Benefits And Drawbacks Of top 10 Sofa Upholstery Fabrics
Upholstery furniture is known for the style, comfort, and luxury that it provides. When it comes to sofa upholstery, the choices are endless. To save you from headaches, we’ve gathered the pros and cons of the top 10 sofa upholstery fabrics so that you can make a better decision. So, let’s get started.
Leather
Benefits
- Luxurious
- Comfortable
- Easy to maintain
- Can last for as long as 5 years
- Does not absorb stains or liquid
- Extremely durable
- Resistant to chemicals and other products that can harm the sofa
- Does not smell bed
- Well-suited to heavy use
Drawbacks
- As leather has tanned skin, so it can crack or split. Sofas upholstered with leather can be easily damaged by sharp objects.
- Unlike other fabrics, leather is hard. Therefore, you may not get enough comfort.
- Expensive
Olefin
Benefits
- Resistant to moisture, fading, chemicals, and fire
- Can be easily cleaned with bleach
- Water-based stains can be easily removed from olefin sofa upholstery
- Durable and long-lasting sofa upholstery fabric
Drawbacks
- Excessive sunlight exposure can make olefin sofas brittle
- Vulnerable to light, oil, and heat
- Oil-based stains cannot be removed from olefin sofas
- Olefin is not versatile
Wool
Benefits
- Resistant to wrinkling, fading, moisture, fire, mold, and mildew
- Durable
- Environmentally-friendly sofa upholstery material
- Great insulation features
Drawbacks
- Expensive
Polyester
Benefits
- Versatile
- Comfortable and soft
- Dries quickly in case of washing and spills
- Easy to clean
- Resistant to stains and abrasions
- Does not absorb smells
Drawbacks
- Can be cracked when exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations
- Polyester can stretch over time
- Flammable, so you can’t smoke near it
Rayon
Benefits
- Comfortable and soft
- Cheap as compared to other sofa upholstery fabrics
- Resistant to mildew and moths
Drawbacks
- Can be scratched quickly
- Due to low elastic recovery, rayon cannot quickly return to its original state
- Vulnerable to wrinkling and moisture
Cotton
Benefits
- Resistant to abrasion and pilling
- Breathable
- Can be dyed in any of your favorite color
- Durable
- Comfortable and soft
- The hypoallergenic nature of cotton makes it ideal for people suffering from allergies
Drawbacks
- Prone to wrinkling
- Can catch the color of any object easily
Acetate
Benefits
- Resistant to humidity, pilling, mold, and mildew
- Cheap
- Shiny and lustrous appearance
Drawbacks
- Vulnerable to scratches and wrinkling
- Lacks elasticity and strength
- Not ideal for everyday use
- Catches colors easily
- Acetate upholstered sofas need to be dry-cleaned
Linen
Benefits
- Smooth, soft, and super comfortable sofa upholstery fabric
- Extremely durable
- Resistant to abrasions, fading, pilling, and mildew
- Budget-friendly
- Eco-friendly
- Possesses natural sheen and luster
Drawbacks
- Prone to wrinkles and soiling
- Not ideal for rough use
- Requires professional cleaning
Silk
Benefits
- Versatile
- Long-lasting
- Luxurious
- Can well-retain its shape
Drawbacks
- Vulnerable to fading, spills, and sun damage
- Silk is not family-friendly and pet-friendly
- Expensive
- Needs dry-cleaning
- Not ideal for regular use
Velvet
Benefits
- Luxurious
- Can be dyed in any of your favorite color
- Possesses great insulation features
Drawbacks
- Difficult to maintain
- Expensive
- Not suitable for regular use
With a lot of sofa upholstery materials available in the market, choosing the right one could be extremely difficult. However, you can consider the above benefits and drawbacks of each before making a final choice. Hope this guide was enough informative for you in choosing the perfect sofa upholstery material!