Upholstery Fabric

[hm0316]

I am currently planning new interior settee cushions. They will double as occasional bunk mattresses and will be closed cell foam. I am thinking of using Sunbrella for the covering but would appreciate any thoughts on other types of fabrics folks have liked for this. Pictures would, of course, be welcome.

hm0316

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Sunbrella is a close weave batch dyed polyester. Polyesters are good upholstery fabrics because they are dyed while the thread is being formed... hence they are very UV and stain resistant. They also resist mildew and almost any other problem that plagues natural fibres. If the interior of your boat is relatively secure from the weather, you can use any good synthetic upholstery material, including ones with a pile or nap, and patterns or prints. Stick to polyesters, nylons and acrylics, and keep in mind that longer piles tend to show wear more easily than a "hard" fabric like sunbrella or something similiar. You can often find what you need at a good fabric store, as a remnant or end for a reasonable price.

[C. Ross]

I reupholstered with Sunbrella last season. Sorry for the blurry picture. This settee turns into a bunk, and we did bunk cushions as well. Nice stuff.


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3244632289_c784ef0f52.jpg


They make upholstery fabric and traditional canvas for biminis and boat covers. This picture shows some cushions in canvas finish - I would not use it for an interior project. The dog thinks it's comfy enough, but I wouldn't want to sleep on it.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/2243644534_d69404ef2a.jpg

[Steve Lansdowne]

You might email the folks at Sailrite to see what they recommend.

[GregW]

Have a look at Rochford Supply, they have excellent prices and have pretty much what you are looking for.
http://tinyurl.com/2lk27a

[JimConlin]

Sunbrella is a close weave batch dyed polyester. Polyesters are good upholstery fabrics because they are dyed while the thread is being formed... hence they are very UV and stain resistant. They also resist mildew and almost any other problem that plagues natural fibres. If the interior of your boat is relatively secure from the weather, you can use any good synthetic upholstery material, including ones with a pile or nap, and patterns or prints. Stick to polyesters, nylons and acrylics, and keep in mind that longer piles tend to show wear more easily than a "hard" fabric like sunbrella or something similiar. You can often find what you need at a good fabric store, as a remnant or end for a reasonable price.
I think that Sunbrella is an acrylic. Polyester is not very UV resistant.

[hm0316]

These comments have been very helpful.

hm0316

[Todd Bradshaw]

Yes, Sunbrella is acrylic. Polyester is usually the next in line in terns of UV resistance, though not all acrylics, or all polyesters, are created equal by the time they're through all the finishing processes. There are some polyester cover fabrics which carry a UV warranty that's just as good as Sunbrella's. In general, you get what you pay for in synthetic canvas. Surprise, surprise.

[Lew Barrett]

Another vote for Sunbrella or the like based on many years of experience. As a practical fabric, it works well. It's not the most "charming" but it does stand the test of time.

I have to point out that if you have the money and your interior is of a style that can support the effort and expense, mohair is spectacular as a show fabric. I have seen fifty year old interiors upholstered in mohair, and that is one amazing product. But you'd never do a mattress in wool.

Mattresses are very well served up upholstered in Sunbrella. If, as on our boat, they will be under bedding, you can look for a less popular color and maybe save some money on what is in stock.

We do most of our own upholstery and canvas, except for a button tufted settee in the pilot house, which is done up in full grain leather sofa. That stuff's held up well, too.

[C. Ross]

As a practical fabric, it works well. It's not the most "charming" but it does stand the test of time.

I thought that, too, because I had only seen hard canvas finish Sunbrella. They make a lot of patterns and colors and weights for the outdoor furniture market -- all on their web site. The stuff on my boat feels like natural fiber weave and weight. Really happy with it.

[nautiguy]

Sunbrella makes a line of fabrics specifically for interior use. They are softer in the hand then the exterior group.

You might also want to look at microfiber fabrics such as ultrasuedes. The biggest advantages to microfibers are that they are almost indestructible and almost totally stain proof, even against spilled red wine. Ask me how I know:D.