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Outdoor Furniture Fabric: You’ve come a long way Baby!
Outdoor furniture fabric is a new and innovative concept that many are realizing they can’t live without. Beautiful, sophisticated and classy is what is used to describe these outdoor jewels. For those that haven’t been introduced to these extraordinary fabrics, allow me to give you a thorough depiction of beauty and strength unified. Remember the outdoor fabrics of the past? We have all fallen victim to being enticed by those mass manufactured outdoor cushions that would be located in the front entryway or in the home and garden sections of a supermarket. They always looked great in the store but after one season of the brutal sun, wind and heavy rain, they were more reminiscent of a tattered thrift store cushion that could have been thirty years old, faded worn and flat.
The outdoor furniture fabrics of today are durable, fade and mold/mildew resistant, and yes, don’t forget, gorgeous! It’s all thanks to a revolutionary method called solution dyed fabric. Solution dying is a process that happens during the liquid state, acrylic fibers are melted down and colored throughout the acrylic fiber, and this allows the color to stay true to its hue without the worry of fading. Most other fabrics are only dyed on the outer layer of the fibers which results in short lived color. Strength is another characteristic of this acrylic fiber. When acrylic fabric was first made, it was often thought “cheap” and not as valuable as natural fiber. Some early acrylic fabrics weren’t comfortable yet new manufacturing processes have solved these problems, and now many people prefer acrylic to natural fibers in their clothing as well as their outdoor fabrics. Acrylic is easier to care for and can handle the outdoor elements.
Outdoor furniture fabrics like Sunbrella, Outdura and Belladura have made their mark in this industry by proving resilient, long lasting and beautiful outdoor cushions are possible. Notice this refurbished wicker sofa seat adorned in elegant Merritt Mint Sunbrella fabric. It's not the sort of fabric that you would normally see outdoors but these are just a taste of how the classy, sophisticated look of indoor furniture fabrics can grace your outdoors as well.
Outdoor fabrics have also integrated another helpful selling point to the consumer, "environmentally friendly". During the making of the fabrics there is little water used, low amounts of energy used to manufacture the products and best of all, produces no harmful industrial waste to the environment. "Recycling is an important part of our commitment to sustainability and the environment. For over 20 years, Glen Raven has recycled Sunbrella acrylic manufacturing waste into industrial products such as felt, insulation, and padding. Some of this waste is up-cycled into novelty yarns for use in decorative Sunbrella."[1]
In 2007, Bella-Dura began recycling old fabrics into resin pellets which became another helpful solution to our Earths plight. Consumers and retailers can now recycle old fabrics that will in turn become car parts, plant containers and even truck bed liners. And that’s not all! The outdoor furniture fabric choices are endless. There are stripes, solids and patterned material that will compliment any outdoor design aesthetic. Beauty and brains, outdoor furniture fabric has earned our respect and admiration.
[1]Source: Glenn Raven.com
Article by Anita Winter
Outdoor Fabrics are Welcomed Indoors
There have been considerable changes in outdoor fabrics. No longer are they uncomfortable, hard coated, limited design option fabrics. They have been treated as special textiles that can bring the beauty and sophistication of the indoors to outdoor living spaces.
What about using your outdoor fabrics inside your home? It may seem ludicrous at first but when you're looking at fabrics that are soft, luxurious in design, it has to make you wonder; maybe it's not so crazy after all. Consider your sofa; it is a furniture piece that takes more abuse than any other furniture piece in your home so why wouldn't you want strong durable fabric upholstering your couch? You can have beautiful fabrics adorning your furniture without the worry of staining, fading or mildewing.Through innovative processing of textiles such as solution dying, which actually colors the fibers throughout during the liquid state, fabrics become fade resistance and durable beyond belief without compromising beauty and attractiveness. More home owners are thinking about the long term investments of their furniture and accessories. Having to replace cushions, upholstery or throw pillows because of stains or other eye sores can be very expensive. So why not invest in higher quality material that is built to last. Sunbrella indoor/outdoor fabrics are the ideal choice for your indoor and outdoor applications. The varieties of selections are endless. Beautiful floral, sophisticated stripes and modern solids are what Sunbrella fabrics offer. Sunbrella has even earned the Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation for the ability to block out harmful UVA and UVB rays. So next time you decide to purchase an outdoor umbrella made with an awning grade material, these are some of the benefits you'll enjoy. Sunbrella has also come out with a High Point Collection. These are high end designer fabrics that are perfect for indoor uses such as throw pillows, bolster pillows, furniture upholstery or cushions.
If you are thinking of redecorating your home don't push away the idea of using outdoor fabrics inside your home. Fabrics like these are long lasting and great quality materials that will not disappoint.
Article by Anita Winter
