Choosing the right fabric can mean the difference between an umbrella that lasts one season and one that lasts season after season. This decision not only affects the overall look of your outdoor spaces, but also how much you may need to spend replacing the umbrella because you weren’t in the know.
Take our fabric quiz below to learn all about why your choice in fabric makes all the difference.
True or False: When purchasing outdoor umbrellas, your choice of fabric is simply about picking a color.
FALSE
Fabric is not just about the color, although that is an important decision. But not all fabrics are created equal. Frankford uses premium 9 oz. marine-grade acrylic-manufactured fabrics to ensure our high-performance standards. We also use an advanced Infinity Process finish for superior waterproofing and long-term durability helping fabrics resist mold and mildew and preventing the canopy from sagging and stretching.
True or False: Marine-grade fabrics are better than upholstery-grade fabrics for outdoor settings.
TRUE
Marine-grade fabrics, technically referred to as solution-dyed acrylics, are manufactured by adding color to the fibers before they are spun into yarn and woven into fabric. This process allows color to become an integral part of the fiber rather than a surface treatment.
As a result, these fabrics are engineered to perform in demanding outdoor and coastal environments. They offer excellent resistance to prolonged UV exposure, moisture, mildew, salt air, and airborne contaminants. Marine-grade fabrics also provide superior color retention, durability, and long-term performance.
While upholstery-grade fabrics are perfectly fine for indoors, they aren’t nearly as durable for outdoors. UV radiation alone will break down the structure of the material, causing colors to fade and the vinyl to crack. Other factors, like extreme temperatures and moisture resistance, also present challenges to these fabrics–limiting their longevity.
True or False: Frankford Umbrellas manufactures its own fabrics.
FALSE
With over a century of American craftsmanship, Frankford Umbrellas focuses on providing the best shade without a shadow of a doubt. To that end, we source our fabrics from trusted textile innovators, such as Recacril® by Recasens, Sunbrella®, and Outdura®.
These vendors use advanced technology to help us ensure that every canopy meets our high standards for durability, color retention, and performance. From solution-dyed acrylics engineered for fade resistance and up to 98% UV protection to water repellency and fiber-level protection against dirt and weather exposure, Frankford Umbrellas perform beautifully in the real world.
So, when it comes to premium outdoor shade for hospitality and commercial settings, Frankford’s marine-grade fabrics are the best choice for patio umbrellas.
True or False: This Is Everything I Need To Know About Umbrella Fabrics
FALSE
Here is a recap, along with a few more things to think about:
- Marine-grade fabrics provide 98% UV protection, offer superior color retention, and hold up to the harshest weather conditions.
- Due to variations in monitor displays, online swatches may not perfectly reflect the actual fabric color. If you need an exact shade to match your branding or personal preferences, please speak directly with a Frankford sales rep for assistance.
- If you want a striped fabric in grades B-F, the fabric requires even quantity orders,for good reason. These umbrella panels are cut in a triangular shape, which means every other panel must be skipped to keep the stripes aligned. The even quantity requirement also prevents fabric waste.
- Frankford partners with trusted textile leaders to provide the best fabrics for patio umbrellas.
How did you do on our quiz? Ready to learn more and start designing your umbrella? Check out our Shade Designer platform or contact our Frankford Umbrellas sales team for more information.
