Outdoor Fabric

Weather-Wise Home Decorating

Today's weather-resistant materials provide great outdoor style. Some synthetic fabrics faithfully reproduce the look and feel of natural fibers, such as canvas, and resist mold, mildew, and fading. Use them for cushions, pillows, and curtains to brighten and energize outdoor rooms. Fabrics may enhance privacy and protect you from the sun when they're used as canopies, curtains, or privacy screens. You can use finer fabrics on pillows and cushions, but bring them indoors when not in use.

Choosing Fabric
Fabric is an ideal way to splash your outdoor space with color. Fabrics used outdoors often feature bolder colors and larger patterns than those used indoors.

Look for fabrics that breathe and repel water to avoid mildew. Depending on sun exposure, fade-resistant materials could be quite important.

Natural fabrics are least resistant to mold and mildew, so synthetics are best for outdoor use. Even though an upholstery fabric may be designed to repel moisture, the padding within the fabric probably is not; store padded cushions indoors when not in use.

Solution-dyed acrylics dry quickly, resist mildew and fading, and are easily sewn into soft furnishings, pillows, and curtains. Look for products that are coated with a moisture - and stain-resistant finish for improved wear.

Woven polyester is coated with vinyl to produce an especially strong, durable fabric ideal for umbrellas, hammocks, and seat cushions.

Laminated cotton is made by coating cotton fabric with acrylic or polyurethane. The result is a tough, flexible outdoor material that resists moisture. However, the natural cotton fibers are still prone to fading and mildew spotting; limit their use to sheltered areas. You can waterproof your own fabrics with iron-on vinyl available at fabrics stores.

Hearty natural fabrics such as canvas, duck, and twill are strong but only mildly resist fading. They can be used for cushions, curtains, shades, and slipcovers, but they're prone to mildew - make sure they can be removed easily for cleaning.