Vol. 55 The difference between indoor and outdoor fabric.

Many of you have been asking if the same fabric can be used indoors as outdoors and actually not, but all outdoor performance fabrics can be used indoors.

In fact, indoor and outdoor upholstery fabric began with the need for stain-resistant furniture fabrics inside homes.

Outdoor fabric was the first stain-resistant fabric, so people began upholstering their living room furniture with outdoor fabric. Precisely, many of our catalog started in a similar way.

But now, what is the difference between one and the other.

The interior and exterior fabrics have small differences that make them unique.

For indoor use it generally has a lower UV rating, that is, resistance to UV rays.

Outdoor upholstery fabric needs additional protection as the fiber is more exposed to the elements or a surface unlike others found inside a home or living room.

These are usually made of synthetic fibers, especially acrylic, polypropylene and polyester. Polyester is great for a one-season product, but it will get the lowest results from UV tests. Instead, acrylic and polypropylene will work better depending on the UV stabilizers used in the fabric.

Outdoor yarns have a higher UV rating due to the addition of UV stabilizers. This allows the yarn to be exposed to direct sunlight for longer and will slow down the fading process.

Over time, outdoor fabrics will eventually decrease in performance and fade.
Lightfastness hours are sometimes used to determine and test resistance to fading.

Outdoor fabrics often have a chemical protectant that helps repel water and stains. Additionally, outdoor textiles with stain-resistant qualities are perfect for those who have large families and active lifestyles.

So does this mean that exterior fabrics can be used for the interior of a space?

Clear! Outdoor fabric can be used indoors and will even last longer than indoor fibers like cotton or linen. Most outdoor fabrics have a finish that helps protect the fabric even more than indoor upholstery fabric such as stain resistance, water repellency, sunlight resistance, anti-pilling and much more.

Discover our extensive catalog right here on our page or contact one of our sellers for more information.

Author | Jimena Chavez  

"This information is for reference only, to obtain precise details about the use, qualities and care of our products, it is necessary to consult directly with your seller before making a purchase or receiving recommendations."