Discover the game-changing benefits of performance upholstery fabrics
Performance fabrics refer to textiles engineered for durability, easy maintenance, and resistance to elements like stains, water, precipitation and UV rays. Unlike traditional home decor fabrics like cotton or linen, performance fabrics are designed to withstand frequent use and cleaning without wearing out quickly.
There are several key benefits that make performance fabrics desirable for many applications:
- Stain resistance allows spills and messes to be cleaned up easily. Different brands have varying degrees of stain resistance. With FibreGuard fabrics, for example, the stain resistant properties are permanent.
- Durability and longevity mean the fabric will retain its appearance despite heavy traffic and use.
- Ease of cleaning - performance fabrics can often be spot cleaned or wiped down.
- Retention of colour and appearance over time, even with exposure to sunlight.
- Options like waterproof coatings and UV resistance for outdoor use.
With these characteristics, performance fabrics provide an attractive option for busy households and high-traffic spaces prone to messes and daily wear-and-tear.
Typical Applications for Performance Fabrics
- Performance fabrics are ideal for high-traffic areas in the home where durability and easy cleanability are important. Spaces like family rooms, living rooms, and kids' bedrooms see a lot of wear-and-tear from daily use. Performance fabrics stand up well to heavy usage with minimal pilling, fraying or loss of appearance over time.
- Outdoor living spaces like patios, porches and sunrooms also benefit from performance fabrics. They are designed to withstand exposure to sunlight, moisture and mildew. Many performance fabric options come with waterproofing and UV-resistance built in.
- Kitchens and dining rooms are prone to spills, stains and messes on upholstered chairs and benches. Performance fabrics offer stain resistance and cleanability, making them perfect for these accident-prone areas of the home.
Features and Benefits of Performance Upholstery Fabrics
Performance fabrics offer several notable benefits that make them ideal for high-traffic areas of the home. Some of the key features include:
Stain Resistance
Performance fabrics are engineered to resist stains and spills, making them perfect for messy spaces like kitchens and kids' rooms. Treatments applied to the fabric create a barrier that prevents liquids from penetrating the fibers. According to FibreGuard, their fabrics exceed industry standards for stain resistance, resisting oil and water-based stains even after 15,000 double rubs. Read more: Performance Fabrics: Expectations vs. Reality
Ease of Cleaning
When spills and stains happen, performance fabrics have varying degrees of stain resistance, depending on the brand. FibreGuard fabrics, for example, can simply be wiped clean with water and soap (if needed). The stain resistant properties allow dirt and messes to be removed easily without harsh scrubbing or chemicals like bleach.
Durability and Longevity
Performance fabrics are engineered to withstand frequent use and friction while retaining their appearance over time. Tight weaves, synthetic fibers, and finishing techniques make these fabrics more abrasion and tear resistant. Performance fabrics can handle years of wear, friction, washing, and sun exposure in high traffic areas.
Colour Retention
Solution-dyed fabrics and UV-resistant treatments help performance fabrics maintain their color and appearance over time. The dyes penetrate deeper within the synthetic fibers to resist fading. This allows the fabrics to emerge looking like new after cleaning.
How Performance Fabrics Are Made
Performance fabrics stand up to everyday use through the materials and manufacturing technologies used to make them. They are engineered to be more stain resistant, durable and easy to care for than conventional upholstery fabrics.
Some key properties of performance fabrics include:
- Synthetic fiber content like polyester or nylon - synthetics are tougher and more durable than natural fibers like cotton. - The ins and outs of polyester fibres and fabrics
- Tightly woven construction with a high thread count that creates a strong, stain-resistant surface. - Performance Fabrics: Expectations vs. Reality
- Various degrees of stain resistance. With FibreGuard fabrics, for example, 17 different stains are applied to the fabric which must be removable under a range of different conditions. All common accidental household stains need to be easy to remove, even after the stain has been left on the fabric for several hours. - Stain Removal Testing
- Solution-dyed fabric retains colour over time because the dye is part of the fiber, not just on the surface. When a fabric is solution-dyed it means that the colour dye is added during the liquid stage prior to being cooled, and then it is spun into yarn. In essence, therefore, the colour is locked into the fabric to the point that it forms part of the actual fibres produced. - Choosing The Best Fabric For Outdoor Furniture
Manufacturing techniques like calendering give performance fabrics a smooth, polished look while enhancing durability. The combination of high-tech fibers and specialised finishing is what sets these fabrics apart.
Certifications to Look For
When shopping for performance fabrics, look for specific certifications and standards that indicate quality and safety. Some key certifications to look for include:
ASTM Standards
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has over 12,000 standards that apply to various materials, including fabrics. Specific ASTM standards for performance fabrics test things like colourfastness, strength, flammability, and more. For example, ASTM D6242 sets levels of abrasion resistance.
OEKO-TEX
OEKO-TEX is an independent testing and certification system focused on safety of textile products. Their STANDARD 100 certification means fabrics are tested for harmful substances and are safe even for sensitive skin. This standard also sets limits for substances like pesticides, heavy metals, and formaldehyde.
Brand-Specific Standards
Many performance fabric brands have developed their own brand-specific standards and ratings for marketing purposes. FibreGuard's fabrics are always held to higher levels of external standards by third-party certifications, so that they can be easily verified across the world, no matter what market they're in. We believe this approach gives our consumers a straightforward, transparent view of how our fabrics really perform.
Cost Considerations
Because performance fabrics are extremely durable, stain resistant, and retain their appearance over time, they are better value in the long run, when compared to standard upholstery fabrics.
Did you know? The cost per use of performance fabrics can actually be much lower than regular fabrics that require frequent replacing. If a regular fabric only lasts 2-3 years before needing replacement, you would need to buy 4-6 regular fabric sofas in the 10-12 year lifespan of just one performance fabric sofa. So, while the upfront cost is higher, performance fabrics save money over time through their longevity and durability.
Brands like FibreGuard use high-end fibers, treatments, and construction techniques to create performance fabrics that justify the higher price through their superior performance and longevity. Overall, performance fabrics like FibreGuard's are an investment that pay off through years of stylish, worry-free, stain-free use.
Why Choose FibreGuard for Performance Fabrics
When it comes to high-quality, durable, and easy-to-clean performance fabrics for your home, FibreGuard should be at the top of your list. FibreGuard was developed drawing on fifteen years of experience developing innovative fabric technologies that resist stains, spills, and wear and tear.
FibreGuard's stain-repellent treatments allow liquids to bead up on the surface of fabrics, making spot cleaning a breeze. Our fabrics are engineered with solution-dyed yarns and proprietary finishes that maintain vibrancy and colourfastness over time. FibreGuard also offers antimicrobial versions of many fabrics to inhibit bacterial growth - explore our FibreGuard Pro range and our range of outdoor fabrics: FibreGuard Outdoor.
In tests, FibreGuard fabrics demonstrate exceptional durability. We asked one of the Labotex team members how many rubs can a fabric take before there are signs of damage:
“The minimum of Martindale for upholstery is 15.000-20.000 rubs, for contract use you need to have at least at 30.000 rubs.”
This is the general classification standard for FibreGuard and FR-One fabrics:
- Light domestic use: 15.000 rubs
- General domestic use: 20.000 rubs
- Severe domestic use: 30.000 rubs
- Severe contract: 40.000 rubs
FibreGuard fabrics have earned certifications like the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® for safe ingredients. Bru Textiles, the parent group of FibreGuard, has held this certification for over 20 years, making them the first furnishing fabrics company in the world to achieve this. Learn more about other eco labels. With FibreGuard's combination of innovative fabric engineering, rigorous testing, eco-friendly production, and stellar reputation, you can trust their performance fabrics to stay beautiful in your home for years to come.
Conclusion
In summary, performance fabrics offer clear benefits for high-traffic spaces prone to spills, stains, and heavy daily use. With engineered stain resistance, durability, and easy cleanability, performance fabrics allow you to enjoy worry-free furniture that retains its beauty over many years of use.
When shopping for performance fabrics, look for key certifications like the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® and check that the fabric content contains synthetics known for performance, like polyester or olefin. Brands like FibreGuard offer industry-leading performance fabric technologies to provide furniture and upholstery fabrics designed to withstand real-life in busy households.
For upscale, durable, and easy-to-maintain fabrics for your home's high-traffic areas, choose FibreGuard performance fabrics. Contact us today.