The Type Of Fabric You Choose Matters.
Whether you want to create a residential or commercial awning, or you'd like to shelter your restaurant patio, the type of fabric you choose for your custom project matters. Among other critical factors to consider, such as the aesthetics, size, and style, the type of shade fabric you consider may make or ruin your project entirely. Because of this, the type of fabric you choose, matters.
Elements to Consider When Choosing Custom Fabric
The shade fabric market has wide-ranging specialty fabrics, such as polyester, PVC coated mesh, acrylic, vinyl, and other types of composite materials. Understanding the aspects to consider is crucial as it alleviates the cost of poor quality. Below are 11 essential factors to look into when searching for your next project's custom fabric.
Durability
Longevity is essential when it comes to fabric. Shade cloth installations are designed to shelter an area from the sun and other weather conditions. What you need is a material that can endure the wear and tear that comes with constant use. However, if you're working on a decorative piece, then you have more flexibility on the material's durability.
Colorfast
A colorfast fabric is a cloth that can retain its color despite constant exposure to elements. Most consumers choose the fabric color based on the function and climate. If you live or operate in a warmer region, lighter colors reflect away heat. On the other hand, darker shades retain more heat, thus ideal for use in colder regions. With that in mind, the material must be fade-resistant to guarantee proper functionality.
Crack-proof
Generally, the cracks result from continuous degradation of the material's chemical compositions through sunlight and air exposure. Vinyl is typically prone to cracking, especially in regions with sustained high humidity. You need to be particularly critical of the type of vinyl you choose in such regions. A better substitute is vinyl-coated polyester, which has high flexibility to resist cracks.
UV Resistance
Ultra-violet rays from the sun can destroy fabric through discoloration, fading, or increased brittleness. Metal-and-fabric constructions protect users from the sun, and it's essential to ensure the cloth you select has high resistance to the destructive UV rays.
Flexibility
Many fabric options you'll find in consumer markets feature synthetic yarns as the basis to increase flexibility – and strength. However, not all fabrics offer long-lasting flexibility. Some lose flexibility, becoming brittle over time, and that causes the material to disintegrate or crack.
Water Resistance
Rainwater and moisture can have a severe impact on the structural integrity of your awnings and other fabric-covered units. Granted, it would be best to find a shade cloth that's highly resistant to moisture. That means it can prevent mildew and mold growth, enabling you to maintain a safe and durable structure.
Dimensional Stability
After installation, the fabric covering a metal structure is usually stretched to optimum tightness. Some materials tend to lose dimension because of fluctuations in temperature. That's why some awning fabrics sag during hot weather. A dimensionally stable cloth is the perfect option for indoor and outdoor projects.
Fabric Strength
A fabric's longevity is highly hinged on its strength. High strength means it can resist extreme tension forces without tearing apart. Quality fabric is one that has passed tension tests, and neither deliberate tearing nor environmental forces can damage the material.
Understand the Failure Point under Different Weather Conditions
Knowing the weakening point of your fabric under certain weather events saves you money and time in the long term. Fabrics do not offer the same performance level in different conditions. Some withstand strong winds, while others work well in rainy and snowy weather. For instance, if you live in an area that experiences strong winds, it would be best to consider a fixed metal frame to overcome the windy conditions. On the other hand, people in areas that snow frequently should pick a fabric based on the estimated snow load. A custom fabric professional can examine your area and discuss with you the fabric options to buy from a snow load perspective.
Know Your Budget
Like most things, your budget will determine the quality of fabric you purchase. Anyone wishing to utilize higher-end fabric will have to pay for it, or look for other options. While it's easy to go for the cheapest fabric, you'll have to deal with quality issues (many of which we discussed above). Your best bet of finding quality material with a tight budget is to partner with our team to identify the right fabric for you, based on your project's unique needs.
Do You Need a Welded Seam?
Should I consider heat-welded seams for my custom fabric structure? The answer to that depends on where you install the fabric and how frequently it's used. If you intend to build an all-weather structure, you might want to consider a heat-welded seam instead of glued/taped seams. Heat-engineered seams are four times durable, and they reduce seaming time by virtually half.
Common Fabrics We Use for Different Projects
When choosing the right fabric for your indoor or outdoor project, the caveat is that not one type satisfies all the elements discussed above. That said, it is essential to partner with a trusted resource like Canvas Craft to ensure you get the proper fabric for your unique project. Below, we've discussed the common shade cloths we use, where we apply them, and their benefits.
Serge Ferrari
Manufactured by Serge Ferrari, this fabric is a flexible composite material known for being lightweight, long-lasting, and recyclable. The lightweight material allows for fluid, eye-catching designs and allows installers to use various approaches that reduce the material intensity in a structure.
The material provides enhanced durability, guaranteeing that our clients will enjoy the fabric's long functional lifespan. Serge Ferrari is also an environmentally sustainable cloth, thanks to its recyclability. The cloth's lightweight nature enables us to apply it for various projects, including modular structures, solar protection, yachting, and tensile architectural structures.
SurLast
Another popular fabric we love to use is SurLast. Available in a wide range of dyes, the fabric is a urethane-coated polyester fabric that gives the cloth enhanced dimensional stability, reduced shrinkage, and high water resistance.
We primarily use it in the construction of custom fabric shelters on marine vessels and high-humidity areas. It's highly resistant to abrasion caused by gel coat and other commonly used marine finishes. It also stands up to tensile forces and doesn't unravel. Additionally, consumers can choose from a gamut of colors to suit their preferences: Black, Admiral Navy, Ruby, Sand, Scarlet, Midnight, Graphite, and Forest.
PolyFab
Ideal for residential and commercial projects, PolyFab shade fabric boasts of being one of the limited flame retardant fabrics in the industry. We used it in various fabrications, from aesthetic shades on amusement parks to greenhouses in the horticultural sector.
Not only are PolyFab shade cloths free from halogen FR additives, but the material is also 100% recyclable, providing an eco-friendly product. Depending on the fabric, customers enjoy a three- to 15-year UV warranty. Combine that with Canvas Craft's quality guarantee, and you can rest assured that your project will endure the test of time.
Sunbrella
If you plan on creating a patio or have a boat that requires a flexible, topical cover, Sunbrella offers the perfect shade cloth.
The material offers a range of benefits, including a minimum 10-year fade-resistance guarantee, sun protection, breathable design, high mold and mildew resistance, and low maintenance – easily cleanable using bleach. They also excel in aesthetics, providing homeowners with some beautiful and comforting colors that add a charming appeal to your space.
Trivantage
Trivantage has made a name for itself as a leading manufacturer of boat covers, and for all the great reasons. We prefer using this boat cover because it features Trivantage's patented Perfecta Marine technology that regulates heat gains, thus maintaining a cool interior.
The fabric also features a vinyl resin-laminated coat that gives the material enhanced resistance to abrasive impacts. Furthermore, the fabric's underside features a water-resistant finish that keeps mold and mildew at bay. It also repels destructive elements like oils, stains, and chemicals. Considering how often boats are exposed to the sunlight, Trivantage fabric is designed with high UV-resistance capabilities, preventing cracking and fading.
If you're planning to construct a residential, commercial, or industrial fabric structure, contact Canvas Craft today! We have experts who can offer quality and client-focused consultancy when selecting the shade fabric.