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May 1st, 2021

Why Sunbrella Fabrics Are the Best for Every Occasion

When you install a retractable shade system, choosing a fabric to cover it is one of the most crucial choices you’ll make. The material you choose is arguably the most critical element because it acts as a buffer between you and the elements, not to mention it defines your home’s unique design statement.

With sturdy and practical awnings, Sunbrella fabrics revolutionized the outdoor experience in the 1960s. Their durable fabrics are still engineered with cutting-edge technology and crafted in a wide variety of colors and designs to ensure they meet your needs decades later. Let’s dive in with a brief history of the company before discussing all its products’ benefits.

ABOUT SUNBRELLA

Sunbrella has worked diligently since its debut on the fabric scene in 1961 to design and manufacture the world’s most durable and stylish fabrics for a variety of applications. Sunbrella is the pioneer in high-quality all-weather materials, from indoor armchairs and outdoor furniture to convertible boat covers and water-repellant, sun-proof tops.

Sunbrella has the expertise and resources to continue to reinvent and inspire the industry as the pioneers of performance fabrics. Sunbrella’s fashionable and long-lasting products can be traced back to their origins as awning fabrics: cotton was the most common awning material in 1961, but Sunbrella was about to shake up the fabric world with a new material that could last up to ten times longer than cotton, needed less maintenance, and didn’t fade in color. Color-to-the-core processing is used instead of dying in their proprietary fibers. As a result, all Sunbrella fabric colors are integral to the fibers themselves, rather than just superficial stains on the fabric exterior.

Sunbrella quickly became the most popular awning fabric thanks to clever new coloring techniques and revolutionary engineering. Sunbrella promptly gained a reputation for its water-repellency and fade-resistance, and sailors and boating companies quickly embraced the material. Sunbrella is now the most common, long-lasting fabric material for outdoor wood furniture cushions, as well as awnings and watercraft covers, only a few years later.

Sunbrella outlasts other outdoor textile brands, is easier to clean and maintain, is more resistant to sun and weather damage, is scratch and cut resistant, and comes in a broader range of colors and designs. Sunbrella fabrics are meticulously made to last up to ten years, which is more than twice as long as any other outdoor fabrics from other companies. This fact means it will keep your patio furniture sets looking great long after most consumer-grade fabrics have passed their expiration date.

ECO-FRIENDLY WITH A FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY

The company puts a focus on using materials and processes that are sustainable. Sunbrella fabric is designed to be both efficient and environmentally friendly. Their one-of-a-kind system saves both water and electricity and guarantees no water is lost during the color saturation process. 

Sunbrella fabrics, yarns, and fibers are all made in an environmentally friendly way. Their commitment to quality means that you receive a product that lasts longer and requires less replacement, resulting in less waste. Sunbrella goods retain their color and strength longer than conventional fabrics in all of the markets. 

Sunbrella production plants and their numerous clients’ cutting tables produce surplus fiber, yarn, and fabric during the fabric manufacturing process. Sunbrella took on seeking a new use for this waste, and thus the Renaissance yarn program was born. 

CONSCIENTIOUS MANUFACTURING

Sunbrella’s vertically integrated brand ensures consistent product consistency and greater control over several stages of the manufacturing process. They work closely with manufacturers to develop and source the highest quality proprietary raw materials. Sunbrella engineers work with fiber suppliers on proprietary formulations. Sustainable manufacturing techniques are used in several phases of the fabric production cycle, thanks to their professional technical experts and a qualified sustainability team.

There isn’t a single Sunbrella production plant in the world that dumps waste. This initiative helps Sunbrella manufacturing lead by example by putting sustainability into practice every day globally, thanks to Sunbrella’s emphasis on quality and robust reuse and recycling efforts. As opposed to traditional coloring methods, Sunbrella solution-dyed upholstery fabrics use less water. Sunbrella means that you get a product that lasts longer and requires less replacement, resulting in less waste.

RECYCLING PROGRAM

Sunbrella has been recycling acrylic production waste for more than 25 years and delivering it to partners who turn the materials into industrial goods like felt, automotive insulation, and filtration. They launched the Recycle My Sunbrella initiative in 2010, which encourages domestic customers to engage in their recycling efforts. This effort is a unique take-back scheme for fabric remnants, awning covers, boat covers, and upholstery fabric that offers an alternative to disposal. Recycle my Sunbrella has accumulated almost one million pounds of material that would otherwise have ended up in a landfill since its conception.

For manufacturing plants, some textile waste is unavoidable. Sunbrella is doing its part by turning waste fibers into Sunbrella Renaissance yarns, which are then used to make recycled upholstery fabrics of up to 93 percent recycled material. Renaissance yarns combine up to 50% of this postindustrial recycled Sunbrella fiber. The waste is segmented into color groups, reduced back to its fiber state, and then mixed with Sunbrella virgin fiber before making its way back through the fabric manufacturing process. 

The fiber blend helps ensure that the product meets stringent Sunbrella performance standards. Sunbrella Renaissance yarns create the occasional, natural variation of shade or specks of color thanks to their unique composition, adding to the fabric’s visual interest. The result is a textile with vintage charm, rich coloration, soft feel, and excellent performance.

SUSTAINABLY FOCUSED CERTIFICATIONS:

  • GREENGUARD Gold
  • Sunbrella eco-friendly upholstery fabrics are GREENGUARD-certified for low chemical emissions, contributing to healthy indoor air quality.
  • STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®
  • Most Sunbrella upholstery fabrics have been tested in an independent laboratory to verify they contain no harmful substances according to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® (19.HUS.73033 HOHENSTEIN HTTI).
  • ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management
  • The Anderson manufacturing facility has been third-party verified to meet the ISO 14001 Environmental Management standard, an international standard for organizations to reduce their environmental impact.
  • Facts Silver
  • Sunbrella Contract fabrics have been independently certified by UL Environment for Facts Silver certification. These fabrics meet the NSF/ANSI 336 standard, a multi-attribute sustainability standard for contract fabrics.

SUNBRELLA FOR AWNINGS

The Sunbrella awning fabric line is durable yet attractive. It is soft to the touch, unlike other artificial fabrics. It’s woven and lightly textured to give it the appearance and feel of cotton. It has been the preferred option of boaters for nearly 50 years, and it is now available for other uses such as retractable backyard awnings and pool umbrellas. Sunbrella also makes cushions and pillows for outdoor furniture that are both comfortable and long-lasting. You can choose from a wide range of fade-resistant colors and patterns to add a touch of elegance to your home all year. You can get some shade and shield yourself from harmful UVA and UVB rays with UV protection.

Durable Sunbrella fibers are saturated with color and UV stabilized pigments to the heart, ensuring that their fabrics will not fade or become damaged due to the sun’s harsh rays or everyday wear. Sunbrella fabrics, unlike ordinary materials, are solution-dyed with vibrant colors that last no matter what the world throws at them. Sunbrella fabrics are designed to avoid staining and moisture. Sunbrella fabrics stand up to life’s toughest messes with a waterproof finish that won’t wash away, even after everyday use. 

All Sunbrella fabrics are mold and mildew-resistant. Suppose mold or mildew develops due to exposure to soil, debris, or other environmental elements, spot clean with bleach. Sunbrella fabrics are easy to clean and are engineered to maintain their integrity. When life happens, blot spills with a clean, dry cloth use mild soap and warm water to remove. For even the toughest messes, Sunbrella fabrics are safe to clean with a diluted bleach solution.

Exceptional comfort and unparalleled longevity go hand in hand with Sunbrella value fabrics. Sunbrella fabrics are rugged enough for the outdoors but comfortable and cozy enough for the inside. Sunbrella performance fabrics come in various weaves and surface textures, but they all achieve the same goal: long-lasting softness and comfort. Softness and durability are woven into each yarn, making Sunbrella value fabrics ideal for creating relaxing environments.

Sunbrella fabrics’ efficiency is built into the heart of each fiber, not just the surface. Other fabrics have surface finishes that wear away over time and do not maintain the fabric’s integrity. Solution-dyed fabrics retain their rich color and unwavering intensity through normal wear, exposure to natural light and the elements, and cleaning. Long-lasting power Sunbrella performance fabrics are made to last a long time. Mold and mildew-resistant, stain and water-resistant, and engineered to withstand the test of time are all features of their fibers. If you need fabric to withstand the elements in a high-traffic hotel lobby or on your patio or boat through the heat, rain, and storms, Sunbrella fabrics have you covered.

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