdoor furniture won’t deteriorate under regular wear and tear.
Durability
Fabric for outdoor furniture adds both charm and personality, as well as comfort and functionality. From living room chairs and cushioned dining chairs to awnings, selecting fabric that accentuates its style is critical.
Fabric longevity depends on its ability to withstand prolonged sun, rain and general wear and tear. Two critical properties determine fabric durability: abrasion resistance and colorfastness.
Abrasion resistance refers to the ability of fabric to resist fraying or pilling due to constant friction or contact. Fabrics with higher ratings tend to last longer, making high-performance fabrics such as olefin and polyester great choices for outdoor seating and cushions.
Moisture resistance is also key when considering fabric durability; moisture can lead to mold, mildew and rot that not only looks bad but poses serious health hazards for those sitting on it. Moisture-resistant fabrics help avoid these problems by allowing water vaporization quickly while air circulation continues smoothly.
Durability can also be measured in terms of fabric material, weave, and thread count. A tighter weave with higher thread count may help it stand up better against heavy use and cleaning than looser fabrics, with high-quality fabrics featuring a low snag point that are easily washable.
Climate and geographic location should also be taken into account when selecting fabric for outdoor furniture. UV rays from sunlight may degrade less durable fabrics over time, which is why it’s crucial to choose fade-resistant and UV protection treated fabrics.
One of the most durable and fade-resistant outdoor fabrics is dyed acrylic fabric like Sunbrella. Woven tightly with an antimicrobial finish that makes it resistant to UV rays, stains, mold, mildew, its lifespan can exceed 10 years with proper care and maintenance.
Aesthetics
Outdoor fabrics should not only be practical and durable; they must also be visually appealing. This means ensuring they fit with the overall design of your space and accent other elements of decor seamlessly. When selecting fabric, take note of its color, texture, pattern and hue for optimal aesthetic effect; bold hues or patterns may add flair while neutral or earthy tones can provide warmth and coziness in equal measure.
There are various fabrics to meet your aesthetic preferences, from natural fibers like cotton, wool, silk and linen to synthetic options such as polyester, acrylic and Sunbrella. Natural fibers offer soft yet luxurious touches ideal for outdoor seating areas that need comfort and breathability; however they may need special care in order to remain looking their best.
Synthetic fabrics offer an economical yet long-term solution for high traffic areas. Their design incorporates treatments that make them fade-, water-, and stain-proof; making it the ideal choice for hospitality spaces or high traffic environments that demand performance alongside style.
Beauty and aesthetics are highly subjective concepts, depending on one’s personal taste and preference. Some may prefer more minimalist or modern approaches while others enjoy vibrant or traditional styles. What matters most is finding fabric you enjoy that complements both your living space and furniture pieces in harmony.
To find the ideal fabric for your home, ask your upholstery dealer for fabric swatches that can be tested out in your environment. This will allow you to see how the fabric looks and feels with regard to lighting conditions, temperature and humidity as well as how well it withstands local climate. Additionally, ask for information regarding UV ratings as some fabrics are more sun-resistant than others – higher UV ratings mean your fabric can withstand sunbathing for longer.
Maintenance
Outdoor fabrics can withstand considerable wear from the elements. Spilled drinks, sauce-covered fingers and dirty shoes can all leave their mark, eventually staining or fraying fabric over time. When selecting fabric for outdoor furniture it must withstand these elements while being easily cleanable – something your choice should also take into consideration.
There are plenty of durable yet low maintenance fabrics for commercial projects available at Watson’s that can meet these criteria. Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics such as those found here may be particularly well suited to this task as they resist water seepage and UV exposure without fading over time.
Other durable fabrics include olefin and polyester. Olefin is an artificial fabric constructed from polyolefin (such as polypropylene or polyethylene). It offers stain, abrasion and mold resistance while withstanding high temperatures; however, due to limited colorfastness over time this fabric may fade over time.
Polyester fabric is another synthetic upholstery material popularly used. It offers superior wrinkle and scuff resistance, easy care cleaning and lightweight durability; however it doesn’t have a high UV rating so may fade over time.
For optimal fabric care and to avoid mold or mildew growth, it’s vital that you regularly clean them with warm soapy water and soft bristled brush. In addition, making sure your fabrics are covered at night or during wet weather will help prevent them from becoming damp and encouraging mould or mildew growth.
Watson’s offers durable, low-maintenance fabrics for commercial spaces at Watson’s that won’t break the bank. Our team only carries industry-renowned brands of upholstery furniture and fabrics by the yard, giving you peace of mind in your purchase. If any questions arise regarding which fabric would work best with your project, our knowledgeable staff are happy to help! To discover how Watson’s can bring your visions into reality contact us now.