Salamander fabric pros and cons for sofa. What fabric to choose for sofa upholstery: characteristics of upholstery fabrics, recommendations. What is the best upholstery for the sofa: the choice of material

Upholstered furniture is a must-have design in various residential or public institutions. They are distinguished by the presence of a soft seat, and also have a pleasant and high-quality upholstery. For upholstered furniture, when creating upholstery, can be used different types fabrics. When choosing a fabric for upholstery, it is important to remember that each variety has its own characteristics and parameters, therefore, when choosing a design, one should take into account what it is made of.

All types of fabrics intended for upholstery must meet certain requirements:

  • high attractiveness, compliance with a certain style and tastes of furniture owners;
  • the upholstery fabric must be resistant to abrasion and shrinkage, as well as to stretching;
  • resistance to fire, high temperatures and moisture;
  • environmental friendliness, since all upholstery materials must be safe for permanent use in living quarters;
  • resistance to burnout, if the furniture structure is installed in such a section of the room where the sun's rays will constantly fall on it;
  • the presence of a high-quality and durable base.

When choosing an upholstery fabric, you should decide on its category.

There are several categories of fabrics with which a coating is formed on various interior items. The category is determined depending on different parameters of the material. Its strength, performance parameters, appearance, weight and cost are taken into account.

Accordingly, the fabric for furniture can be presented in the following categories:

  • Category 1 - servant, shannil, scotchguard;
  • 2 and 3 categories - cotton of substantial density, flock, corduroy, suede;
  • 4th category - tapestry, jacquard;
  • 5, 6 categories - artificial leather, arpatek;
  • Category 7 - Genuine Leather low density and cost;
  • Category 8 - genuine leather of considerable density and prices.

Thus, upholstery produced in numerous forms, differing in category and other parameters. Before purchasing any variety, it is recommended to evaluate all its features to make sure that such a purchase is advisable.

Views

For upholstered furniture upholstery can be used various materials... They have their own parameters and properties. It is advisable to study all types in advance, as well as view photos of furniture with each type in order to make the right choice.

Enough interesting choice velor is considered to create high-quality upholstery of furniture. Its main features include:

  • velor is velvety to the touch, so it is incredibly pleasant to touch;
  • the pile on such a coating can always be located in an upright state, or in certain areas of the coating it can be laid on one side;
  • velor can be made using different bases, for which cotton or wool is used, with the woolen base being used most often;
  • it is easy to care for the velor coating, as it will be created using high-tech fibers;
  • such upholstery fabric for furniture has antistatic properties;
  • is a hypoallergenic material;
  • dirt is easily removed from the surface.

However, velor has some drawbacks. This includes the high cost of the material. Additionally, velor does not have good resistance to various mechanical influences.

This modern material possesses the same positive parameters as jacquard, but at the same time has a low price. Its advantages include:

  • long service life;
  • resistance to the appearance of various stains;
  • ecological purity due to the use of only natural ingredients;
  • the softness of the resulting upholstery;
  • high strength of the coating.

With such material for upholstery upholstery, you can easily remove different pollution, for which a standard soap solution is suitable. Do not use abrasives, wash fabrics at high temperatures or survive.

Jacquard is often used for furniture upholstery. This material has original ornament, and there is certainly a large report. When choosing jacquard fabrics, it is determined whether their composition will be monochromatic or mixed.

Jacquard is an expensive material, so when choosing it, you should prepare for significant expenses.

The advantages of this material include high strength and long service life. It is produced in numerous colors, but has high cost... If you choose a material with an anti-claw effect, then it will be expensive.

This material appeared relatively recently. Choose the fabric that is optimal for each soft piece of furniture. Coloring is done using thermal printing technology. A feature of this material is the presence of unusual and unique colors, and bright colours persist for a long time. Additionally, the fabric is highly wear-resistant and durable.

For various upholstered furniture, chenille is chosen quite often. The material got its name due to the fact that a special thread, similar to a caterpillar with a high pile, is included in the composition.

The positive parameters of using this material include:

  • it is possible to choose a fabric with an anti-claw effect, which is important for every pet owner;
  • the material has good density;
  • considered a durable fabric;
  • dust is easily removed with a conventional vacuum cleaner with appropriate attachments;
  • the cost is acceptable for every buyer.

Chenille is produced on an adhesive or fabric basis. The disadvantages of the material include low cost before exposure to moisture, as well as the drying time after cleaning.

Flock is a popular finishing material. It is made with cotton and polyester. Pile is applied to the surface of the base, for which the electrostatic method is used. Flocking is considered a popular procedure that allows you to obtain high-quality material, which is often chosen among decorative items.

Flock has the following advantages:

  • good strength;
  • ease of care;
  • resistance to sunlight, moisture or dirt;
  • has an attractive appearance.

Flock is an environmentally friendly material. It has a high density and holds its shape well. Therefore, when answering the question, what better fabric for upholstery, the choice often falls on flock.

The material does not fade, does not fade under constant exposure to ultraviolet radiation and has good resistance to moisture. May have a special anti-claw effect. Before choosing microfiber for upholstery, it should be borne in mind that no impact on the material is allowed high humidity or temperature.

The main disadvantage is the high cost. For a long service life of such upholstery, a lot of effort will be required for specific maintenance. To do this, you will have to purchase special means for care.

The most popular types of upholstered furniture made of natural or artificial leather. If such upholstery is purchased for rooms where pets live, then there must certainly be anti-claw protection. It is so called because it provides effective protection of the material from the claws of animals.

High-quality artificial leather is similar in parameters to natural material, but has an acceptable cost. Provides truly attractive, luxurious and unusual upholstery.


The use of such material will require significant financial investments. Its advantages include high attractiveness, ease of maintenance, and it also fits perfectly into different styles interior.

The cost of the material is considered high, and also if animals live in the house, then anti-claw protection must be applied, otherwise the upholstery will quickly lose its attractiveness due to the effects of the claws of pets.

The advantages of such material include:

  • high resistance to wear;
  • ecological cleanliness;
  • good elasticity;
  • high strength;
  • ease of care;
  • acceptable cost.

The disadvantages include fading in the sun and shrinkage after washing. Various mechanical influences contribute to the loss of the attractiveness of the fabric.


Arpatek and faux suede

Previously used to form the upholstery of armchairs. It is a kind of artificial leather. Its advantages include UV and abrasion resistance. It is tear resistant. Its cost is considered quite high, but it is due to its positive parameters.

The use of artificial suede for upholstery is considered to be quite popular. The material is pleasant and has an unusual texture. Each furniture with such upholstery, for which artificial suede is used for furniture upholstery, looks exquisite, unique and luxurious.

It is represented by soft fabric with an organic weave of yarn, therefore, an unusual ornament is formed. Tapestry is available in numerous colors and textures.

Vandal-proof fabric is easy to wash, durable, pleasant and practical. Tapestry is a plastic material, so it can be used for various interior items. Its advantages include, first of all, naturalness. The tapestry has an attractive appearance.

The disadvantages include not very good resistance to different loads. It is not allowed to clean the tapestry with wet methods, and it also has a high cost.

  • A sofa in micro velor upholstery fabric is in great demand in any store. The reasons for this are its increased durability, practicality, and a pleasant-to-touch surface. In addition, the price of micro velor is not overpriced, it belongs to the middle price category. It is hypoallergenic, as it does not retain dust, and antistatic, which only adds to its advantages.
  • Flock is the most common type fabrics for upholstery upholstery... It is attractive and durable, easy to clean. Such material is very resistant to mechanical stress, which is very important for pet owners.

But when choosing, which fabric is more practical for upholstery: flock or micro velor, it should be borne in mind that flock also has one drawback - it strongly absorbs various odors. So it's better to use it for upholstering furniture standing in the living room, not in the kitchen.

  • Perfect software appearance option is genuine leather. The drawing can be absolutely anything. And the quality is the same for any leather sofa when it comes to choosing really high quality leather.

Such furniture looks very solid, noble and rich, it is simple and easy to clean, durable. The only drawback of this upholstery is the high price.

  • However, one can find similar option at a lower price, if you choose leatherette or eco-leather, which is popular today. Outwardly, a cheaper sofa will practically not differ from an expensive one, but this will affect the quality.

Attention!

on soft furniture after a while, it will begin to crack and wear out, which will give it an inappropriate look.

  • A good option upholstery under natural fabrics - it's cotton. It is harmless and non-toxic at all, it is breathable and absorbs moisture. Ideal for furniture in a children's room.

A significant drawback of natural cotton is quick wear. But manufacturers often get rid of this "minus" when they cover cotton sofas with special compounds in order to increase the wear life and prevent color loss.

  • It will look very beautiful and elegant jacquard... It is quite dense, practically does not wear out and does not lose color, and is durable. Even more quality option- stretch jacquard.

To all previous positive characteristics you can add such a feature as debris and dust that does not stick to the surface due to special substances that cover the material.

Not everyone can afford upholstery made of jacquard or stretch jacquard because of the high price.

For frameless furniture quite popular jacquard furniture scotchguard with all kinds of prints: Newspaper, Travel, Patchwork and others.

  • A fine blend of artificial and natural fibers is a fabric called chenille, which is very common in upholstery.
    She gives the sofa quite aesthetic appearance, allows you to make the interior of the room more comfortable, thanks to the pleasant fleecy surface. Chenille is very durable and easy to clean, dirty surfaces can be easily cleaned with a regular vacuum cleaner and a damp cloth or sponge.

  • Silk is unusual for upholstered furniture; this option is extremely rare in stores. But when hauling an old sofa in your house or apartment, nothing prevents you from using it.

The silk sofa fits well into the corresponding interior, which most often looks refined, solid and luxurious. The surface of such furniture is very pleasant for the body, strong enough and safe due to its hypoallergenic and antistatic properties.

  • Tapestry has been in use for centuries. No wonder that tapestry furniture is often found in antique shops and apartments with vintage interiors.

Tapestry is strong and durable, colors and patterns are diverse, it is durable. But the surface easily burns out when exposed to direct sunlight, so you should not put such a sofa next to a window.

  • Arpatek is a fabric that was not originally planned for residential use. Manufacturers have recommended using it in the manufacture of car covers, so it is as resistant to abrasion as possible.

Arpatek looks like leather in appearance, has remarkable characteristics - it is not exposed to mechanical stress, does not lose color when exposed to light, moisture resistant and easy to clean.

Most buyers perceive furniture upholstery as decorative element, picking it up to the interior of the living room, forgetting about practicality. "Oh, what pretty roses!" - says the customer and pays the money, not thinking that a week later, these most beautiful roses will become a victim of the claws of a cat or a dog, and a stain from the cherry juice accidentally spilled by children will forever remain on the light upholstery.

The properties of the upholstery material ultimately affect how long a sofa or armchair will last: whether it will be easy to clean, how well the upholstery material resists moisture and dirt, how resistant it is to fading and abrasion - all these questions should be clarified before how to get the wallet.

Types of upholstery fabric

A few technical details: two types of fabrics are used for upholstering furniture - cover and upholstery. The springs and other structural elements of the sofa frame are covered with a covering fabric, the inside of the covers is sewn from it and upholstered inner surfaces sofas and armchairs. Usually it is thick burlap or thick cotton fabric.

Upholstery fabric is what is used for external upholstery, the very beauty and practicality that we will talk about. Let's start in order, with the most popular materials.

1. Jacquard

This is the most common material for upholstery of upholstered furniture. Jacquard fabric is composed of a blend of cotton and synthetic fibers. It is very dense, keeps its shape well. Jacquard fabrics are distinguished by a woven relief pattern, most often floral or ornamental. The jacquard manufacturing technology allows you to create patterns with high detail. Depending on the composition and thickness of the threads, the cost of jacquard also varies.

It is not difficult to care for jacquard upholstery: small dirt is washed off with soapy water, dust is removed with a vacuum cleaner. For strong stains - not too aggressive substances for dry cleaning of upholstered furniture.

2. Scotchguard

This is the same jacquard treated with a special water-repellent compound. The impregnation protects the material not only from moisture, but also from dirt, burnout and even from the claws of pets: the scotchguard belongs to the category of anti-vandal fabrics. It is as dense as jacquard and is perfect for all types of furniture. Scotchguard is especially good for fabric frameless furniture.

3. Thermohackard

Relatively new material, which is an ordinary unpainted jacquard with a pattern applied to it. The image is applied by thermal printing: the ink penetrates deep into the fibers, holds well, does not fade or fade. The rest of the characteristics are the same as for ordinary jacquard: durable, dense and practical material.

4. Tapestry

And this is also jacquard, more precisely, one of its varieties. Tapestry is woven from thicker fibers, most often 100% cotton or with a slight addition of synthetics. The weaving of the threads in the tapestry is especially dense, and almost always the tapestry has a complex pattern that resembles a painting. The fabric holds its shape perfectly, but due to the high content of natural fibers, it may fade slightly over time. The tapestry is good for upholstery of small sofas, couches, chaise longues. A large sofa covered with tapestry can look too clumsy.

5. Matting

Due to the checkerboard weave of threads, the matting is very similar in structure to an ordinary burlap. Basically, the matting is woven from natural materials: linen, cotton, silk, wool, but acrylic or polyester threads are added to the fabric for strength.

The mat is durable, textured and colorful. It is easy to care for: small dirt can be removed with ordinary upholstery cleaning products (but never use bleach). A vacuum cleaner does an excellent job with dust. But the matting is not very friendly with pets: their claws even accidentally cling well to large weaving and pull the threads. By the way, the author of this article has both a mat-covered sofa and a cat at home. And the sofa is still intact.

6. Chenille

A blended fabric composed of cotton and synthetic threads that are woven in a special way: the threads are first twisted and then intertwined longitudinally and transversely. The material is very strong and dense. The peculiarity of chenille is that one of the synthetic threads is "shaggy", and as a result, the fabric gets a short pile. Due to the hairiness, chenille can be put in the same category with the following velor and flock on our list, but chenille is much cheaper than its furry counterparts.

7. Velor

A fleecy fabric, which is obtained by a complex interweaving of several threads - warp and pile. The qualities and properties of velor depend on the density of the weave: velor can be either dense or loose. The material is soft to touch, non-toxic and safe.

As an upholstery for a sofa in a living room, velor is suitable if there are no small children and pets in the house: it is highly susceptible to abrasion and gets dirty easily. But if you still opted for velor upholstery, be prepared for the fact that in 3 - 5 years you will have to change it.

8. Flock

Flock is a fabric with a pile, which is considered one of the varieties of velor. But the technology for making flock is completely different. It is a more synthetic material with a cotton to polyester ratio of 1: 3. On a thin fabric base with an adhesive layer under the action electrostatic field fine nylon fibers are applied. Due to electrostatics, the pile falls on the substrate strictly vertically. The result is a soft, pleasant-to-touch fabric with a perfectly even and thick pile. Flock is durable, waterproof, dirt repellent, easy to clean. It, like Scotch Grass, belongs to the category of “anti-claw” fabrics - the claws of pets cannot damage it.

9. Corduroy

Another fleecy fabric with characteristic scars. Depending on the width of the scar between the pile stripes, micro-corduroy, velveteen with a wide or medium scar are distinguished. Corduroy can be either 100% cotton or with the addition of synthetics (elastane or polyester).

The fabric is capricious, requiring careful care: it cannot be rubbed, wrinkled and squeezed. Dirty stains should be removed only with mild stain removers for natural fabrics. But the capriciousness of corduroy is more than justified by its beauty. The service life of corduroy upholstery is about 5-7 years. Corduroy is very "bald" in places of constant contact.

10. Artificial suede

Faux suede - a mix of polyester and cotton. Often this union is treated with Teflon liquid, which significantly increases strength and wear resistance. Artificial suede has many advantages: it is difficult to distinguish it from real, it is not afraid of scratches and creases, does not fade, does not fade and does not rub off. There is nothing to say about the aesthetic side.

There are also disadvantages: it is not suitable for apartments and houses where small children or animals live, it still requires careful handling. Wet cleaning is contraindicated for artificial suede. Dry, delicate cleaning only.

11. Artificial fur

In structure, artificial fur resembles the natural skin of an animal: it consists of a base (soil) and pile. The pile itself, in turn, is made from nylon, viscose or woolen fibers, and to create a higher quality material, several types of threads with similar characteristics are used.

Faux fur is an affordable, sustainable and easy-care material with big amount various colors. It can also be decorated with patterns, geometric patterns, other fabrics, and even rhinestones. Cons: fragility and rapid contamination of synthetic fibers, which actively attract dust.

12. Genuine leather

Luxury upholstery material. V furniture production for the manufacture of upholstery, pigskin is used, less often goat or horse leather. There are two types of processing of this material: aniline method and semi-aniline (or complex). Aniline skin is soft and looks very beautiful, but at the same time it is very capricious: it is afraid of moisture, dirt and mechanical damage. Complex processed leather is not so attractive, but it is tougher, thicker, stronger and better withstands all influences.

The lifespan of the skin is practically unlimited, and depends only on how well you take care of it. A special plus is that aged skin does not look worse. On the contrary, over time it acquires a special charm.

13. Artificial leather

This is a fabric on which an elastic film has been applied with a texture and pattern "under the skin". As a base, natural or synthetic fabrics, fabrics with an elastic base are used. Artificial leather keeps its shape perfectly, has water-repellent and dirt-repellent properties. It is not very difficult to take care of it: it is washed with soapy water or products that do not contain too aggressive components.

Among the types of artificial leather for upholstery upholstery, arpatek, microfiber and artificial suede are used.

  • Arpatek. Looks presentable, very similar to natural leather. It is a soft and elastic material. It is durable and unpretentious to care for, does not fade and resists mechanical damage well, including the claws of pets
  • Microfiber is a material that resembles natural suede in its characteristics and appearance. Thanks to the dense weave of threads and an additionally applied Teflon layer, microfiber is very durable and belongs to the category of "anti-claw"
  • Faux suede - durable tissue base with polyester bristles. Teflon impregnation gives faux suede durability and stain resistance

How to choose upholstery material: a short checklist

So, before you buy material for upholstery, ask yourself a few questions:

  • Are you ready to sacrifice practicality for the sake of beauty of the upholstery, and make excessive efforts to care for it?
  • Do you have animals at home? If yes - pay attention to the materials of the category "anti-claw": scotchguard, flock, arpatek.
  • Will you sleep on your new couch every day? If yes - give preference to upholstery with a high content of synthetics: it is stronger.
  • Are you buying a sofa or armchairs for the nursery? Remember, it is best for young children to come into contact with natural materials. Choose matting or tapestry.
  • Will you constantly use a sofa or chair as a place to relax? If so, choose upholstery that is easy to maintain.

We hope our article will help you find the "very" upholstery for your sofa, armchair or chair that will appeal to all family members.

When buying upholstered furniture, more and more often people pay attention not to it. functionality, practicality, but on the material from which the upholstery is made. This is a material that is mounted on top of sofas and armchairs. When choosing it, it is necessary to take into account some points - the quality of the fabric, resistance to wear, cost. Very often, it is necessary to decide on the upholstery not only when buying new furniture, but when re-tightening the old one, when its old material has already lost its aesthetic appearance.

Types and categories of fabrics

Today, the assortment of fabrics for finishing a sofa is huge. Manufacturers offer their customers natural and artificial fabrics.

Chenille

The material received this name because of the thread that was included in the fabric. It looks like a furry caterpillar, it is characterized by a soft, rounded surface. The fabric production process is carried out by twisting dense threads with chenille threads. Thus, it is possible to create an inextensible thread, which will set the properties of the future material. Chenilla contains equal amounts of cotton and synthetics.

The fabric is distinguished by its density and strength. The fleece of the pile can be done using a special machine. The cost of the material is 680 rubles per running meter.

Chenille is divided into two types:

  1. Fabric base. The fabric will be resistant to moisture, therefore it is able to withstand wet cleaning. The downside of the fabric is that you can't sleep on it all the time. Because of this, it will wrinkle and lose its shape.
  2. Glued base. This material is afraid of moisture, as it can deform, and after cleaning it dries for a long time.

The advantages of the fabric include:

  • resistance to wear due to the presence of synthetic threads in the composition;
  • ecological properties are close to natural substances;
  • You can remove dust from the chenille packing with a conventional vacuum cleaner.

The material is not devoid of disadvantages, which include:

  • the color scheme does not differ in its variety, but for a moderate style, you can choose several options;
  • the material is afraid of the influence of the claws of pets, as the threads will be pulled out.

Mat

This fabric is characterized by a fine texture. Most often it is monochromatic. Its peculiarity is that the fibers for the matting are made of a thick dense structure, and the weaving of the threads is done roughly. The canvas is characterized by increased elasticity, since it does not wrinkle during the day, perfectly retaining its shape. Caring for the mat is also not difficult, since there is no need to use special solutions.

The advantages of the fabric include high strength properties, wear resistance, ease of maintenance. But the downside is the lack of a wide colors... The cost of the material is 270 per running meter.

Velours

This material is characterized by its velvety and tactile surface. The pile can be arranged vertically along the entire canvas or in some areas laid on one side. Velor based on cotton and wool is used to decorate the sofa. detailed description velor furniture fabric.

The advantages of matter include:

  • ease of care, since it contains high-tech fibers with anti-allergenic and antistatic qualities;
  • for velor is characteristic high threshold erasure, and any dirt can be easily removed, thanks to which the canvas has a long wear life.

The disadvantages of the material include high cost, low resistance to mechanical stress. The cost of velor will be 340 rubles per meter.

Flock

This finishing material is obtained using polyester and cotton. A pile is applied to the surface of the canvas using an electrostatic method. First, a canvas is made from cotton threads, and then it is impregnated with glue. In the photo - flock upholstery fabric:

When she is stretched out in electric field spray the pile. The fabric is dyed by printing. The cost of the fabric is 390 rubles per running meter.

Flock has the following advantages:

  • keeps its shape for a long time;
  • ease of care;
  • excellent light fastness;
  • characterized by water-repellent properties;
  • has a high density;
  • the duration of the paint and the brightness of the shade;
  • environmental friendliness.

Teflon flock

This type of material belongs to modern ones. The fibers of the fabric are equipped with a Teflon protection, so that the fabric for the upholstery can be washed and removed from dirt. The peculiarity of the fabric is that it has excellent resistance to the bones of pets. The material can be purchased at a price of 480 rubles per meter.

Tapestry

This is a natural fabric that differs from others in its correct weaving of yarn with a figure or ornament. In the assortment, the material has a lot of colors and shades. The fabric is washable, durable, tactile and practical. Since the canvas can take any shape, has excellent plasticity, it can be used to decorate absolutely any furniture.

The advantages of tapestry include its aesthetic appearance and naturalness. But the disadvantages: low resistance to frequent loads, fear of wet and frequent cleaning and high cost. The cost of the fabric will be 450 rubles per running meter.

Jacquard

The benefits include wide choose shade, high strength and durability. The disadvantage is the high cost, fear of intensive cleaning, as a result of which it can lose its color tightly. The cost of the fabric is 560 rubles per running meter.

Thermojackard and Scotchguard

These types of material belong to the improved types of jacquard. To obtain a thermohaccard, a thermal dyeing method is used. The ornament is transferred to the base under the influence of high temperature. Thus, it is possible to obtain a stable surface of the fabric. The cost is 550 rubles per running meter.

Scotchguard is a jacquard that is impregnated with a transparent compound on top to protect it from wear and tear. At the same time, the aesthetic appearance of the canvas is completely preserved. It is advisable to use the material for sofas that are exposed to intensive use. The cost is 500 rubles per running meter.

Boucle

This type of material is similar to a sheared lamb. The peculiarity of the canvas is that in its structure it is presented in the form of dense nodules that protrude above the surface. The material is original decorative view... Aesthetic appearance is achieved through the use of threads different shades... Boucle is a very durable material. You can buy fabric at a price of 660 rubles per running meter.

The benefits include original view and a low price. Of the minuses, you can undo:

  • fear of sharp objects, upon contact with which puffs may form;
  • because of its porosity, the matter is easily soiled;
  • it is difficult to remove dirt;
  • stains should not be rubbed, it is worth getting slightly wet, and then treat with soapy water using a soft sponge.

A natural skin

This kind finishing material used for cladding expensive and high-quality furniture. Its advantages include attractive appearance, durability, strength and ease of cleaning. The disadvantages are the high cost. Purchase material at the price of 2000 rubles r.m.

Artificial leather

This fabric is characterized by the presence of one-sided monolithic or porous PVC cover... It is based on cotton and polyester knitted threads. Leatherette in terms of its performance is not inferior to natural leather. It has a high resistance to wear, and it can be used when facing a sofa for domestic or public use.

TO positive qualities the material should be attributed to resistance to stress and dirt, ease of cleaning and not absorbing odors and dirt. Artificial leather has disadvantages - it is a monochromatic surface, fear of sunlight and high temperatures. The cost is 430 rubles per running meter.

Eco leather

This type of material is similar to natural leather and is not inferior to it even in terms of environmental friendliness. To obtain the material, the method of applying porous polyurethane to a cotton base is used. Thus, it is possible to create a fabric that is resistant to wear, has a breathable surface and high environmental qualities. The cost is 670 rubles per running meter.

Arpatek

Previously, this material was used to trim car seats. Arpatek is a type of artificial leather. It is resistant to light, abrasion and has high tensile strength. In the manufacture of the material, cotton, viscose and polyurethane are used. You can buy the material at a price of 4,000 rubles per running meter.

Cotton

This is a natural fabric that breathes and lends itself to dyeing. The disadvantage of cotton is its short service life. To enhance the characteristics of the fabric, manufacturers apply a protective impregnation to its surface. It prevents paint from rubbing off and extends its service life.

Most often, cotton is used when decorating sofas in a children's room. This is due to the fact that the material is environmentally friendly and completely safe for children. And the short service life requires replacing the canvas along with the changing needs of the grown baby. The cost of the fabric is 230 rubles per running meter. the varieties of cotton fabric are described.

Which fabric is better

When choosing a material for finishing a sofa, it is necessary to take into account the room in which the furniture will be installed. If you need to transform the interior in a children's room, then you should choose natural canvases. This includes linen or cotton. The flock option is still quite popular, because then the sofa can be cleaned and washed to remove various contaminants.

If the upholstery is made for furniture installed in the living room, then you need to pay attention to materials with high wear resistance. If the sofa acts as sleeping place, then you can use any material, except leather, since it is uncomfortable to be on it without clothes.

On the video, how much fabric is needed for the upholstery of the sofa:

How to calculate the quantity

calculation measures to determine the amount of fabric for finishing the sofa are not difficult. First, it is recommended to delete old upholstery, take a tape measure and take all measurements. If the sofa parts have irregular shape, then they have to be measured in the longest and widest parts.

Now fold all the vertical dimensions of the sofa elements and add 20% to them. The resulting value is the required length of the fabric in cm.And to determine the width, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the widest part, most often the facing materials have a width of 130-150 cm.

To determine the amount of material for the pillows on the sofa, you need to measure their length and height. Add these values ​​and multiply by 2. Add 5 cm to the calculated value.

Anna

Supervisor HomeMe. Upholstered furniture expert.

Criteria for the selection of upholstery for sofas

If you do not know where to start and how to choose the right upholstery, then we recommend considering the following circumstances:

  • which room is the furniture purchased in;
  • whether cats, dogs or other pets live in the house;
  • there are or are planning small children in the family;
  • whether they will smoke indoors.

The answers to these questions will help you choose a material for that will serve you for a long time and will be affordable.

If you treat the purchase of a sofa more professionally, then you need to pay attention to the following qualities of its upholstery:

  • resistance to abrasion, burnout, pilling - the more cycles, the better;
  • fabric shrinkage and cleaning behavior;
  • fire resistance;
  • density - optimally from 200g / m2;
  • environmental Safety;
  • air tightness - the higher, the less chance of cracking the fabric at the seams.

It is almost impossible to determine these criteria by eye, so you need to ask the seller a question and ask him for documents, which will indicate the established indicators for a particular fabric.

Varieties of facing materials for upholstered furniture

All materials used for the upholstery of sofas are divided into two groups:

  • textile- matting, flock, chenille, velor, velor, jacquard, artificial suede
  • non-woven- natural and artificial leather.

To decide which upholstery to choose for your new sofa, you need to study all the features of each material and understand what suits you best.

Textile upholstery for sofas

Mat

Thick blended fabric with a distinctive textured surface. The cost of a sofa in such upholstery depends entirely on the class of material and its composition. The more synthetic threads were used in the production of fabric, the higher the wear resistance class it has. The advantages of matting are:

  • strength;
  • abrasion resistance even under intense loads;
  • a wide variety of colors;
  • affordable cost;
  • unpretentious care.

The disadvantages of such upholstery are:

  • tendency to fade, so it is better to place the sofa away from direct sunlight;
  • afraid of high temperatures, therefore, drying after wet cleaning should be carried out only in a natural way;
  • The convex texture of the fabric attracts pets, who pull the threads out of it with their teeth and claws.

Chenille

The material is created by weaving threads and pile of artificial and natural origin. Of the advantages, they note:

  • pleasant soft surface reminiscent of corduroy;
  • hypoallergenic;
  • strength and durability;
  • resistance to fading, odor absorption, deformation;
  • practicality and the ability to remove difficult stains at home.

The disadvantages include the high cost of sofa models in chenille, as well as the ability of this fabric to absorb moisture. Cat owners need to be prepared for the fact that on such upholstery, the traces of the animal's claws are very noticeable.

Velours

The composition of this textile contains cotton, viscose, polyester. This mixture of natural and synthetic yarns gives the upholstery the following positive qualities:

  • visual appeal;
  • tactilely pleasant surface;
  • breathability;
  • good deformation resistance.

Velor upholstery attracts with its appearance, but if you are looking for the most practical and durable furniture, you should consider more durable fabrics. The fact is that this material is very capricious to care for, stains are difficult to remove from it and the pile wears out quite quickly. That is why for families with small children velor sofas- not the best option.

Flock

A feature of the flock is a wide variety decorative effects... It can imitate suede, woven materials - chenille, velor. The price of upholstered furniture in this design also depends on the appearance and production technology. Flock sofas are presented in both the budget and premium segment.

To create a flock, a cotton and polyester base and nylon pile are used, which is glued to it. The result is a material with the following advantages:

  • strength;
  • moisture resistance;
  • ease of care - stains can be easily removed with soap and water;
  • antistatic;
  • anti-vandal properties;
  • rich selection of colors and patterns;
  • pleasant to the touch surface.

It is almost impossible to leave scratches and puffs on the flock, therefore such sofas are recommended for people with pets. Furniture in this finish can be used in any residential area. You should refuse a sofa with flock upholstery if you plan to install it in a kitchen or in a room where people smoke a lot. This material absorbs odors with ease. Also, the disadvantages include a predisposition to abrasion, therefore, for transforming and frequently used sofas, you should look for another cladding option.

Jacquard

It contains synthetic and natural threads in equal proportions. It feels and looks like artificial silk. The advantages are:

  • a large selection of colors and prints;
  • high strength and wear resistance;
  • durability;
  • absolute resistance to fading.

The disadvantages include unsuitability as an anti-vandal coating, difficulty in care. Puffs are easy on the fabric and does not tolerate wet cleaning. In addition, not many people like the smoothness of jacquard.

Tapestry

The material is mostly cotton, to which a small percentage of synthetic threads can be added. The wear resistance of the upholstery depends on the ratio of the components: the more natural raw materials are in the composition, the worse it tolerates loads.

The advantages of tapestry are:

  • a wide variety of colors and prints that feature rich and luxurious designs;
  • environmental friendliness and hypoallergenicity;
  • moisture resistance.

The main disadvantage is the low degree of wear resistance and susceptibility to rapid abrasion. Puffs from the claws of animals on such fabric also remain without difficulty.

Faux suede

In many respects, the material is no different from its natural counterpart: it also has a pleasant-to-touch surface, a wide variety of colors and shades. But the quality characteristics of such upholstery are one level higher, since it differs:

  • high strength;
  • wear resistance;
  • abrasion resistance;
  • affordable price.

The main thing when buying an artificial suede sofa is the choice of quality material. Otherwise, the upholstery will quickly deform and lose its presentation. Such upholstered furniture requires rather careful maintenance, which excludes the use of aggressive detergents and formulations based on petroleum products.

Nonwovens for sofa upholstery

Leather

Leather for facing the frame of sofas is often used, since the material has many advantages:

  • long service life with careful operation;
  • environmental Safety;
  • moisture resistance;
  • easy care.

Leather upholstered furniture is an indicator of prestige and success, since the price for it is high. But they refuse to purchase such a sofa, not only because of the high cost, many are confused by the ability of the skin to stick to the human body or to seem too cold. Leather furniture easy to burn, for example, with a cigarette, and scratch with the sharp claws of pets.

Leatherette

Artificial leather - available analog natural material... It has a number of advantages:

  • cheapness;
  • pleasant texture (not cold, like natural leather);
  • moisture resistance;
  • resistance to odor absorption;
  • abrasion resistance.

Of the minuses, there is a tendency to stick to the human body, easily ignite and crack over time.

Conclusion

If you do not delve into the nature of each material and choose upholstery based on practical use then we recommend:

  1. For guest areas purchase upholstered furniture in beautiful upholstery that will highlight your taste and status. For this purpose, genuine leather, tapestry, jacquard are suitable;
  2. For the kitchen, choose a sofa made of artificial or natural leather, as it is easy to clean and does not absorb odors;
  3. Choose children's upholstered furniture from practical, stain-resistant, preferably impregnated with special protective compounds materials - flock, artificial leather, chenille;
  4. For pet owners, take a closer look at the most scratch and draw-resistant material - high-end flock;
  5. People who smoke indoors should choose upholstery resistant to absorption of aromas - natural or artificial leather, chenille.

In this case, the sofa long time will delight you with its quality and appearance.