Sofa Upholstery Fabric is an interesting term that is often overlooked by people when shopping for furniture. However, what is so often misunderstood is just what it actually is. The word 'upholstered' simply refers to the covering of the furniture itself. Sofa can be any number of things, from throw rugs to sofa beds.
Sofa Upholstery Fabric is simply the upholstery attachments like springs, padding, fabric, and webbing that make up the furniture soft covering. It makes a huge difference in both the quality and comfort of your piece. Unlike leather or other upholstery fabrics, sofa upholstery fabric is usually made using a lighter cotton weave, giving it a softer feel. This allows your sofa to muffle sound much better, which also helps keep your room quieter.
Another common misconception about upholstery fabric is that most sofas are covered with it, but this isn't really true. Although there are some exceptions, modern sofas are typically covered with a light cotton or polyester fabric that acts as a slipcover. These fabrics also come in a wide array of colors, styles, and designs. In fact, there are some sofas that have their own unique patterns and designs on the actual fabric. Polyester and cotton uppers are also durable and resistant to tear, stain, and wear.
In addition to being easy to clean and maintain, these fabrics are also resistant to fire and other potential problems. Sofa fabric doesn't burn easily, nor does it catch on fire as fabric covered furniture normally does. A common problem with traditional leather furniture pieces is that they can easily catch fire when there is a drop in temperature from the hot lamp you have on them. This is also less likely to happen with sofa upholstery fabric.
A very important thing to remember when choosing which type of fabric you want for your new sofa is to consider the durability of the fabric. Sofas are used quite often, and although cheaper, they can still take quite a beating. They can sustain heavy scratches and drops that can damage the frame or the cushions underneath. Many sofas resist scratching and absorption by water, however, so they should always remain dry if you choose to put them in a damp environment.
Natural fibers are good choices for upholstery fabrics because they are less likely to be damaged by water, stains, or burns. Also, natural fibers are usually less slippery than synthetic blends, meaning that they are unlikely to slip on a person when they get too enthusiastic about getting up off the couch. Synthetic blends are generally more slippery, and will most likely cause slips, falls, or bumps if they get wet. If you live in an area that sees high levels of humidity, then you may want to go for the natural fibers, as they will be better able to resist moisture.