What Fabric Is Used for Outdoor Furniture?
Outdoor furniture is designed to be able to withstand varying weather conditions, so the fabric used must be strong and durable. Polyester, acrylic, and olefin are some of the most popular and commonly used fabrics for outdoor furniture. Polyester is a synthetic material that is lightweight and resistant to stretching, shrinking and wrinkling.
It also has great color retention, so it won’t fade when exposed to sunlight. Acrylic fabrics are known for their ability to repel water, making them great for outdoor furniture that needs to stay dry in wet weather. Olefin is a synthetic material that is very strong and resists fading, staining and mildewing.
When selecting fabric for outdoor furniture, it’s important to consider the environment where it will be used. If it will be in direct sunlight for long periods of time, then a UV-resistant fabric like Sunbrella may be a better choice than polyester or acrylic.
Sunbrella fabrics also have excellent color retention, so they won’t fade quickly over time. For areas with a lot of moisture or dampness, such as near a pool or lake, an olefin fabric might be best suited because it has superior water repelling properties.
It’s also important to choose fabrics that are easy to clean and maintain. Polyester can typically be spot cleaned with mild detergents or machine washed on gentle cycle with cold water; however, some types of polyester can shrink if washed in hot water or dried at high temperatures in a dryer.
Acrylic can usually be wiped down with warm water and mild detergent; however, it can become brittle if exposed to too much heat or light over time. Olefin can usually just be vacuumed or spot cleaned with mild detergent; however, it should not be machine washed since its fibers can weaken when wet.
Conclusion:
When selecting fabric for outdoor furniture there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration such as environmental conditions and the level of maintenance required. Popular fabric options include polyester which resists stretching and shrinking; acrylic which repels water; and olefin which resists fading staining and mildewing.
