While searching for umbrellas on the internet, you may have noticed that there are many different fabric options available. With so many options, you may be wondering, “What’s the difference between all these fabrics?” In this article, we’ll cover the different types of fabrics to help you choose the best option for your outdoor space.
Sunbrella fabric
Sunbrella is a common name when it comes to fabric. In fact, many people use the term “Sunbrella umbrella” when requesting information. However, there is actually no such thing as a Sunbrella umbrella. Sunbrella is simply a fabric made by factories in Glen Raven. But because Glen Raven has been a leader in making performance fabrics for forty-five years, people assume it makes umbrellas, too. Sunbrella is a heavy-duty solution-dyed acrylic fabric made with fixed colors. The long life of the colors of Sunbrella fabrics is one of the main reasons to buy umbrellas made with this product. Umbrellas and cushions with this durable fabric come with a 5-year fade guarantee and typically outlast any fabric in the industry.
Sunbrella is also well known for its resistance to UV rays. Sunbrella shade fabrics have been tested and found to provide up to 98% UV protection in shade applications and have been awarded the “Seal of Recommendation” from the International Skin Cancer Foundation. Along with UV protection and color retention, Sunbrella has great water repellency. This does not mean that it is waterproof, but because the fibers are woven so tightly, there is a high degree of water resistance that allows them to stay outdoors even in light rain.
solar acrylic fabric
Suncrylic is another solution-dyed acrylic fabric you can get on your outdoor umbrella canopy. Slightly lighter than Sunbrella, Suncrylic also offers a high degree of UV resistance and water repellency. The biggest difference between Suncrylic and Sunbrella is in the ability to resist fading and the warranty offered. Suncrylic fabrics are guaranteed to be colorfast for a period of 1 year from the time of purchase.
olefin fabric
Another fabric option for patio umbrellas is Olefin. This is also a solution-dyed acrylic fabric that is considered high-density yet lightweight. Olefin is a woven fabric that holds its color well, provides protection from harmful UV rays, and resists staining. It is durable and easy to clean, with a one year guarantee against fading. Texsilk is a brand of Olefin fabric that can be used as a parasol canopy. Although Texsilk is waterproof, it is machine washable for easy cleaning.
polyester fabric
Like acrylic, polyester is a man-made fabric. This fabric is lightweight, breathable, and less costly to the manufacturer, so it is commonly used by outdoor furniture and clothing manufacturers to make economically suitable products. Polyester is not a natural water or fade resistant fabric. For this reason, polyester canopies are sometimes coated with polyurethane or Scotch Guard protection to aid in fade resistance. While polyester fabric patio umbrellas are inexpensive, they have certain qualities that may be undesirable to some consumers. The main reason to switch to an acrylic type fabric is that polyester fabrics generally fade much faster than anything else on the market. Specifically, if you are in a region of the country with severe or extreme weather like Arizona, polyester fabrics may not be the best choice for you unless you are diligent about covering or storing them when not in use. If you’re buying an item with polyester fabrics, it’s best to recommend sticking to anything above 600 thread count or higher to get the best value for your money. Also, here’s a quick tip: You’ll notice a lot less fading issues with lighter-colored polyester fabrics. White, natural, and beige seem to last much longer than blues, reds, and blacks.
Also, it is important to keep polyester fabric umbrellas away from any flame sources such as torches, candles and patio heaters as it is flammable.
Coolaroo fabric
Coolaroo is a unique canopy fabric that provides up to 90% UV protection while keeping temperatures cool under the shade. Shading your patio table or chairs with a Coolaroo awning reduces temperatures by up to 30%. This breathable fabric is resistant to mildew, is easy to clean and comes with a 5-year guarantee against UV damage.
There you have it, a wide range of fabrics and colors to choose from, whether you are shopping for an aluminum umbrella or a wooden market umbrella for your next outdoor umbrella purchase.