WeatherMax and Sunbrella are the most hailed performance fabric brands on the market. Though both offer superb performance, their differences come from the material, product and design variety, and intended use.
Performance fabrics are important as we rely on them to protect ourselves and different stuff from sunlight and water. However, not every performance fabric offers the same protection level, so you must make the right decision.
The comparison between WeatherMax and Sunbrella should give you a clear idea about which will be a better choice.
A Quick Comparison Table
| Specifications | WeatherMax | Sunbrella |
| Material | SaturaMax yarn | Solution-dyed acrylic |
| Product Variety | Less variety | More Variety |
| Application | Marine, Shade, Specialty, Outdoor furniture, Military, Aerospace | Marine, Shade, Upholstery |
| Design | Decent design | Better design |
| Extra Features | More features | Fewer features |
| Color options | Fewer options | More options |
| Cost | Cheaper | More expensive |
| Warranty | 3 to 10 years | 10 years |
Key Differences Between WeatherMax And Sunbrella
- Material
Material is an important consideration since a lot of the features of these fabrics will be decided by it. Though both Weather Max and Sunbrella are two completely different materials, both of them offer top-notch protection.
First, let’s talk about the WeatherMax material. It’s made out of a special yarn which is later dyed with a solid pigment solution. WeatherMax has named this material SaturaMax.
That dye with pigment solution allows WeatherMax to survive through demanding weather.
On the other hand, Sunbrella performance fabrics are made of solution-dyed acrylic. Saturation with colors and UV-stabilized components, Sunbrella offers superb protection against the sun and maintains its color over time.
Also Read: Differences Between 600 Denier And 1200 Denier Boat Cover.
- Product Variety
After the material, let’s talk about the product variety. In this segment, Sunbrella holds a clear lead in front of WeatherMax. WeatherMax always bellied in quality over quantity, which reflects in their product lineup.
On the other hand, Sunbrella has a wide variety of products you can choose from to decorate and protect. While WeatherMax’s approach is not wrong, Sunbrella definitely has the upper hand to attract more customers and suffice every need with more options for residential and commercial use.
- Application
Applying performance fabrics from both brands will be a major deciding factor for potential customers.
On the application front, WeathermAx has a clear upper hand over Sunbrella.
To be specific, there are six industries where you can use WeatherMax fabrics.
Those fields are marine shade specialty, outdoor furniture, military, and aerospace.
So if you are looking for a single-performance fabric brand for all your needs, WeatherMax can be a perfect choice.
On the other hand, Sunbrella is more focused on residential use as they offer only products for marine, upholstery, and shades.
- Design
The main purpose of performance fabrics is to provide protection. However, the design is equally important to some users as it can reflect your taste everywhere you use the materials. In the design department, Sunbrella again has the lead.
Looking at WeatherMax fabrics, we’ll notice that only a handful of design choices are available. So if you are planning to get a matching shade or upholstery, it might get tricky.
On the other hand, Sunbrella has a wide range of fabrics available with different patterns and textures.
- Extra features
Performance fabrics are full of various features that make them more useful and long-lasting. In that department, WeatherMax and Sunbrella offer great features that make it difficult to choose.
If we look at WeathermAx fabrics as alternatives To Sunbrella fabrics., they are lighter, prevent color bleeding, fade resistant, abrasion resistant, and water resistant. Overall, these features help WeatherMax to stay on top of its game.
On the other hand, Sunbrella offers excellent UV resistance, sewing thread, a longer lifespan, and eco-friendly manufacturing.
- Color options
Just as the design variety and wide range of colors can help you plan your fabric usage according to the color of the stuff you want to protect. In the color department, Sunbrella offers far more options compared to WeatherMax.
While Sunbrella has dozens of colors, WeatherMax has only a few color options. However, this variety is very handy as there is always a perfect color to match different stuff.
- Cost
Performance fabrics don’t come cheap. So, when there is an opportunity to save money, people will be attracted to that particular brand. Regarding the cost, WeatherMax is a little cheaper compared to Sunbrella.
However, as both brands offer almost the same performance, the cost can be a major differentiating factor.
- Warranty
Warranty is a clear indicator of the confidence of brands about the quality of the fabrics. In this segment, both brands offer similar benefits to their customers.
While WeatherMax has a warranty of three to ten years, depending on the materials, Sunbrella offers a flat ten years warranty on any of their products for heavy use.
Which Is Better For You?
As you can see, both WeatherMax and Sunbrella came toe to toe to become the best performance fabric brand. However, each has its strengths and weakness, and those will decide which better fit is for you.
If you are after an affordable option with performance, then WeatherMax is the perfect call for you. But if you spend some extra bucks and want better longevity and designs, you should go after Sunbrella.
Now, watch this video to understand why WeatherMax can be your choice.
Also Read: Differences Between Clam C 890 And X600 Thermal Shelter Hubs.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Breathability is super important for performance fabrics, and WeatherMax is particularly famous for this aspect. Breathable fabrics mean it has better precipitation, in other words, better airflow. So, WeatherMax fabrics can minimize heat and keep you cool in hot weather.
Sunbrella marine grade is the fabrics from, Sunbrella manufactured specifically to use with water vehicles like boats, speedboats, etc. The Sunbrella fabrics are very popular among boaters for various qualities, including easy cleaning, breathability, UV resistance, and mold resistance. There are several color options too for this fabric that don’t fade.
Over-exposure to harmful UV rays can cause several problems, like vision and skin diseases. Sunbrella has taken this issue very seriously and made their fabrics UV-protected. There is even a seal of approval from the Skin Cancer Foundation to ensure safety for outdoor use.
Yes, Sunbrella fabrics are breathable, but not all of them. Unlike other performance fabrics, Sunbrella doesn’t use any chemical coating to make it waterproof. As a result, air and moisture can easily escape through Sunbrella fabrics allowing them to breathe.
Final Thought
That’s a wrap for today. I hope my article on WeatherMax and Sunbrella was helpful enough to give your idea about two of the best performance fabrics brand on the market today. As you have seen, both brands have their fair share of options for commercial and residential use.
Choosing the right fabric is important as the barrier from different elements. Now that you know the differences between these two brands, your decision should be easier.
