The Ultimate Guide to Performance Fabrics for Upholstery: Durability Meets Style
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What Are Performance Fabrics?
Performance fabrics are designed for both indoor and outdoor upholstery, making them ideal for everything from patio cushions to interior throw pillows, and even boat, car or RV upholstery. These fabrics are incredibly durable, meaning they’ll retain their shape and color no matter what life throws at them. Whether it’s messy hands, dirty paws or accidental spills, performance fabrics are built to handle it all. Cleaning up is a breeze — most messes can be wiped away with soapy water and a soft brush.
At Sailrite®, we carry a wide selection of performance fabrics with key features:
- Solution-dyed synthetic fibers for vibrant color.
- UV resistance to prevent fading.
- Water, mold and mildew resistance for all-weather use.
- High abrasion resistance to withstand wear and tear.
- Easy cleanability and stain resistance for hassle-free maintenance.
Explore our full collection of performance fabrics here.
Fabric Construction: Built for Durability
The strength of performance fabrics starts with their construction. Unlike natural fibers like cotton or wool, performance fabrics are made from synthetic materials that are engineered for maximum durability and easy care. Popular fabrics like Sunbrella® and Outdura® are 100% acrylic, offering both durability and surprising softness. SunRite™ fabrics are made from polyolefin fibers, designed for top-tier performance without compromising on comfort or style.
A key feature of all performance fabrics is solution dyeing, a process in which the color is integrated into the fiber’s core rather than applied to the surface. This results in richer, more vibrant colors that resist fading over time. Additionally, the dyeing process makes these fabrics highly UV resistant, ensuring that both single-color weaves and intricate jacquard patterns stay vivid longer.
UV Resistance: Protect Your Fabrics From Sun Damage
The most common way to measure UV resistance is by how long it takes a fabric to fade when exposed to sunlight. Since solution-dyed fabrics have color deeply embedded in the fiber, they naturally last longer in the sun. Many performance fabrics also include UV-stable pigments that enhance their resistance to sunlight. At Sailrite, fabrics with a UV fade rating of up to 1,500 hours are considered highly UV resistant.
Sunbrella, Outdura and SunRite fabrics all boast UV fade ratings of 1,500 hours, making them perfect for sun-exposed areas like outdoor furniture, boats and RVs.
Water, Mold & Mildew Resistance: Built for the Outdoors
Acrylic fibers, like those found in Sunbrella and Outdura fabrics, are naturally hydrophobic, meaning they resist water absorption. As a result, these fabrics are water-resistant and ideal for outdoor settings. SunRite fabrics, made from polyolefin fibers, are also naturally water resistant.
The water resistance of these fabrics helps to prevent mold and mildew growth. Sunbrella and Outdura fabrics combine water resistance with breathability to ensure better moisture management. SunRite’s polyolefin fibers are also antimicrobial, further decreasing the chance of mold and mildew developing.
Abrasion Resistance & Durability: Ready for Daily Use
Durability is key when choosing a fabric for upholstery, especially when it comes to areas that see heavy use, such as sofas, chairs and patio cushions. One of the primary ways fabric durability is measured is by double rubs, which indicate how much wear a fabric can withstand before it starts to break down.
At Sailrite, we offer performance fabrics that have medium- to heavy-duty abrasion resistance ratings. Fabrics like Sunbrella, Outdura and SunRite are tested to handle anywhere from 15,000 to 100,000 double rubs, ensuring they stand up to frequent use without wearing out or fraying. For a deeper dive into fabric wear ratings, check out our blog: "What Is a Fabric Wear Rating?"
Cleanability: Easy Maintenance for a Busy Lifestyle
Performance fabrics are designed to handle life's messes, from spilled drinks to muddy paw prints. Most stains can be cleaned easily with mild soap and water. Because the fibers are solution-dyed, tougher stains can be removed with a bleach and water solution without damaging the fabric or fading the color.
Why Choose Performance Fabrics?
Performance fabrics are perfect for anyone seeking durability without sacrificing style. Whether you’re outfitting a patio, boat or car, these fabrics offer excellent resistance to UV rays, water, mold and mildew. They also stand up to daily wear and tear, which means you’ll replace your upholstery less often, saving you both time and money.
Additionally, many of our performance fabrics, like Sunbrella, are GREENGUARD® Gold Certified, meaning they emit no harmful toxins or carcinogens into the air — safe for your home and family.
Conclusion: Ready for Life's Toughest Moments
Performance fabrics are the perfect choice for anyone who needs durable, long-lasting and easy-to-maintain upholstery. Whether it’s for outdoor furniture, marine use or high-traffic areas, these fabrics will continue to perform, no matter what life throws their way. Plus, with their durability and easy care, you’ll save money and reduce waste over time.
Ready to test out performance fabrics for your next project? Shop our collection today!
Still unsure about which performance fabric is right for you? Our project specialists at Sailrite are here to help! Contact us via phone, email or online chat, and don’t forget to share your DIY creations on social media using the hashtag #Sailrite.
