Upholstery fabrics are fabrics used to reupholster your old furniture, but you can also create other items, such as curtains and pillowcases, using these types of fabrics. You should check its quality, ease of maintenance, and how well it avoids fading and soil when collecting upholstery fabric.
In addition to that, be mindful that the higher the thread count, the more tightly woven the fabric is and the better it will look when buying upholstery fabric or upholstered furniture. If you are not aware of this specific fabric, then this guide might help you.
Types of Upholstery Fabrics
Nylon
They are, however, considered durable fabrics. You seldom see people using this sort of fabric on their own. To prevent crushing of napped fabrics, some people can use fabric such as velvet to go along with nylon.
When using this type of fabric, one thing to note is that when cleaning, it requires a special object, solvent-based cleaners. And, it is very susceptible when exposed to high sunlight and can fade.
Cotton
Cotton is intended to add a comfortable feel to your furniture with comfort and stability. It is fantastic for longevity and fading resistance but is prone to stains. Also, cleaning it is not a problem since you can easily wash it with soap and water, thus, perfect for sofa covers.
It is also inexpensive compared to other upholstery fabrics available in the market. However, this type of fabric may wrinkle.
Linen
For both casual and formal areas, linen is considered a decent upholstery fabric. It prevents pilling and soiling naturally, but it can easily wrinkle. But, it is known to wrinkle easily. When cleaning, it needs to be washed professionally to prevent damaging the fabric.
In addition to that, for curtains, this sort of upholstery fabric is fine. It is thick, durable, and effective and has a distinctive beauty. If you have an unusual window size, you can opt to try a custom made to measure curtain.
Polyester
Synthetic fibres such as polyester are more resistant to fading and staining than natural fibres, which are ideal for outdoor upholstery. This type of fabric, such as cotton, is often mixed with others to make it more durable.
A piece of advice when buying polyester is not to purchase products mixed with wool because they are prone to pilling.
Vinyl
Compared with leather, a more affordable cloth. High-quality vinyl material is durable and suitable for furniture often used in a family and your office. The easiest way to clean this fabric is with a damp cloth or a vacuum cleaner.
Furthermore, it may not be as long-lasting as leather, but it will certainly last longer than you expect with proper care and maintenance. This product has components that make it solid and resilient in various amounts, such as chlorine, natural gas ethylene, and plasticizing agents.
Things to Consider Before Buying Upholstery Fabrics
Durability
One of the key factors before buying fabric is its durability. When you purchase an upholstery fabric, you may encounter the term double rub.
What do you mean by double rub? With a back-and-forth motion, the double-rub test is finished, close to the wear that happens when someone sits down and gets up again. Before the fabric displays noticeable wear, the amount of double rubs provides the ranking. The higher the number of double rubs, the longer the fabric will last.
Maintenance
How often you clean and how you clean it is also a factor that you might want to consider when buying an upholstery fabric. Many people prioritise this over the aesthetics of the fabrics. Some fabrics need a thorough cleaning and would require a professional, while some would just need a single wipe.
Takeaway
When choosing the right fabric, remember to choose the one that will make you and your home complete. The look and functionality of your furniture can be fully transformed by recovering old furniture with new fabric. Be sure to choose a fabric that is simple to work with and ideal for the degree of use of the piece.