Understanding Outdoor Fabrics

Outdoor fabrics are high-performance fabrics that offer benefits such as UV resistance, soil and stain resistance, mildew resistance, high abrasion results and fire retardancy to modern outdoor furniture. Some even have the additional value of being machine washable. A prized capability when washability is required and/or desired.

Engineered specifically for outdoor use, these high-performing fabrics are durable, low maintenance and have excellent sunlight resistance. Technological advancements in outdoor yarns mean nowadays outdoor fabrics have a more natural appearance and softer feel than ever before. This helps improve the overall look and feel of modern outdoor furniture serving to create a more relaxed homely feel. The inherent qualities of outdoor fabrics offer flexibility to be used in a variety of outdoor settings, especially in spaces with direct sunlight and weather.

You’ll find good quality outdoor fabrics are woven with the tried and tested fibres of solution dyed acrylic and solution dyed olefin/polyolefin/polypropylene, and outdoor vinyl fabrics will have a high PVC content. These compositions will provide the best performance with benefits in both the quality and longevity of your fabric.

Two high-performing outdoor-specific fabrics offered in our FrancoCrea collections are outdoor velvet and outdoor leather-look vinyl. Below we share the features and benefits for each.

The features & benefits of Outdoor Velvet

		Durability Withstands even the strongest sunlight and UV exposure.
		Toughness Its lifespan will outlast all natural fibres and will not fade or degrade.
		Ease of cleaning Easily cleaned and air dries quickly, plus bleach-cleanable for stubborn stains. Machine washable at 30 degrees Celsius
		Water Resistant Water repels allowing it to easily drain away.
		Resilient Soil, mould and antimicrobial resistant.
		Colour fastness Colour is permeated throughout the fibre – not only on the surface, resulting in excellent colour fastness to light.

The features & benefits of Outdoor Vinyl

		Durability Withstands even the strongest sunlight and UV exposure.
		Toughness Its lifespan will outlast all natural fibres and will not fade or degrade.
		Ease of cleaning Easily cleaned and air dries quickly, plus bleach-cleanable for stubborn stains.
		Water Resistant Water repels allowing it to easily drain away.
		Resilient Soil, mould, and antimicrobial resistant.

When upholstering for the outdoors, it is important good quality outdoor fabric is partnered with high-quality outdoor-specific foams. An outdoor reticulated foam has an open cell density to allow water to pass through easily and drain away ensuring cushions and seat pads dry quickly and maintain their shape, comfort, and durability. They typically come in three densities – soft, medium, and firm and are a must for the longevity of modern outdoor furniture.

Technological advances mean wonderful solutions for modern outdoor furniture are available. We encourage you to visit our Adelaide and Melbourne showrooms to experience the full range of outdoor velvets and vinyls on offer.

Melbourne showroom

259 Swan Street, Richmond, Victoria 3121

Adelaide showroom

442 Pulteney Street, Adelaide, South Australia 5000