Indoor Outdoor fabric is performance fabric that can be upholstered on indoor and outdoor furniture. Not all indoor performance fabrics can be used outdoor, but all outdoor performance fabrics can be used indoors. Indoor Outdoor upholstery fabric began with the need for stain resistant furniture fabric inside homes. Naturally, outdoor fabric was the first stain resistant fabric, so people started upholstering their living room furniture with outdoor fabric.
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The Performance Fabric category first began with outdoor fabric. People saw the superior performance of outdoor fabric and wanted to use outdoor fabric in their own homes. The inside out fabric category was born. With superior stain resistance and durability, could I use outdoor fabric inside? The answer is YES! What's the difference anyway?
Indoor and outdoor fabric has small differences that make them unique. Indoor fabric usually has a lesser UV rating. UV rating means sunlight' We cover this in another blog here.
Outdoor upholstery fabric needs extra protection because the fiber is exposed to weathering more than the fabrics inside of your living room. Outdoor fabrics are usually made of synthetic fibers. The outdoor fibers usually used to make outdoor fabrics are: Acrylic, Polypropylene, and Polyester. Polyester is great for a one-season product but will get the lowest UV test results. Acrylic and Polypropylene will perform the best depending on the UV stabilizers used in the fabric.
Outdoor yarns have a higher UV rating because if the added UV stabilizers. This enables the yarn to be in direct sunlight longer and will slow down the fading process. All outdoor fabrics will eventually fade. The industry usually uses lightfastness hours to determine and test fade resistance.
Outdoor fabrics usually have a chemical protectant that helps repel water and stains. This stain treatment comes in handy when the fabrics are used in the living-room. Outdoor fabric with stain-resistant qualities is perfect for those who have larger families and active lifestyles.
Of course! Outdoor fabric can be used indoors and will even last longer than indoor fibers like cotton or linen. Most Outdoor fabric has a finish that helps further protect the fabric then indoor upholstery fabric. The fabric protectant will prevent spills from seeping into to the cushion. Indoors, the outdoor fabric won't be in direct contact with UV exposure and rain/mildew and could last longer than being outside.
As fabric and fiber technology develops, more and more people are using outdoor fabrics indoors. Outdoor fabrics have gotten to the point where the yarns can be soft and the designs can be elegant.
For more outdoor fabric supplierinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Check out our Revolution Outdoor Fabric here.
Want to reupholster your outdoor furniture but feel overwhelmed by all the fabric options available to you? To help you choose, here's a quick overview of outdoor fabrics and what you need to know about each type.
Acrylic is an artificial fabric created from acrylonitrile, a derivative of polypropylene plastic. It makes a fantastic choice for outdoor fabric because of its durability. It's weather resistant, insect resistant, doesn't wrinkle or shrink, doesn't fade, and is easy to clean. On top of that, acrylic is amazingly soft, which makes sense, as scientists originally created it to be an alternative to wool! The Fabric Outlet Sunspoken line is 100% solution dyed acrylic, surpassing + hours rating.
Polyester is a unique resin that results from a chemical reaction. Manufacturers chiefly use it to create synthetic textile fibers. Polyester is strong, wrinkle- and scuff-resistant, easy to clean, and quick to dry. Compared to other similar fabrics, polyester is also lightweight.
Olefin is another artificial fabric that companies commonly use for outdoor furniture. It consists of a polyolefin, such as polypropylene or polyethylene. Like the other materials listed above, olefin is durable. It's stain-, abrasion-, and mold-resistant, and it also has excellent colorfastness. One con of olefin is that it breaks down under high heat, so it may not be the best choice for those searching for a fire-resistant fabric.
Last but not least on this quick overview of outdoor fabrics and what you should know about them is polypropylene. This is a fabric made of a thermoplastic polymer material. While very similar to olefin, it isn't the same thing. However, it does share many of the same benefits. It's strong and fade-, stain-, and moisture-resistant. Furthermore, it's very breathable. Also, like olefin, it breaks down at high temperatures, so it's not fire resistant.
At the Fabric Outlet, you'll find outdoor furniture upholstery galore! Our Solar Flair SNS fabrics are both durable and beautiful. They can transform your outdoor space into an oasis instantly. Shop for your next project today. Our Sunspoken line is tested rigorously to ensure it stands up to all life's messes!
Contact us to discuss your requirements of fabric mesh for garments. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.