Upholstery Fiber Guide
Upholstery fibers not only determine how a fabric will look and feel, but also how it will wear, how care-intensive it will be, and the cleaning methods you’ll have to employ.
In short, fabric is one of the most important factors in how any upholstered furniture will look and wear. It is also a major deciding factor when you buy furniture. Here is a guide to different fibers so that you can find a good match for your needs.
Broadway Furniture Can Offer You Many Different Types Of Upholstery For Your Furniture
When creating a fabric, manufacturers often blend fibers together, because blending fibers produces more interesting textures and colors. Blending fibers can also make a fabric more supple, and better able to withstand every day wear and tear.
Considerations for Fabric Shopping:
- Appropriateness to lifestyle.
- Resistance to stains, soil, abrasion and sunlight.
- Care and maintenance.
- How long it can be expected to last.
Basic Fiber Categories:
- Natural fibers, which can be cellulose, or plant based fibers, and protein, or animal fibers.
- Synthetic, or man-made fibers.
Some natural fibers such as cotton and linen are derived from plants.
Cotton
Cotton is a popular plant based fiber that is used extensively.
- There are different grades of cotton. Premium grades, which have long staple, can be almost as expensive as silk and just as lustrous. Lesser grades, with a shorter fiber length, can be fuzzy and dull.
- Cotton takes finishes and dyes really well.
- Cotton is strong and versatile, but not very resistant to wrinkling and stretching.
- It soils easily and consequently needs fabric protection to deter stains. Cotton blended with other fibers is easier to use than plain cotton.
Linen
Linen is another plant derived fiber, and shares many similarities with cotton.
- Linen is available in a variety of grades, with the finer grades looking smooth and almost silk like.
- Like cotton, linen is not very resilient and wrinkles easily, and needs to be blended with other fibers.
- Linen ages well, as it doesn’t fade from light and is resistant to insects. However, it is prone to mold and mildew and will not tolerate very high humidity. Because of its high maintenance, it is more often used in drapery and wall coverings instead of upholstery.
- Linen can cleaned easily as it can be washed and ironed or dry cleaned.
You can find A Fantastic Selection Of Quality Furniture at One Of The Best Portland Oregon Furniture Stores.
Broadway Furniture
228 NE Broadway
Portland Oregon 97232
503 — 281 — 5555
“Your Doorway To Values”
We Are Locally Owned and Family Run For Over 70 Years!
Our store carries over 50,000 square feet of furniture and accessories on 5 floors.
If you don’t see it on our showroom floor, we can special order it for you – at No Additional Cost!
article source:http://furniture.about.com/od/buyingfurniture/a/FiberGuide_2.htm
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