After years of use, even the strongest and highest quality patio chairs begin to show signs of wear. This is particularly true of mesh sling chairs which eventually lose their ability to withstand sunlight and weather.
Measuring your chair for new fabric is the cornerstone of revitalizing and prolonging the lifespan of patio furniture.
Sunbrella
Sunbrella fabric is an outdoor furniture fabric popularly used with bleach solutions for easy maintenance and cleaning. As water-repellant fabric that resists mold and mildew growth, antimicrobial properties help it remain mold and mildew free. Plus, heavy use can withstand it easily!
Sunbrella fabric comes in an assortment of colors and patterns and is highly durable. Additionally, it is stain-resistant and can easily be steamed when it becomes wrinkled – its high performance fibers have been designed to prevent liquid from penetrating into its weave or yarn, thus limiting stains from occurring in the first place. Furthermore, its acrylic material was specifically created to resist fading, mold and mildew growth. Regular dusting or spot cleaning are recommended to maintain this fabric until washing machine washing becomes an option according to brand instructions.
Though Sunbrella fabric makes an excellent outdoor furniture option, it’s essential that you select the appropriate grade. Each grade of Sunbrella offers its own benefits and drawbacks; most commonly Grade A features polyester material with lower color saturation levels than Grade C – making this fabric fade-resistant with stronger pigment retention than its peers.
Blended fabrics may also be an economical solution. Blended fabrics are constructed from multiple materials such as spun polyester and cotton. While similar in appearance to Sunbrella, blended fabrics tend to be less costly while remaining comfortable for sitting and repelling odors more efficiently than their Sunbrella counterparts. Unfortunately, however, their shape may deteriorate over time and require maintenance more frequently than Sunbrella fabrics.
Acrylic
Acrylic fabric was developed to resemble wool fiber and is commonly found in products like sweaters, mittens, hats, jackets, pants and hoodies for cold-weather clothing. Additionally it works great as carpeting upholstery and rugs. Produced by spinning acrylic polymers – many molecules linked together in long chains – this material can then be dyed to resemble other fabrics; manufacturers may even produce varieties resembling fur for costumes and props.
Acrylic fabrics offer sun protection without fading in sunlight and are an excellent choice for outdoor cushions as they don’t wrinkle easily when wet, as well as being heat resistant – which means they can endure the sun’s rays without becoming uncomfortable in warmer temperatures. Spun polyester may be more affordable but may tear more easily than acrylic materials.
Solution-dyed acrylic fabric is ideal for outdoor use, as its raw fiber materials are colored before being woven into fabric by professionals. This prevents fading over time and makes cleaning with harsh cleaning agents simpler. Sunbrella and Outdura both use solution-dyed fabric as one reason behind their reputations of durability.
Other types of woven acrylic fabrics, including cotton-linen blends and olefin – an increasingly popular alternative to canvas – are also available, including recycled plastics and chemicals produced through production process olefin is manufactured using; making it environmentally friendly as it has resistance against wrinkles, stretching/shrinking/shrinking as well as mildew growth and mold development.
Spun Polyester
Spun polyester fabric is an affordable yet resilient outdoor textile solution, perfect for use in sling furniture and other outdoor textiles. Water, stain and mildew resistant, it makes an excellent addition to outdoor textiles such as cushions. Spun polyester comes with multiple weave options including dobby weaves that mimic wood texture and wicker patterns for both sling and cushion seating arrangements.
Fabric production involves drying, melt spinning, drawing and winding fibers together through textile professionals’ specialized process of spinning polyester yarn. Spun polyester creates high-quality fabric that mimics cotton but with greater strength and longevity – ideal for coats, bedding, luggage and custom cushions as well as patio furniture slings and cushions.
All-weather fabrics are specially engineered to withstand outdoor elements like sunlight, rain, and wind without suffering damage. While all-weather fabrics may resemble spun polyester fabrics or indoor/outdoor fabrics in terms of their construction material – which typically consist of natural fibers – spun polyester fabrics have the appearance of spun polyester but lack fade-resistance like acrylic fabrics do; all-weather fabrics may need additional maintenance such as covering them up when not in use or keeping them away from direct sunlight when not needed to prevent future fading issues in their lifespan. This can be avoided by covering cushions when not using or keeping away from direct sunlight when not needed to avoid long term fading over time. This issue can be avoided by covering cushions up or keeping cushions out of direct sunlight when not needed so as not to fade over time over time; acrylic fabrics require much better fade-resistance when it comes to longevity when it comes to longevity versus fade resistance so it requires some additional care from their all weather counterpart when stored away from direct sunlight when not being used or covered up when not being used so they fade over time and need regular maintenance in order to avoid this happening over time so ensure cover or storage when not being used so that direct sunlight hits on them when not being used so that when not being placed against direct sunlight when not required or covered when not being stored away when not being exposed directly when not being exposed directly until needed when stored away from direct sunlight when exposed for example storing away cushions when not being stored away when not directly against direct sun light when exposed when stored away when exposed when used out or made as fade- fade resistant ones made available if necessary so keeping direct sunlight hits when exposed when stored away when not becoming fade-ab as soon after prolonged exposure occurs and storeing cushions remain covered or stored out without direct sun exposure occurs over prolonged storing storing cushions when stored away to direct sun exposure occurs eventually being exposed for storage when stored away directly exposed when stored away when not being exposed when stored when storage can take either cover when stored away as this way storage when stored directly exposed when not actually stored so close enough uncovered when being stored when needed either storing directly storing from direct sun exposure needs need be used again to direct sun direct sun exposure are stored either covered when needed when not for longer term exposure due storage after storage can save their storage before time needed storage or stored away when not when used directly against direct sun protection when necessary to direct sun direct light sources when covered when not by direct sun when leaving them when needed when not immediately after direct sun when stored when leaving direct sun when when stored when need.
Solution dyed acrylic fabrics are top of the line outdoor fabrics designed to withstand severe weather conditions. Treated with UV inhibitors to minimize sun fading, these more costly fabrics may still fade over time; however, cleaning process for solution dyed acrylic fabrics are much easier than cotton-based ones and durable enough for replacement cushions.
Textilene
If your sling chairs are showing signs of wear, it might be time to replace their fabric. Textilene is an incredibly strong synthetic material that stands up well under sunlight exposure while remaining easy to use and clean. It will withstand frequent use without degradation from sunrays as well.
Textilene fabric is constructed of tightly woven polyester threads coated in poly-vinyl chloride for heat setting, creating a material resistant to abrasions, fade and sun damage as well as biocides to inhibit mold and mildew growth. Furthermore, its design provides superior breathability as well as humidity protection.
Not all sling fabrics are created equal, as different brands use different construction techniques and require different installation procedures. To make sure you purchase and install the appropriate fabric for your outdoor furniture, consult the manufacturer’s instructions or take note of how heavy your frame weighs; heavier frames often need thicker and more resilient fabric options.
Textilene is the preferred sling fabric for patio furniture due to its variety of colors and patterns, easy cleaning process and quick drying time. Furthermore, its resistance against fade and mildew make it the ideal choice for outdoor seating applications.
To properly care for Textilene fabric, it’s essential to first remove any dirt by brushing, then giving the fabric a quick hose down. After this, mix a solution of water and natural, mild soap, using a soft brush apply this mixture to the fabric and allow it to soak for several minutes before rinsing it thoroughly with clean water and leaving to air-dry naturally.
Phifertex
Phifertex fabrics are specifically crafted to withstand heavy use, making them suitable for sling chairs with constant stress. Boasting exceptional dimensional stability and fade/stain resistance, they’re easy to maintain while featuring Microban antimicrobial technology to inhibit stain- and odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew growth.
Phifertex Sling Chair Mesh is made of sturdy polyester yarns woven together and coated in vinyl to form a sturdy and long-term solution for outdoor sling furniture. Offering approximately 70% shade factor while still letting light filter through while providing moderate privacy, Phifertex is perfect for repair or reupholstery of outdoor sling chairs, patio and porch awnings, roller shades, outdoor cushion covers as well as RV/yacht window enclosures.
Choose from an impressive range of solid modern shades, intricate textural weaves, classic and vogue designs and timeless solid fabrics in Phifertex Plus, PVC Wicker Weave and Standard Solids collections that are built to withstand weather elements while remaining maintenance free. Woven right here in America using Microban to prevent stain-causing mold, mildew and bacteria growth for lasting cleanliness.
Phifertex vinyl-coated polyester sling fabrics are proudly produced in the US, boasting a variety of solid colors and intricate weaves for use in chair reupholstery, umbrella repair/reupholstery, sun/wind screens, tote bags and other custom projects. Fade, stain and UV-resistance ensure simple cleaning using damp cloth or hose water.
Phifertex can be cut and sewn using scissors, utility knife or rotary cutter. Since this material does not fray when sewn with upholstery weight thread and either a walking foot or denim needle.