Comparing Outdura® & Sunbrella® Upholstery Fabrics
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Introducing Outdura & Sunbrella
Outdura fabrics are proudly made in the United States by Sattler Group. This family-owned company is a leader in the performance textile industry. Founded in Austria in 1875, Sattler Group quickly became a household name in Europe for its Sattler® awning and marine fabric lines. It is celebrated for its commitment to creating quality materials, which it cemented by purchasing a mill in Hudson, North Carolina, to bring its first-quality Outdura upholstery fabrics to the U.S. market.
While Outdura’s reach is still expanding in the United States, Sunbrella is a household name here already. Sunbrella’s parent company, Glen Raven, was founded in 1880. Just like Sattler’s American mill, Glen Raven’s headquarters is also in North Carolina. Over the years, this family-owned company expanded from the United States to Europe and Asia, bringing its performance fabrics to a global audience. Its flagship fabric line, Sunbrella, is well-known worldwide.
As you can see, Sattler Group and Glen Raven are very similar. Both are family-owned companies that got their start in the late 1800s and now have a global presence. Their long tenures in the textile industry speak to the quality of their respective upholstery fabric lines.
Comparing Outdura & Sunbrella Features
Next, let’s compare the features of Sunbrella Upholstery and Outdura to see how these brands stack up. We’ll cover:
- Material & Dyeing Process
- Colorfastness & Fade Resistance
- UV Resistance
- Water Resistance
- Mold & Mildew Resistance
- Stain Resistance & Ease of Cleaning
- Abrasion Resistance
- Stretch Resistance & Shape Retention
- Price Per Yard
- Warranty
- Uses
Material & Dyeing Process
Outdura and Sunbrella Upholstery are both solution-dyed acrylic fabrics. Acrylic is a synthetic material. It’s made from acrylonitrile, a colorless liquid derived from polypropylene. Acrylic is popular for its durability, ease of care and versatility. It is soft and flexible, making it easy to work with and comfortable to use. It also responds well to dyeing, creating yarn with vibrant colors.
One method commonly used to color acrylics is solution dyeing. In this process, color is added to the liquid acrylonitrile before it is spun into acrylic yarn and made into fabric. The color permeates every yarn fiber right to the core, making it an inherent part of the finished fabric. You can expect rich, consistent colors from Outdura and Sunbrella acrylics.
Colorfastness & Fade Resistance
Because they are solution dyed, both fabric lines have exceptional fade resistance. Most Sunbrella and Outdura upholstery fabrics have a fade resistance rating of 1,500 light hours or more. This colorfastness means that these upholstery fabrics will retain their brilliant colors even after prolonged exposure to sunlight.
UV Resistance
Both Sunbrella and Outdura fabrics are designed with built-in UV protection. They resist breaking down or degrading under constant sunlight. This longevity makes them useful for upholstery, window treatments and other projects that will be exposed to excessive sunlight or left outside year-round.
Water Resistance
Outdura and Sunbrella fabrics boast excellent water resistance for two reasons. First, they’re acrylic fabrics; acrylic is naturally water resistant and does not absorb much liquid. Second, both fabric brands are finished with a water-resistant coating for extra protection against moisture.
A fabric’s weave also affects its water resistance level. Looser weaves are less resistant, while tighter weaves are more resistant. If your project requires high water resistance, consider a tightly woven fabric from either brand. Both are ideal for outdoor use or for spaces prone to spills.
Mold & Mildew Resistance
Acrylic is also naturally resistant to mold and mildew, making acrylic fabrics especially suitable for outdoor use in humid or damp environments. Outdura and Sunbrella upholstery fabrics can also give you peace of mind that indoor spills won’t cause mold or mildew growth either.
Stain Resistance & Ease of Cleaning
These upholstery fabrics are also imbued with stain-resistant treatments — perfect for use in mess-prone areas or homes with kids and pets. Whichever brand you choose for your upholstery, you’ll get excellent stain repellence.
Spill cleanup is easy with a sponge or soft rag. Any stains that do sneak through can be removed with mild soap, water and a soft brush, or a bleach solution if needed. With minimal maintenance, these upholstery fabrics will look fresh and new for the long run.
Abrasion Resistance
High abrasion resistance is a must-have feature for upholstery fabric that will be used daily. Fortunately, Outdura and Sunbrella deliver. Most of these highly abrasion-resistant fabrics held up to 30,000 or more double rubs in the Wyzenbeek Cotton Test for fabric wear ratings. Use them in high-traffic areas without worrying about them thinning or tearing.
Stretch Resistance & Shape Retention
Daily use, constant sunlight, humidity and moisture — these robust upholstery materials will retain their shape no matter what you throw at them. Both lines are designed to resist shrinking, stretching and sagging. This ensures a consistent, taut appearance over time. No matter which brand you choose, you’ll get a dimensionally stable material that will look good for any upholstery project over the long run.
Price Per Yard
These upholstery fabrics are competitively priced, with their per-yard prices falling within a similar range. Slight variations may exist based on specific collections and designs, with Sunbrella trending into higher prices than Outdura for comparable fabrics. So, be sure to consider your budget, as well as aesthetics and long-term performance, when deciding between fabrics from these brands.
Warranty
Sattler Group and Glen Raven stand behind their upholstery brands with limited warranties against manufacturer defects and performance failures. Sunbrella fabrics come with a five-year warranty, while Outdura has a 10-year warranty. So, while both are protected against fading, loss of strength and other performance issues, Outdura has double the coverage time.
Uses
Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, these versatile fabrics are suitable for a wide range of applications. Sailrite recommends using solution-dyed acrylic upholstery fabric for:
- Indoor: Cushions, Pillows, Upholstery, Curtains and Décor.
- Outdoor: Cushions, Pillows, Upholstery, Curtains and Décor.
- Marine: Exterior and Interior Cushions, Curtains, Exterior and Interior Pillows, and Exterior and Interior Upholstery.
- RV/Auto: Auto Upholstery (limited fabric selection), RV Upholstery, Curtains, RV Cushions and RV Pillows.
Which Fabric Is Right for You?
So, which is the best upholstery fabric — Outdura or Sunbrella? The answer is: Both! These brands stand out as top-tier choices in the DIY market. They excel in durability, performance and versatility. You can’t go wrong choosing either one.
Sailrite recommends Outdura as the more DIY-friendly option for its longer warranty and more budget-conscious price per yard. But Sunbrella is still a great choice for your projects! Choose Outdura if a longer warranty and lower price appeal to you, and Sunbrella if you have a larger budget and want the name recognition of a well-known brand.
Still not sure? No worries! This comparison chart can help you make your choice.
When you trust Sailrite, you never have to wonder where to buy upholstery fabric. Browse a wide range of fabric styles and designs, from vintage toiles to modern geometrics and everything in between, right here at your one-stop upholstery shop. Whether you opt for the robust Outdura or the renowned Sunbrella, you can be confident that you have chosen a high-quality upholstery fabric that will stand the test of time.
Shop Outdura Upholstery Fabrics
Shop Sunbrella Upholstery Fabrics
We hope this blog gave you all the information you need about these performance upholstery fabrics. If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! Our knowledgeable customer service team is available by phone, email and the chat function on our website.
Have you used these outstanding fabrics before? If so, do you prefer Outdura or Sunbrella? Let us know which material is your favorite and why in the comments below.
