When designing or choosing garden furniture, attention should be paid not only to the materials from which it is made, but also to upholstery fabrics, which can give the furniture the right style and protect it from adverse weather conditions. To a large extent, the comfort and appearance of our garden relaxation area will depend on them.
Garden furniture—what are your options?
There are many trends when it comes to garden furniture. You can choose furniture available in shops, make it yourself or use second-hand furniture elements. The simplest option is plastic furniture from DIY stores. There is nothing wrong with it, but it is often shoddy, not very durable and simply uncomfortable. It will be just right for a garden allotment, but if you want furniture for a garden by your home, where you will spend more time, it is worth paying a little more attention to choosing the right piece.
You can choose rattan furniture or synthetic rattan furniture. Another option is cast-iron or metal furniture. Wooden furniture is an entirely different category. Furniture made from pallets, often handmade, is increasingly appearing in gardens and allotments.
Furniture is usually just a “skeleton” onto which blankets, cushions and mattresses are placed. To ensure the longest possible service life and achieve the desired appearance, you need to choose suitable upholstery materials. Ideally, they should not only be attractive and durable, but also resistant to weather conditions—especially water and wind.
What exactly are upholstery fabrics?
Upholstery fabrics, also known as furniture fabrics, are materials used mainly to produce so-called upholstered furniture. Does that sound a little tautological? Let us put it another way. They are used to cover MDF board together with foam, creating seats and backrests. Thanks to upholstery fabrics, furniture gains a unique appearance and character, which makes it perfectly suited to various interior styles, both modern and traditional. Decorative cushions and smaller cushions made from compatible fabrics can be added as well.
There are many types of fabric available on the market, differing both in appearance and properties. The most popular upholstery materials include velour, velvet, eco-leather, flock and knitted fabric.
Which fabrics are best for the garden—outdoor fabrics
For garden furniture to last for many years, it should be covered with fabrics offering enhanced durability and resistance to a range of mechanical and weather-related factors. Outdoor fabrics are usually waterproof, have a high density and are easy to keep clean, making them ideal for outdoor use.
In addition, garden furniture materials usually protect the wood or metal from which the furniture is made against moisture penetration and prevent corrosion.
Which materials work best for garden furniture? What should you look for when buying?
Upholstered furniture should not only look attractive, but also be functional and easy to keep clean. In constant contact with various types of dirt, it requires special care. To meet these requirements, modern technologies such as water-resistant upholstery fabrics have been introduced to the market. Their use helps keep furniture in impeccable condition and increases its durability.
What are water-resistant upholstery fabrics?
If your upholstered furniture is covered with water-resistant upholstery fabrics, cleaning stains will be easier and less time-consuming. We particularly recommend hydrophobic fabrics, which, although not watertight, significantly hinder the absorption of liquids. How is this possible?
The technology used in them is key to the effectiveness of hydrophobic fabrics. A special hydrophobic coating covering the material makes it harder for liquids to penetrate deep into the upholstery. This creates a protective layer that repels liquid particles and protects the material against leakage. As a result, liquid beads on the upholstery surface, allowing it to be easily removed with a paper towel or soft cloth and preventing a stain from forming. Sounds ideal for the garden, right?
Thanks to the hydrophobic coating, this solution is not only innovative, but also makes upholstery very easy to keep clean. It helps remove stains, dirt and dust more easily. However, remember that reaction time is crucial: hydrophobic fabrics are not completely watertight, and after some time liquid may penetrate deeper into the material.
What do we particularly value hydrophobic fabrics for?
The hydrophobic fabrics popular today feature special technology that makes it difficult for liquids to penetrate deep into the material. As a result, spilled liquids remain on the fabric’s surface instead of soaking in, making cleaning easier and faster. What is more, hydrophobic fabrics provide effective protection against dirt such as stains from juice, coffee or other food products. This means upholstered furniture made from such fabrics retains its impeccable appearance for longer. Considering the many factors and situations that may occur in a garden, water-resistant fabrics seem to be an ideal option for outdoor use.
Cleaning water-resistant fabrics—how to do it properly
Cleaning hydrophobic fabric does not require specialist products or vigorous rubbing. In most cases, it is enough to wipe away the dirt. The fabric should be treated gently. If liquid is spilled, simply place a paper towel or soft sponge on the stain, and the liquid should be absorbed into it. To avoid difficult-to-remove stains from dyeing or corrosive liquids, act quickly and remove dirt immediately after it appears.
Hydrophobic does not mean unattractive
Choosing hydrophobic fabric does not mean giving up an attractive piece of furniture. The fact that a fabric is durable and has technical properties does not mean it has to be unattractive. On the contrary. There are now many different variants of hydrophobic fabrics, available, for example, from Punkt Tapicerski. Codura is the most common option. This fabric is available in solid colours as well as patterned versions—even with unicorns and rainbows! It is a very simple yet elegant upholstery with a sturdy structure. As a result, furniture padded with this material not only looks good, but is also very easy to maintain.
Choose high-quality outdoor fabrics
Hydrophobic fabrics are an excellent choice because of their many advantages, above all their resistance to liquid absorption. Furniture upholstered with such fabrics is easy to clean and, in the event of an accident, simply placing a paper towel or tissue on it is enough to remove the stain. These fabrics are also an ideal solution for families with children, where unpredictable situations are part of everyday life. In addition, hydrophobic fabrics suit both traditional and modern interiors, and the wide selection offered by our shop makes it possible to find the ideal fabric for everyone. Resistance to dirt also means that the fabric retains its attractive appearance for a long time. If you want to choose the best outdoor fabric for your garden or allotment but are having trouble deciding, contact a specialist. The advisers at the upholstery wholesaler www.punkttapicerski.pl are happy to share their knowledge and experience—they will gladly help you.