Although color seems to be the most important reason people chose fabric, there are other factors that should be considered as well. Factors like style and durability, as well pets, fade resistance, and ease of cleaning, should also be taken into account before making a final decision. With that said, it can still be difficult to narrow down your choice without enough information. Here we’ll look at the different traits of fabrics, which will help make your decision a little easier.
Fabrics fall under two categories: natural fabrics and man-made fabrics. Natural fabrics are cotton, cotton blends, leather, linen, silk, wool, ramie and hemp. Man-made fabrics are acrylic, microfiber, vinyl, rayon, olefin, nylon, acetate and triacetate. Each has their positive and negative points, but once you take your needs into account, you’ll be able to figure out what will work best.
When it comes to fabric durability, think about where the piece of furniture will be. Will it be in a high traffic area like a family room or will it be a formal piece that won’t get as much wear? As a general rule, woven patterns will hold up longer than printed ones. Fabrics with higher thread counts will also be very durable.
Fabric swatches have a fabric wearability code, which will help you determine if the particular fabric will meet your needs. If you are at the fabric store and are unable to find this code, ask the salesperson for help.
A double rub test is used to determine fabric strength. The double rub, is a back and forth motion that gives an approximation of the wear and tear. 3,000 double rubs are equivalent to one year’s worth of use.
Heavy duty (HD) fabrics withstand more than 15,000 double rubs. These fabrics tend to be stiffer and thicker than most fabrics. With that said, newer blends are now available, which give you more supple and softer options. Heavy-duty fabrics are a great choice for family rooms.
Medium duty (MD) fabrics withstand between 9,000 to 15,000 double rubs. The fabrics are a bit more versatile, making them perfect for family rooms, as well as living rooms.
Light duty (LD) fabrics can handle about 3,000 to 9,000 double rubs. These fabrics are more delicate, only withstanding one to three years of regular use. This fabric is best on pieces that get minimal use like formal dining room chairs or for sofas and chairs in formal sitting rooms.
Delicate duty (DD) fabrics should only be used on pillows or purely decorative furniture. This is because it withstands 3,000 double rubs or less.
Other tips when it comes to fabric:
- Color is important, so make sure your choice is appropriate for the room and its purpose.
- Keep fabrics that fade out of direct sunlight.
- If you live in a humid climate, look for mildew-resistant fabric.
- Microfibers are best at keeping certain allergens to a minimum.
- Avoid delicate fabrics if you have indoor pets.
Keep in mind that quality fabric doesn’t necessarily mean expensive fabric. So before you buy, shop around. Visit us at Interior Fabrics in Houston, Tx, tell us what you need and let us help guide you to the right choice. Fabric and furniture is an investment, so make sure you gather as much information as you can before you make a final purchase.
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