So you want an outdoor fabric that is going to go the distance and survive the exposure in the outdoor elements, preferably until the end of time? So what should you consider when shopping for an outdoor fabric?
Outdoor cushions, upholstery, umbrellas and patio furniture generally will be living in an environment that may have extremes of temperature, extremes in light and extreme ‘wear and tear’ if ever the dog decides to take issue with a cushion or other item into which you’ve incorporated your outdoor fabric.
Fortunately, the very composition outdoor fabrics often provide many benefits that directly address problems that fabric not designed specifically for outdoor use may be susceptible.
Outdoor Fabrics that are made out of synthetic materials tend to be less prone to microbial and bacterial attack, especially if the fabric becomes wet frequently.
Synthetic materials as well as being anti-microbial/bacterial also tend to be much less prone to odours, at least natural odours.
Salt? Many outdoor fabrics because of their composition and treatments, also make them excellent for marine use in salt-water conditions.
If you buy fabric specifically designed for the outdoors, then it is likely to be coloured with colourfast dyes which offer increased protection against UV light which can cause the fabric to fade or the fading that can occur through frequent washing.
Outdoor fabrics are most often washable, a definite plus but do read the care instructions provided by the manufacturer carefully – you wouldn’t want to wash off a chemical that may be providing some or all of the protection!
If you are using outdoor fabric for say cushion covers or other upholstery applications, it is important to ensure that the inserts are either waterproof or comprise waterproof filling. It’s not much fun having an odour resistant cover if the insert is going to raise eyebrows after living in a hostile environment for which it was not intended. Consider polypropylene covers for your inserts and make sure the inserts themselves are 100% waterproof.
And don’t forget. Just because the fabric is classified as being for outdoor use, it doesn’t mean it can only be used to serve your outdoor lifestyle. Modern outdoor fabrics often provide many of the features of their indoor counterparts but bring with them many additional benefits that present compelling reasons to consider them for both internal and external use.
With hundreds of outdoor fabrics available on our online store, we are bound to have something that will interest you. Do check the product pages which often have manufacturer brochures available for download. And don’t be shy, do order some free cuttings if they are available for your area – Best of all we ship all orders for free within Australia!
