If you want to create a beautiful and long-lasting outdoor space, the quality and type of outdoor fabric you choose will play a major role in accomplishing your goals. Durable fabrics are essential for patios, pool areas, or any outdoor living space, as they can withstand the elements, maintain their aesthetic appeal, and remain comfortable over time.
Different Outdoor Upholstery Fabric Materials
Trivantage offers an impressive range of outdoor fabric materials and material blends to suit diverse application needs and customer styles:
Acrylic Upholstery Fabric
Acrylic upholstery fabrics offer many benefits to outdoor furniture and maintaining any exterior decor. Generally, you can expect the following from acrylic materials:
- Properties: UV resistant, colorfast, mildew resistant, and durable.
- Common Uses: Versatile for outdoor furniture upholstery, cushions, drapery, umbrellas, awning, canopies, and more.
- Average Lifespan: Extremely durable and long-lasting, often exceeding 10 years with proper care.
- Features: Breathable, stain-resistant, and typically easy to clean.
- Trivantage Products:
- Sunbrella® Upholstery Fabric
- Sunbrella Sling (Polyester & Sunbrella Acrylic blend)
Vinyl Upholstery Fabric
Vinyl upholstery fabric is an exceptionally versatile material commonly used in marine applications, outdoor furniture, automotive, and other moisture-prone seating found at bars, restaurants, and salons.
- Properties: Waterproof, durable, easy to clean, and UV resistant.
- Common Uses: Marine upholstery applications, sun pads, restaurant booths, bar stools, and moisture-prone locations.
- Average Lifespan: Can last between 5-15 years depending on a variety of factors like fabric quality, upkeep, usage frequency, and environment.
- Features: Resists bacteria growth, can resist cold-cracking, often bleach cleanable.
- Trivantage Products:
PVC-Coated Polyester Sling & Upholstery Fabric
PVC coated polyester fabric is a long-trusted, versatile, and weather-resistant material ideal for outdoor furniture, cording, upholstery fringe, and more. It is also a cost-effective option, offering a balance between performance and affordability.
- Properties: Strong, abrasion-resistant, quick-drying, UV resistant when treated.
- Common Uses: Sling furniture, outdoor upholstery, and cushions used in high-traffic areas or in regions with high humidity.
- Average Lifespan: Moderate durability, may last several years with careful maintenance.
- Features: May offer water-repellent and mildew-resistant finishes.
- Trivantage Products:
Olefin Upholstery & Sling Fabric
Olefin and Olefin blends are an excellent option for sling furniture that requires the perfect blend of strength, softness, and weather-resistance.
- Properties: Known for strength, stain resistance, and quick-drying capabilities.
- Common Uses: Outdoor sling furniture, cushions, pillows, rugs, and carpets.
- Average Lifespan: Quite durable, with a typical lifespan of 5-10+ years, depending on usage and maintenance.
- Features: Abrasion- and fade-resistant while remaining soft and pliable.
- Trivantage Products:
Factors That Impact Fabric Durability and Longevity
It is crucial to choose the appropriate outdoor fabric, but understanding the factors that can affect its lifespan is even more important for maximizing your investment. Here's a deeper look:
- UV Exposure: UV rays are notorious for ruining outdoor fabrics. Prolonged exposure can cause unsightly fading, weakened fibers, and reduced lifespans, especially with less fade-resistant fabrics. Look for solution-dyed acrylic options (like Sunbrella) for superior colorfastness and UV resistance.
- Moisture: Rain, humidity, and even pooled water on outdoor cushions or furniture can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Water-resistant and mildew-resistant fabrics help to facilitate proper drainage and air circulation for your outdoor furniture.
- Abrasion: Constant rubbing, friction, or even harsh weather conditions can cause your outdoor fabrics to fray, pill, or tear over time.
- Stains: From food and drinks to bird droppings and tree sap, stains are nearly impossible to avoid. However, fabrics with stain-resistant properties make cleaning easier while adding a much-needed layer of protection for your outdoor upholstery.
- Cleaning Practices: Harsh bleach-based cleaners, improper cleaning techniques, or even neglect can shorten the lifespan of your outdoor fabric. For best results, be sure to follow the cleaning instructions recommended by the manufacturer of your specific fabric type.
- Quality Matters: The quality of your fabric is just as important (if not more important) than how well you take care of it. As such, investing in high-performance fabrics often translates to a longer lifespan compared to lower-quality options.
- Climate: Intense sun, heavy rainfall, or extreme temperatures can make your fabric deteriorate faster than it otherwise would under ideal conditions. For these reasons, it’s best to consider your local climate when selecting a suitable type of fabric.
- Usage: Everyday use of outdoor furniture or even heavy foot traffic in areas with outdoor fabric rugs will require more durable fabrics that are built to withstand wear and tear.
It’s important to note that overall durability can vary greatly based on specific fabric types, uses, finishes, climate, and other factors. Need help deciding which fabric works best for your next project? Contact Trivantage today to speak with a professional.
Finding the Best Outdoor Upholstery Fabrics at Trivantage
At Trivantage, we pride ourselves on our wide selection of high-quality outdoor fabrics. Take a look at our collection and discover the perfect fabrics to elevate outdoor spaces from mundane to stunning.
Upholstery Fabric
Your outdoor seats should be comfy, durable, and beautiful. We’re here to help you find the perfect outdoor furniture upholstery that’ll make your neighbors jealous. Choose from our extensive collection of breathable acrylics, stain-resistant olefins, and versatile blends in a wide array of textures and colors to suit your tastes and needs.
Browse our Upholstery Fabric collection
