When it comes to outdoor furniture, choosing the right fabric is super important to ensure it can withstand the elements whilst maintaining its beauty and comfort. Outdoor fabrics are designed to be durable, weather-resistant, and long-lasting so that your garden sofas and other pieces are protected from the sun's harsh rays, rain, wind, and other environmental factors.
In this post, we’ll take you through the best fabrics to consider for your garden furniture, as well as why your choices are important, what to consider and much more.
Why is fabric choice important for garden furniture?
The choice of fabric for protecting your garden furniture can impact everything from durability to aesthetics, as well as its overall comfort. In the UK, where weather conditions can be particularly unpredictable, selecting the right fabric becomes even more crucial. Here’s why fabric choice for your garden furniture matters so much:
1. Weather resistance
The UK's climate can subject garden furniture to a range of elements, including rain, strong sunlight, and fluctuating temperatures. Fabrics designed for outdoor use are typically made to be water-resistant, UV-resistant, and capable of withstanding temperature variations without degrading. Such materials ensure that garden furniture remains in good condition, colourfast, and free from mildew and mould growth regardless of the weather.
2. Durability
Outdoor furniture fabrics are subjected to more wear and tear than their indoor counterparts, due to constant exposure to the elements and the physical demands of outdoor use. High-quality outdoor fabrics are engineered to be tear-resistant, abrasion-resistant, and retain their shape, ensuring that garden furniture remains attractive and functional for longer periods.
3. Comfort
Comfort is paramount when it comes to garden furniture, as it directly impacts how much you will enjoy using it. Breathable, soft-to-the-touch fabrics can significantly enhance the comfort level. Moreover, the visual appeal of your garden space can be elevated by the choice of fabric. Outdoor fabric comes in a wide range of colours and patterns, allowing homeowners to personalise their outdoor spaces to reflect their style while complementing the garden's natural beauty.
4. Maintenance
The ease of cleaning garden furniture is largely influenced by which fabric you choose. Materials that are stain-resistant and easy to clean will reduce the time and effort needed to keep garden furniture looking pristine. Certain fabrics can simply be wiped clean or are machine washable, making it easier to manage spills and stains that are inevitable with outdoor use and al fresco dining.
5. Overall safety
Some outdoor fabrics are treated with fire retardants, making them safer to use in environments where barbecues or open flames might be present. This added safety feature is crucial for preventing accidents and ensuring the well-being of family and guests.
4 fabrics for garden furniture
1. Sunbrella®
Sunbrella® is a revolutionary outdoor performance fabric that has become the gold standard for luxury outdoor furniture. Invented in the 1960s, this innovative fabric was originally designed for the harsh marine environment, providing exceptional resistance to the sun's damaging UV rays, rain, mildew, and other outdoor elements.
Sunbrella® fabric is made from a unique blend of durable acrylic fibres that are solution-dyed, meaning the colour pigments are infused into the fibres themselves during the manufacturing process. This advanced colouring technique ensures that the vibrant hues remain rich and fade-resistant, even after years of exposure to intense sunlight.
One of the most remarkable properties of Sunbrella® is its water-repellent nature, which is why it's used in outdoor seating and garden furniture cushions. The fabric's tightly woven construction creates a surface that easily sheds moisture, preventing water from penetrating and causing mildew or rot. This makes it an ideal choice for outdoor cushions, allowing them to dry quickly after a rain shower.
In addition to its weather-resistant qualities, Sunbrella® fabric is incredibly easy to maintain. Its smooth surface resists stains and can be easily cleaned with mild soap and water, ensuring your outdoor furniture looks fresh and inviting for years to come.
Why Sunbrella® is the go-to fabric for outdoor furniture?
Sunbrella® fabric sets the standard for outdoor furniture, due to its durability and longevity as a result of its acrylic base known to withstand extreme sunlight, rain, and humidity without fading or degrading. Sunbrella® fabric is easy to clean, resistant to mildew and stains and can be maintained with simple soap and water.
Plus, it’s also used as a common material for winter covers on outdoor furniture frames due to its breathability in wet conditions.
2. Olefin
Whilst Sunbrella® is widely regarded as the superior outdoor fabric, several other materials are commonly used for outdoor furniture and cushions. A close alternative to Sunbrella® is Olefin.
Olefin is a synthetic fibre known for its exceptional strength, colour fastness, and resistance to abrasion, mildew, and stains. This makes it an excellent choice for outdoor furniture, as it can withstand harsh weather conditions and heavy use. However, olefin fabrics can feel coarse and lack the softness of other materials, so it may require a topper if being sat on for long periods of time.
3. Acrylic
Acrylic is a synthetic fibre that mimics the softness and drape of natural fibres like cotton or wool. It is highly resistant to fading, mildew, and moisture, making it a popular choice for outdoor cushions and upholstery. Acrylic fabrics are also relatively affordable and easy to clean. However, if acrylic is used alone, it can be less durable than other synthetic options.
4. Polyester
Polyester is a versatile and affordable synthetic fabric that offers excellent resistance to fading, mildew, and moisture. Whilst also easy to clean and maintain, polyester can feel less breathable and comfortable than natural fibres. It may be more suitable for use in milder temperatures in seasons like spring and autumn instead.
What to consider when choosing garden furniture fabric
Now that we know the types of common garden furniture fabric, you’ll want to consider the following before making your choice:
1. Weather resistance
Outdoor fabrics must be able to withstand various weather conditions, including rain, wind, and extreme temperatures, without fading, mildewing, or deteriorating. This is especially true for the UK climate as it’s relatively unpredictable, mild and wet.
2. UV resistance
No matter how well-reinforced fabrics are, prolonged exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause fabrics to fade, weaken, and break down over time. To make your fabric last as long as possible, outdoor fabrics with excellent UV resistance ratings are essential for maintaining their vibrant colours and structural integrity.
3. Durability and comfort
Outdoor furniture fabrics must be tough and resilient to withstand the wear and tear of regular use, as well as the potential for spills, dirt, and other outdoor hazards. And whilst durability is important, outdoor fabrics should also prioritise comfort, offering breathability, softness, and a pleasant texture for an enjoyable lounging experience.
How can I extend the life of my outdoor furniture fabrics?
To maximise the lifespan of your outdoor furniture fabrics, be sure to take proper care and maintenance steps like regular cleaning and brushing off dirt and debris. You’ll also want to ensure your fabrics aren't exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. When possible, store or cover the furniture during harsh weather or extended periods of non-use. If you must leave your garden furniture out, consider using outdoor furniture covers or storing the pieces indoors during the off-season to protect them from the elements.
Which is the best fabric for outdoor furniture for my garden?
This is totally dependent on your garden’s décor, the direction it faces, whether it receives ample (or little) shade from the elements and more. For a catch-all, we highly recommend using Sunbrella® fabric, as it’s the most durable of the lot. However, if you only have your garden furniture out for short periods, you can consider others on our list such as polyester and acrylic - particularly if you feel it will match your furniture better.
If you’re still unsure, we recommend ordering fabric samples to really get an idea of how they’ll look and feel in your garden.
We hope this has given you a good idea of which outdoor fabric to choose for your garden furniture! Still unsure? Order a fabric sample pack from us and be sure to check out our garden furniture collections.
