Adding cushions to your outdoor furniture can help to enhance the look of your outdoor spaces. The outdoor cushions will get exposed to the weather and the environment. There are different materials available for outdoor cushions like polyester, canvas, olefin and acrylic.
For your outdoor cushions, you will need a fabric that can withstand the weather and is easy to clean and maintain. The fabric should be water-repellent, durable, not fade when exposed to the sun, dry quickly and mould and mildew-resistant. For your outdoor chair cushions, you will need a fabric that offers these properties and a range of colours, patterns and designs to match your outdoor aesthetics.
The right outdoor furniture can make your outdoor living special. There is a difference between the fabric used for indoor cushions and outdoor cushions. The fabric for the outdoor cushions goes through a treatment process during manufacturing to gain the required properties.
The durability of the outdoor cushions also depends on the filling used. A good outdoor cushion should be water-resistant, quick-drying and mould and mildew-resistant. The outdoor cushion’s filling and the fabric determine the durability.
Different types of fill
The different types of filling are high-density foam, compressed polyester, polyester fiberfill, dry fast foam and polyurethane foam.
The high-density foam is firm and does not absorb water therefore it is used in flotation applications. Compressed polyester does not degrade like traditional foam and is an inexpensive option. The polyester fibre is machine washable, resistant to mildew and non-allergenic. The dry fast foam is porous therefore does not retain water and is extremely easy to maintain. The polyurethane foam often contains the biocide treatment and is well suited for seating and mattress applications.
Different types of fabrics
Polyester
This is an inexpensive option for outdoor cushions. It can be easily dyed during the manufacturing process to give it bright colours. It is strong, durable and easy to process and therefore used as an upholstery fabric. It is mainly used in water-proofing applications. It can withstand wear and tear and is wrinkle-resistant. It can be blended with other materials like cotton.
Canvas
Canvas fabric is strong, durable and long-lasting. It is breathable, absorbent, wrinkle-free and easy to maintain. It is made up of cotton and linen though traditionally it was made from hemp. It has a plain weave and is usually used where sturdiness is required.
Olefin
This fabric has good strength and can withstand heat without shrinking or stretching. However, it can lose strength when exposed to the sun for a prolonged time. It has a very good resistance to crushing. It has nearly no moisture absorption and cannot be dyed easily.
Acrylic
The fabric is made from 100% solution-dyed acrylic yarn. The dye is added to the yarn during the manufacturing process and therefore the colour of the fabric does not fade out even when exposed to the sun. The fabric is water-resistant, durable and can be treated to prevent mould and mildew growth. It is easy to clean and maintain and ideal for outdoor applications.
