Need help deciding which fabric to use?
You’re not alone!
Longevity, without the sacrifice of eye-catching patterns and smooth, subtle texture, is essential when choosing upholstery. Sunbrella has been the talk of the town and is hailed as the best fabric for outdoor furniture as well as for other different purposes.
Let’s find out why! DuraSeason constitutes recycled polyester, while Sunbrella is entirely solution-dyed acrylic. Sunbrella is pricier than DuraSeason too.
Ready? Let’s go!
A Quick Comparison Table
| Specifications | DuraSeason | Sunbrella |
| Elements Used | Recycled polyester | Solution-dyed acrylic |
| Lightfast Hours | Less than 1,500 | 2,200 |
| Warranty Term | Limited one-year | Limited five years- decorative and speciality materials Limited ten years- for shade and marine |
| Cushion Design | Woven plaid | Slipcover |
| Durability | Moderate | Excellent |
| Customization Options | Less | More |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Key Differences Between DuraSeason And Sunbrella Fabrics
- Elements Used
The best fabric should have high-quality elements to ensure the furniture serves its purpose effectively.
DuraSeason is made of 100% recycled polyester material that provides high fading and water resistance is achieved.
Moreover, the polyester constituent ensures the fabric is easy to clean.
Therefore, with DuraSeason, you can change your cushions as much as possible because the washing process is not much hassle.
On the other side, Sunbrella has a 100% solution-dyed acrylic component that ensures the colours look vibrant for years to come.
Also, it creates exceptional water resistance, fades, and moulds. Although acrylic is pricier than polyester, the benefits you enjoy far outweigh the price you have to pay.
Also Read: Differences Between Sunbrella And WeatherMax Fabrics.
- Lightfast Hours
Do you plan on pimping your backyard some more by getting a sofa?
Then you need one that has excellent resistance to fading since it will be exposed to sunlight. You want your seat to maintain that bold glowy shade year after year. So, what next?
The fabric must have more lightfast hours, which can sit under sunlight and not fade. Sunbrella can do precisely that with minimal effort. The material has been tested and exposed to 2,200 hours of intense ultraviolet rays.
In contrast, DuraSeason meets less than 1,500 lightfast hours. Therefore, it might not be the best option for your garden seat.
- Warranty Term
You’ll never hear a brand putting down its product. Companies say nice things about what they offer, but taking their word can be difficult.
And that’s why you need to be well-armed with a warranty if the item doesn’t turn out as well as expected.
DuraSeason offers a limited one-year warranty, in which you must provide proof of purchase using a receipt.
In contrast, Sunbrella fabric provides a five-year limited coverage for decorative and speciality fabrics.
On top of that, the brand guarantees you a 10-year warranty for shade and marine materials.
There is no discussion if you are a sucker for extended warranty periods; Sunbrella is perfection!
- Cushion Design
DuraSeason fabric provides a woven plaid deep seat cushion that is soft to the touch, lightweight, anti-static, and remarkably breathable. The probability of shrinkage is dependent on how tight the fabric is.
Moreover, the cushion is versatile and has excellent structure and shape.
Contrarily, cushions in Sunbrella have a slip-off covering layer that can undergo the laundry cycle to remove all dirt particles. Why worry about the spills that are bound to happen when you can remove, wash, and dry?
- Durability
Regarding durability, Sunbrella wins by a mile. First, the fabric comprises all-weather components that can withstand mould and mildews. It can be left out even under light rain shows, and no damage will occur.
Better yet, this fabric is made from a unique Tenara Sewing thread made entirely from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene three times stronger than the usual PTFE. Sunbrella can last you up to ten years.
Oppositely, DuraSeason has a maximum lifespan of five years. They have a lower resistance to UV rays, moulds, and moisture.
- Customization Options
DuraSeason fabric has fewer patterns and designs that you can choose from. But the ones available are uniquely and beautifully designed to fit your needs.
Contradictorily, Sunbrella has over 248 designs that you can pick. Can you run out of choices? I don’t think so! With this fabric, there is always a perfect colour and pattern for every space imaginable.
- Cost
Are you looking for a budget-friendly fabric?
DuraSeason can help! You can get cushions for your sofas and dining chairs for just about $10. On the contrary, Sunbrella is more expensive.
I know nobody wants to be convinced to buy an expensive fabric for no added benefits. Rest assured, Sunbrella is all worth it! Quality, durability, and convenience; everything check!
Which Fabric Is A Better For You?
As you’ve seen from this write-up, both fabrics are fantastic choices. It’s only a matter of picking one based on your preference.
DuraSeason is a lot more budget-friendly. Better yet, it is soft and easy to clean. Sunbrella offers excellent durability, more customization options, and outstanding warranty coverage.
Also Read: Sunbrella Fabric Competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The fabric that is most comparable to Sunbrella is 0utdura. Like Sunbrella, Outdura provides acrylics that are solution dyed at a fair price. Additionally, their material has a similar composition.
Bella Dura material has exceptionally high resistance to fading. Also, it has intrinsic features that prevent bacteria growth, making it an ideal fabric for indoor and outdoor furniture. What’s more, It meets the standard 1500 lightfast hours that are exceeded only by Sunbrella, which has 2,200 hours.
The convenient fabric to use is acrylic, olefin, and sealed polyester to get maximum longevity for your exterior furniture. This is due to their high resistance to moisture and wear and tear compared to natural fibres.
Yes! Sunbrella has excellent resistance to fade, moisture, and moulds/mildews. And that’s not all. The fabric is perfectly engineered using a solution-dyed acrylic that increases the lifespan and ensures the colour is retained even after sunlight exposure.
Final Thoughts
The differentiation between DuraSeason fabric and Sunbrella has come to a halt. Without a doubt, Sunbrella has more points due to its long list of magnificent features.
However, it all comes down to the attributes that carry more weight to you.
Pick DuraSeason for affordability and easy cleaning. Nonetheless, Sunbrella is an exquisite fabric if you are after a longer lifespan, increased customization, and better warranty coverage.
Cheers!
