Garden cushions, lounge sets and boat cushions have a lot to put up with: rain, sun and daily use. With the right outdoor fabrics they stay looking good for longer. In this article you will read which fabric for outdoor cushions and which fabric for boat cushions to choose, and how to weigh up faux leather against woven outdoor fabric. All the fabrics can be found in our outdoor upholstery fabrics collection, available by the metre.
What should you look for in outdoor fabric?
A good outdoor fabric is water-repellent, UV-resistant and quick-drying, so the colour does not fade and mould does not form. At BLADI you choose between two types: outdoor faux leather (Skai AMALFI, Primera, Montana and RIF) and SUNLIGHT, a woven outdoor fabric made of 100% olefin. Faux leather is the easiest to clean; woven olefin feels softer and is more breathable.
SUNLIGHT: woven outdoor fabric with a soft look
SUNLIGHT has been developed for long-term outdoor use. The fabric is made of 100% olefin, is 160 cm wide, weighs 230 g/m² and achieves 40,000 to 50,000 Martindale rubs. It is water-repellent with an Easy Clean finish, has excellent UV resistance and high colourfastness, and is mould-resistant and quick-drying. Pilling resistance is 4-5 and rub fastness 5. You can choose from 16 colours, from white and cream to sea blue, burgundy and anthracite.
SUNLIGHT is suitable for garden furniture, lounge sets, boat cushions, caravans and hospitality terraces. Thanks to the 160 cm roll width, you can cut larger lounge cushions from a single width of fabric. Water droplets stay on the surface and are easy to wipe off; after a shower, leave the cushions to dry standing upright.
Outdoor faux leather for intensive use
Skai AMALFI: heavy duty for boat, campervan and patio
Faux leather Skai AMALFI is a heavy-duty PVC faux leather, specially developed for intensive use in furniture upholstery, vehicles and marine applications, among others. It is water-repellent and easy to clean, resistant to moisture, stains and UV light, free from harmful phthalates and flame-retardant according to various international standards. AMALFI weighs approx. 650 g/m², is 1.1 mm thick and 140 cm wide, with a lightfastness of +6. You can choose from more than 40 colours.
Skai Primera and Montana: scratch-resistant faux leather
Skai Primera has a renewed scratch-resistant top layer and a coarse texture, with a Martindale score of 300,000. It is 140 cm wide, weighs 520 g/m² and has a lightfastness of 4-5. Its applications include outdoor use and car, caravan and boat interiors. Skai Montana is also a scratch-resistant faux leather for heavily used seating, 140 cm wide, with a smooth texture, in eight colours from white and cream to dark grey and black.
Skai RIF: vandal-resistant for hospitality terraces
Faux leather Skai RIF is supple, wear- and scratch-resistant and vandal-resistant, with a Martindale score of more than 150,000 rubs and a thickness of 0.9 to 1.0 mm. This makes RIF suitable for hospitality terraces and places where it takes a lot of punishment.
Faux leather or SUNLIGHT?
If the cushions stay outside or often get wet, choose faux leather. Faux leather is easy to clean with a damp cloth. If you want a soft, textile look for lounge cushions, choose SUNLIGHT. You will find more advice on our fabric for outdoor cushions page.
Fabric for boat cushions: choosing and measuring
For seat cushions and boat upholstery that get wet, faux leather is the easiest to maintain; AMALFI was developed for marine applications, among others. For cockpit cushions with a textile look, choose SUNLIGHT. Measure each cushion: length, width and depth. For each cushion, add up the top and bottom panels and the side strip, and allow a seam allowance of about 1.5 cm all round. Read more on our fabrics for boat cushions page and in our article on faux leather for boat upholstery.
Frequently asked questions about outdoor fabrics
Which fabric is best for outdoor cushions?
For cushions that stay outside or often get wet, outdoor faux leather such as AMALFI is the practical choice. For a soft, textile look, choose SUNLIGHT in 100% olefin, which is water-repellent, UV-resistant and quick-drying.
Is SUNLIGHT suitable for boat cushions?
Yes. SUNLIGHT is suitable for garden furniture, lounge sets, boat cushions, caravans and hospitality terraces, and is mould-resistant and quick-drying.
How do I care for outdoor fabric?
Thanks to SUNLIGHT's Easy Clean treatment, most stains are easy to clean. Faux leather such as AMALFI is water-repellent and can be cleaned with a damp cloth.
How much fabric do I need for my cushions?
Measure each cushion and add up the top and bottom panels, the side strip and a seam allowance of about 1.5 cm all round. Send us your measurements via WhatsApp and we will gladly work it out for you.
Not sure which fabric suits your garden set or boat? Send a photo via WhatsApp, order online from Bladi or visit our showroom at Boomsesteenweg 947C, 2610 Wilrijk (Antwerp).
