PREMIUM OUTDOOR/INDOOR
RETICULATED FOAM
Reticulated foam is a very porous, low density solid foam. 'Reticulated' means like a net. Reticulated foams are extremely open foams i.e. there are few, if any, intact bubbles or cell windows. In contrast, the foam formed by soap bubbles is composed solely of intact (fully enclosed) bubbles.
PREMIUM OUTDOOR/INDOOR
HIGH DENSITY FOAM
Foam Density
All the outdoor foam we use is a 1.75-1.85 density. This is one of the important factors of foam performance for comfort, support and durability. It's also a main factor of the cost of the foam. Foam density is not really weight, it's actually a measurement of mass per unit volume for a cubic foot of filling.
Foam Firmness
All of the filling that we use is 21-29 lb firmness or IFD. The larger the number is, the firmer the foam will feel.
OUTDOOR/INDOOR
FABRIC SWATCHES
Choose your outdoor fabric(s) from swatches below Ideal for...
Pillows, Cushions, Blinds, Curtains, Awnings, Marine Upholstery, Shade Sails...
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ABOUT OUR FABRICS
Outdoor fabrics are different from indoor fabrics in the way they are made. They have to be more durable, and they must undergo a special chemical treatment process during manufacturing that makes them mildew and stain resistant. All outdoor fabrics are woven fibers that differ in strength and durability. The main difference between the different types of outdoor fabric really lies in the manufacturing process and the type of fibers that they are made from
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BGF Poly-Olefin is a man-made fiber that is usually used with other fibers to create outdoor fabric blends. It is used in outdoor furniture and for other applications, such as house wrap, marine/boat upholstery and coverings even clothing. poly-olefin has a smooth texture and is solution-dyed. It is a durable fabric that dries quickly and resistant to weathering, chemicals, stains and mildew.
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CHARACTERISTICS:
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Lightweight, lightest fiber, it floats
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Strong
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Abrasion resistant, resilient
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Stain-, static-, sunlight-, and odor-resistant
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High insulation characteristics
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Resists deterioration from chemicals, mildew, perspiration, rot and weather
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Fast drying
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High wickability
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Color fast, because colors are incorporated during fiber forming stage
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Spills can be readily wiped up
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Static and pilling can be a problem
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Ironing, washing and drying need to be done at low temperature
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Non-allergenic
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FYI: Our outdoor fabric matches or even surpasses "Sunbrella" fabric on all benchmarks (see our data sheet below) and at a fraction of the cost. Sunbrella brand outdoor fabric is solution dyed acrylic. Solution dyed basically means that the fibers that the fabric is made of are dyed in a color solution before they are woven
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OUR FABRIC DATA SHEET
Our Fabric is BGF Poly-Olefin
Sunbrella fabric is solution dyed acrylic
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SELECTING THE RIGHT THREAD
Thread is a small piece of a sewing project but its importance is undeniable. Selecting the right thread for your application ensures that you will get the best performing seams. One key factor to keep in mind is the end location of the projects. Outdoor projects require threads that can stand up to the weather, while interior pieces have different performance needs.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Applications
Outdoor applications require specific traits such as UV resistance, high strength and resistance to abrasion, mildew and often saltwater to ensure it will last in a variety of weather conditions.
For indoor applications, the UV resistance becomes less important and abrasion resistance and stretch become more important. Upholstery applications, for example, require a thread that has good elasticity so it will give and recover when you sit on it.
Lifetime Threads
These threads will outlast your fabric! We carry two brands of lifetime threads: One is made from a unique fluoropolymer and the other is made from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Both of these brands carry a lifetime guarantee. These threads are unaffected by exposure to UV rays, harsh cleaning agents, pollution, saltwater, rain, snow, cold and rot. Lifetime threads carry a lot of performance benefits, but they are a little pricey. They are much more expensive upfront but will require less re-stitching over the lifetime of your upholstery. Lifetime threads are often used for outdoor, marine,shade sails and awning applications.
Polyester
Polyester is known for its strength, durability, and low shrinkage and stretch. It's the most common thread for outdoor applications. Compared to nylon thread, polyester thread has superior resistance to UV rays and moisture, but much of its strength is lost after prolonged exposure to sunlight. Polyester thread comes in a variety of colors to match your fabric, but the colors will fade to white over time in the sun. We recommend using a UV treated polyester thread for outdoor cushions and upholstery, sails, outdoor canvas covers, boat covers, awnings, tents and tarps.
Nylon
Nylon is one of the strongest synthetic threads in use today. It has a high strength-to-size ratio in comparison to polyester thread and is also known for its flexibility and stretch. The high tensile strength of nylon makes it ideal for heavy fabrics used in home décor. The added elasticity is also ideal for upholstery applications. While nylon is a great general-purpose thread, we do not recommend it for outdoor applications. Nylon does not have the UV resistance of polyester thread and will not last as long outside, but is fine for indoor upholstery.