What is the fabric for sofa?

A well-made, quality sofa is an investment you won't regret. The guts of any upholstery are important as it determines the longevity and comfort of the furniture, but equally important is the choice of fabric for your sofa. Today, we'll walk you through all the options so you can make the choice for your sofa.

First, let's talk about weaving. Each fabric is made by weaving threads together, and the tightness of the weave determines not only how the fabric feels, but also its durability. A pair of thick cotton jeans have the tightest possible weave, which makes them more durable, easier to wash, and don't lose shape quickly. Let's apply the same idea to upholstery fabrics.

We often talk about performance fabrics or indoor/outdoor fabrics in our catalog. Most indoor/outdoor fabrics are made from acrylic because the threads are dyed all the time. Most threads are dyed, and in many cases, the dye only changes the outer layer of the thread, so, like a radish, only the outer layer retains the color. Because of this, dye threads are susceptible to sun bleaching and dyeing.

Synthetic materials have a bad reputation because they don't have the breathability and softness of more natural threads, but polyester, acrylic, and rayon each have their own advantages. Synthetic threads don't break down as quickly as natural threads, so they're more durable, easier to clean, and more resistant to dirt.

The price of fabric can go up or down depending on a number of factors. Tighter, denser weaves generally require more labor and more thread to build, so while they are more durable, they can also be more expensive. Velvet also tends to be more expensive because they require more steps in the weaving process. Not only are the threads woven horizontally, but they also have short threads that run perpendicular to the fabric, creating a soft fleece.

Finally, let's talk about leather. Those dark, bulky leather sofas give the entire fabric category a bad name, but they're actually one of the durable and easy-to-clean materials.