Vinyl Upholstery Fabric
Upholstering a piece of furniture is one of the best ways that you can revive your living space and bring new life to the piece of furniture, too!
However, when you are trying to choose a fabric for your project, you will need to be familiar with its individual characteristics, and not just its aesthetic appeal. This can help you to make the best choice possible! One of the fabric options out there is vinyl, which can add a dash of edge and a cool factor to your home.
Read on to learn more about vinyl as a fabric, and why it can be a great upholstery option for your next project!
What Is Vinyl?
Of course, in order to decide whether or not vinyl is good for you, you will need to understand what exactly this fabric is. Vinyl is a durable, synthetic fabric that is often used in upholstery, clothing, and other applications. It is available in a wide range of colors and patterns, and can be easily cleaned. Vinyl is also resistant to fading and tearing, making it an ideal choice for many applications. Vinyl often has the look of leather, but is a more ethical option as it is synthetic and not made from animal products.
Also Read – What is Leather Like as an Upholstery Fabric?
Pros of Vinyl Upholstery Fabric
Vinyl has its own particular set of advantages when considering it for an upholstery project. We will go over these below!
Durable
One of the best things about vinyl is that it is durable. Durability is one of the most important things that you should take into account when it comes to upholstery projects, because, after all, the primary function of this piece of furniture is to be sat on. You do not want to choose a fabric that you will be nervous about sitting upon and ruining. Because it does not have long fibers or a loose weave, it is also easier for you to avoid catching things on the fabric and damaging it.
Easy to Clean
Because vinyl is not as absorbent as other fabrics, it can be easier to clean when it comes to spillage and stain prevention. Vinyl is also slick and easy to wipe down to get rid of messes, debris, dust, and more. Easy to maintain fabrics are always a good choice, especially if you have pets or small children in your home.
Cons of Vinyl Upholstery Fabric
Just as there are some great advantages to using vinyl, there are some disadvantages, too, which will need to be considered. Take a look at the following to decide if vinyl is still right for you.
Can Crack or Fade
Vinyl does not last forever, of course, and over time, this textile can crack, peel, or fade. This sort of wear and tear is often very noticeable and is not always that easy to hide– meaning that you will probably need to replace the furniture or reupholster it once this begins to occur. This can be an issue if you were not planning to be frequently fixing up your furniture, though it still may not happen right away!
Not Breathable
Vinyl is not a breathable material, which can be a bad thing for a few different reasons. For instance, moisture might not move through the fabric quickly enough, keeping it soggy or breeding bacteria. This can be a problem in warmer climates, too, in relation to humidity– especially if the furniture you are upholstering is outdoor furniture.
Uncomfortable
Another issue with vinyl is that it can become uncomfortable to sit on, especially in hot or humid leather. This can cause you to stick to the fabric, and if the furniture is sitting in the sun, it can become hot and burn you when you sit on it! This is another instance where it is important to consider the location of the furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of vinyl do you use for upholstery?
There are three main types of vinyl, and these are known as non backed vinyl, non expanded vinyl, and expanded vinyl. When you are looking for vinyl to use for an upholstery project, you will want to go with an expanded vinyl.
Which is better, vinyl or faux leather?
Vinyl can be used as an alternative to leather, or to faux leather, in apparel, accessories, and in upholstery. So, which is better? Faux leather does last longer and maintain better quality over time, though vinyl can often be found to be less expensive than faux leather is. Overall, faux leather is the better choice of the two, if you can afford it. However, which textile is better will also depend on the needs you are looking to fill and what characteristics you are looking for in a fabric.
Is vinyl or fabric better?
It is difficult to say if vinyl or fabric is better, as there are very many fabrics that this could refer to. Not all fabrics have the same characteristics. Additionally, which is the better choice will also depend on the details of the project you are looking to complete. For example, vinyl as a whole is better at resisting stains and fluids. If you expect to have a lot of spillage on the furniture you are upholstering, then vinyl may be the better choice here, over fabric. For this reason, vinyl can be better suited for outdoor furniture than fabric is– it will keep longer and not get faded or washed out by the rain.
What is the best fabric to reupholster a chair?
If you are reupholstering a chair– or any item of furniture!– you likely want to be sure that you are making the best choices so that you do not have to redo your work down the line. Of course, the best fabric will depend on where you have the chair located– inside or outside, etc– and the lifestyle you lead. One of the best fabrics for reupholstering, regardless of these factors, is cotton. It is breathable and comfortable, as well as being easy on your wallet! It also comes in plenty of weights, colors, and prints.
