When it comes to choosing the perfect upholstery for your furniture, durability and style are often top priorities. Designed to withstand daily wear and tear, performance fabrics are a great upholstery option: they’re built to last and have hundreds of styles for you to choose. If you’re a parent, a pet owner, or run a busy household, performance fabric is a long-term investment for your furniture and home.
What Is Performance Fabric?
Performance fabric refers the upholstery material that covers your furniture (some examples include seats like sofas, sectionals, chairs, and upholstered dining chairs). However, performance fabrics are specifically designed to withstand the rigors of daily life while maintaining their aesthetic appeal. Unlike traditional fabrics that may show wear and tear quickly, performance fabrics are engineered to be more durable, stain-resistant, water-resistant, and easier to clean. These fabrics are treated with specialized coatings or are woven to enhance their resistance to fading, abrasion, and moisture damage.
The term “performance” doesn’t just imply longevity; it also speaks to the versatility of these fabrics.
Since there are hundreds of colors and patterns to choose from, they can be used in a variety of environments and easily match with your home’s current style: whether it’s a high-traffic dining room, a busy family room, or a pet-friendly space. Your furniture can handle any spills, accidents, or mishaps and still look great year after year.
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Trouper Rocker Recliner
Collage Rocker Recliner
Hawthorn Rocker Recliner
Performance Appeal: Resistance
One of the big sellers of performance fabric is its natural stain resistance. Whether it's spilled wine, muddy shoes, or the occasional marker mishap, the fabric's protective layer prevents liquids from soaking in and stains from setting. Instead of being absorbed, most spills bead up on the surface, making cleanup a breeze with a simple dab or wipe. This technology works by altering the surface tension of the fabric, so it resists absorbing moisture or oils. It's a lifesaver for households with kids, pets, or anyone who values both style and practicality.
Performance fabric is not just resistant to spills and stains, it’s also resistant to sun damage. Everyone enjoys natural lighting in their home, but the fading it can do to your furniture is not enjoyable. Fade-resistant fabrics are designed to protect the fibers and ensure that your investment lasts longer. The fabric works by preventing the colors from breaking down or fading prematurely, so you can enjoy that “new couch” look without worrying about the sun ruining it. So, even as the seasons change and the sun beats down, your furniture stays just as stunning as the day you brought it home. A little sunlight shouldn’t dim your style and home comfort.
Performance Appeal: Durability
Homes with lots of activity from kids, pets, and frequent guests can wear down furniture quickly. Performance fabrics are designed to withstand daily use like sitting, sliding, rubbing, and pilling. Fabrics are tested for wear by doing what is called the ‘Double Rub Count.’ This is when one section of the fabric is rubbed over and over, back and forth until it shows signs of wear. The fabric’s durability is then categorized by the amount of rubs it withstands. Basic fabrics will average around 10,000 to 15,000 double rubs. Performance fabrics are double that with an average of over 20,000 double rubs. Truly withstanding all types of wear, performance fabrics can help you enjoy your furniture longer.
Performance Appeal: Easy Maintenance
Life is always moving, so the last thing that should slow you down is furniture maintenance. Thanks to performance fabric, you can save time with easy cleaning: they’re made to be low maintenance with all their durable and resistant features. Most performance fabrics can be simply spot cleaned, brushed, or vacuumed off. If you like a fresh and clean feel to your furniture without the hassle, then performance fabric is a game changer. Since they are easy to clean and maintain, people with allergies will benefit much more when compared to regular fabric types.
Maintenance may vary slightly depending on the type of performance fabric: always read the included care instructions!
At the Furniture Mart, cleaning your performance fabric furniture is easy! All fabrics are given a ‘Cleanability Code’ to indicate how they should be cleaned. There are three different codes: W, S, and WS.
A reminder for your first time cleaning a performance fabric: make sure to perform a small cleaning test before any major cleaning! Find a small place on your furniture (example: the back of a sofa or a corner of an upholstered dining chair) that won’t be noticed and dab a tiny amount of the proper cleaning liquid. This is to make sure that your water or solvent cleaner won’t discolor your furniture. Although the greatest care is taken when labeling fabrics with the proper codes, it’s always best to double check.
Our Performance Fabric Vendors
Many leading brands offer the exciting option to customize your pieces with performance fabrics. At the Furniture Mart, we can choose between multiple brands, colors, patterns, and styles. Whether you're after something ultra-durable, stain-resistant, or fade-resistant, these brands provide a range of fabric choices that combine style and practicality. Customizing your furniture with these performance fabrics lets you create a piece that fits your aesthetic and lifestyle, ensuring both beauty and functionality. To learn more about the custom order process, click here.
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Performance fabrics are the ultimate solution for those seeking both style and durability in their furniture. Whether you have a busy household, pets, or simply want to make long-lasting investments, performance fabric offers unmatched resilience, easy maintenance, and the ability to maintain its style over time. With options from top brands like La-Z-Boy and England Furniture, you can customize your furniture to perfectly suit your home and lifestyle. Make the choice to elevate your home with performance fabrics that work as hard as you do.
