Treasure Garden Products - Umbrellas and Patio Furnishings

Umbrella Fabrics Guide

With spring right around the corner, this is the perfect time to start thinking about adding some shade to keep you comfortable while enjoying the outdoors. You have probably started to do some research and have discovered there are so many different options and price points and have no idea why. It comes down to two things, the quality of the frame and the quality of the fabric. Not all fabrics are the same and it will be important to know the difference if you are looking to get longevity out of your patio umbrella investment.

To get the all the rich and variety of colors to choose from, the fabric is either produced using a solution dye process or a yarn dye process. The best way to describe the difference is using a carrot and a cucumber example.

The carrot is an example of solution dyed fiber. You will notice the carrot is orange all the way throughout both on the outside and on the inside. A solution dyed fiber means the manufacturer added the color when the raw material was in its liquid form to infuse the fiber with color pigments to its core. The cucumber is an example of yarn dye process. You will notice the cucumber is dark green on the outside, but on the inside, it is white/lighter green. A yarn dyed fiber means the color pigments were added when it was in yarn form, meaning the color pigments penetrate just the surface of the fibers and not to its core like a solution dyed fiber. So which is better? A fabric that is 100% solution dyed will be a much better quality because it will not fade as easily because the color of the fabric is all the way to its core.

Solution Dyed Fiber

Yarn Dyed Fiber

Now that you see how the fabric is made let’s dive a little deeper into each type of fabric and explain the different qualities of each. Each raw material will have certain characteristics that sets them apart from others and will help you better understand why one type of fabric is more expensive than the others. If you were to compare the longevity of a fabric and how it relates to cost, it would look like the chart on the right.

The three important attributes to compare when deciding between fabrics made of the same raw material are the UV rating, Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), and Warranty.

UV Rating

The three important attributes to compare when deciding between fabrics made of the same raw material are the UV rating, Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), and Warranty.

Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF)

Indicates how much UV radiation (both UVB and UVA) a fabric allows to reach your skin. For example, a UPF 50 fabric blocks 98 percent of the sun's rays. The highest rating a fabric can achieve is 50.

Warranty

How long a manufacturer will warranty their products against fading and tears.

Acrylic

100% solution-dyed Acrylic is a perfect choice for all outdoor application because of its outstanding fade resistant performance. Its ultraviolet blocking agents protect the fabrics from fast aging caused by the effect of UV radiation, so it is well recognized to be very durable under various weather conditions.

UV rating of 50+
Fade resistant
Mold and mildew resistant
Highly dirt and water repellant
Easy to clean (bleachable)
Abrasion resistant

Check out the 100% solution dyed acrylic fabrics that our patio umbrella brands carry.

Fabric

UV Hours

UPF

Warranty

1750+

50+

10yr

1500+

50+

10yr

1500+

50+

10yr

?

?

1yr

"Solution Dyed Acrylic"

?

?

1yr

Polyester

This material has a similar performance to Acrylics, but at a much more affordable price. Polyester fabric is naturally hydrophobic, meaning it dries faster than other materials. Ideal in rainy environments, polyester is durable, strong, and chemical-resistant.

Check out the polyester fabrics our patio umbrella brands carry.

Fabric

UV Hours

UPF

Warranty

800-1000

50+

4yr

1000+

40+

4yr

800+

40+

4yr

"Piece Dyed Polyester"

?

?

1yr

Polypropylene (Olefin)

Olefin has many of the same benefits as acrylic. It’s fade resistant, fast drying, easy to clean and stain resistant. While, olefin isn’t as soft as acrylic fabrics, it is generally the least expensive polymer in the market.

Check out the Olefin fabrics our patio umbrella brands carry.

Fabric

UV Hours

UPF

Warranty

500+

40+

2yr

500+

40+

2yr

"Polypropylene" Thatch Umbrellas

?

?

1yr

You are now ready to finalize your umbrella fabric choice! The information in this article may be a bit overwhelming but just remember the good, better, best rule for fabric. Olefin is “good” and will have the best price point- this is a good choice for someone looking to get 1- 2 seasons out of their umbrella. Polyester is going to be “better” and will have a mid-range price point- this is perfect for those looking to get 3-4 seasons out of their umbrella. Acrylic is going to be the “best” and will come with the highest price point but will also give the best UV protection and the highest rating amongst fading- this is for someone who is looking to get 5+ year out of their umbrella investment.

If you are still unsure which one is right for you, give our Patio Specialist a call at (855) 298 - 4922 and we would be happy to help you figure out which umbrella fabric is right for you.