Fabrics Used in Upholstery
- Synthetic fabrics for upholstery are often a first choice for furniture that gets a lot of use. These fabrics are durable and stain resistant. Olefin, commonly, known by the brand name Herculon, is loosely woven and requires latex backing. It has a tweedy, bulky appearance. Nylon is known for its strength, resistance to sunlight and easy care. The fabric has either a silky appearance or wool-like texture. Another popular synthetic fabric for high use furniture is microfiber, a tightly woven fabric that is a combination of nylon and polyester. Its resemblance to natural suede and the availability of many solid colors has made it a popular choice for upholstery.
- Cotton fabrics work well on upholstered pieces that get minimal use and are not in the vicinity of direct sunlight. This natural fiber is less stain-resistant than blends or synthetics. Linen, with its beautiful texture, adds a designer touch to any room. Used for upholstery, linen might be too fragile for heavy-use pieces of furniture; it also can fade and disintegrate with constant exposure to sunlight. Linen is one of the more expensive upholstery fabric choices.
- In the past, leather upholstery probably conjured up a picture of a dark paneled library or den. However, leather is often the upholstery fabric of choice for sofas and chairs in all rooms of the house. You can select from many designer colors besides the old standby, brown. Leather makes a suitable upholstery fabric for young families with active kids because of its ease of maintenance. Special leather cleaners and conditions are available to keep the fabric beautiful and help it last for years.
- Fabric blends are popular as they offer beauty and durability. Add a synthetic fiber to cotton and the fabric becomes more durable, colorfast and stain-resistant. Wool is often teamed with polyester fibers to upholster heavily used pieces of furniture. Luxurious silk blended with a synthetic fiber creates a more durable fabric that retains the original beauty of the silk.
