Sunbrella Fabric Terminology and What It All Means
Sunbrella Fabric Specs, Explained Simply: What They Mean (and Why You Should Care)
When you’re shopping for outdoor cushions, pillows, or upholstery, you’ll often see a block of “technical specifications” that looks a little… engineer-y. The good news is: you don’t need to be a fabric nerd to understand what matters.
Below is a plain-English guide to the most common Sunbrella upholstery specs—what each one means, how it affects real-life performance, and what to look for when you’re comparing fabrics for your patio (or even indoor spaces).
Application: Where the fabric is meant to be used
Listed as: Cushions, Indoor Upholstery, Marine Upholstery, Outdoor Upholstery, Pillows
This is basically Sunbrella saying: this fabric is designed to handle these environments.
Outdoor upholstery / cushions / pillows means it’s built for sun exposure, moisture, and everyday mess.
Marine upholstery is a big “green flag” because it implies the fabric can handle tougher conditions like humidity, salt air, and higher moisture.
Indoor upholstery matters because many people use the same fabric for indoor/outdoor rooms, screened porches, or kitchens where cleanability matters.
Why it matters: If your fabric is rated for outdoor and marine use, you’re typically getting a higher level of durability and weather resistance than a fabric meant only for indoor decor.
Abrasion (Wyzenbeek): How tough the fabric is against rubbing
Listed as: 45,000 (Wyzenbeek)
Abrasion is a durability test—basically, how well a fabric holds up to repeated rubbing over time (think: people sitting, sliding, shifting, pets hopping up, kids flopping down).
Wyzenbeek is one common test method.
The number indicates how many “double rubs” the fabric withstands before showing notable wear.
Simple translation: Higher number = generally tougher fabric.
Why it matters: If you’re upholstering seating that gets daily use—especially in a family room, a frequently used patio set, or around a pool—abrasion resistance helps your cushions stay looking newer longer.
Fabric Content: What it’s made from
Listed as: 100% Sunbrella® Acrylic
Sunbrella’s “secret sauce” is solution-dyed acrylic (in plain terms: color is built into the fiber instead of printed or dyed just on the surface).
Why it matters (in real life):
Better fade resistance in sun
Stronger long-term color stability
Fabric that stays vibrant even after lots of outdoor exposure
Novice tip: When your biggest concern is fading, fiber type matters—this is one reason Sunbrella is considered an industry standard.
Construction: How the fabric is built
Listed as: Woven
“Woven” means the fabric is created by interlacing yarns (like a basket weave, but with many styles and textures). It’s not printed film or a surface coating—it’s structurally built.
Why it matters:
Woven fabrics tend to be stable and durable
They usually hold up better to stretching and long-term use
They can have richer texture and a more “upscale” look
Finish: What’s applied to the fabric surface
Listed as: Water & Stain Repellent
A finish is an added treatment that helps spills bead up and makes messes easier to clean.
Why it matters:
Helps keep cushions from absorbing spills immediately
Gives you more time to blot a spill before it becomes a stain
Helps with everyday “life stuff” like sunscreen, food splatter, drink drips
Important nuance: Water & stain repellent doesn’t mean waterproof. It means resistant—like a rain jacket vs. a scuba suit.
Weather Protection: What it does against moisture
Listed as: Water Repellent
This is the practical, outdoor-facing version of the finish category: it’s designed to resist moisture and help the fabric dry faster.
Why it matters:
Less water soaking in = less mildew risk
Cushions are easier to maintain
Better performance in humid climates and rainy seasons
Width: How wide the fabric comes off the roll
Listed as: 54 in. (137.16 cm)
Fabric width is mainly a manufacturing and value detail.
Why it matters:
Wider fabric can reduce seams on certain cushions
It can reduce waste (depending on the cushion size)
It affects pattern placement and how cushions are cut
Novice tip: Width doesn’t mean “better” on its own—but it affects how efficiently cushions can be made.
Fabric Weight: How heavy/thick the fabric is
Listed as: Weight Oz. Ly. Yd. / Weight Oz. Sq. Yd.
You’ll see weight expressed in different ways depending on the brand. Weight is a rough indicator of how substantial a fabric feels.
Why it matters:
Heavier isn’t automatically better, but it often feels more “upholstery grade”
Some lighter fabrics feel softer and more drapey; heavier ones can feel more structured
Weight can affect durability, comfort feel, and how the fabric sews
Novice tip: Think of weight like denim vs. chambray—both can be great, but they behave differently.
Roll Size: How much fabric is on a roll
Listed as: 60 yards
This is mostly a production detail, not a quality marker.
Why it matters (behind the scenes):
Impacts manufacturing efficiency and inventory
Helps large projects stay consistent (same dye lots / same run)
For customers, roll size usually isn’t the deciding factor—unless you’re doing a large commercial job and want consistent fabric across many pieces.
Repeat: What a “repeat” is, and why it matters
Listed as: 7.88 in. (pattern repeat size)
A repeat applies to patterned fabrics. It means the design repeats every X inches.
Why it matters:
Patterns need to be aligned so they look intentional (not random or mismatched)
A larger repeat can require more fabric to make cushions look balanced
Pattern matching can affect both cost and cutting layout
Simple example: If your fabric has stripes or a big floral, you don’t want one cushion showing half a flower and another showing the flower chopped off awkwardly. Repeat tells the workroom how to plan that.
Selvedge: The fabric edge
Listed as: Left / Right
The selvedge is the finished edge of fabric that prevents fraying. “Left/Right” often refers to the orientation of the fabric design and how it runs along the roll.
Why it matters:
Helps ensure patterns are oriented consistently
Affects cutting direction (especially for stripes, geometrics, or directional designs)
Recyclable: What happens at end-of-life
Listed as: Yes, through the Recycle My Sunbrella program
This means the fabric can be recycled through Sunbrella’s program rather than always going to the trash.
Why it matters:
It supports a more circular approach to materials
It’s a sustainability win for customers who care where products end up after years of use
Collection: What “Sunbrella Upholstery” signals
Listed as: Sunbrella Upholstery
Sunbrella has different lines. “Upholstery” generally signals this fabric is intended for seating and cushions—where comfort and durability are both important.
Why it matters: Upholstery fabrics are built for contact, friction, and daily living—more than a fabric meant for awnings or umbrellas.
CA Prop 65: California chemical disclosure
Listed as: No CA Prop 65 label is required
This means the product doesn’t require a Prop 65 warning label under California’s labeling rules.
Why it matters: Many customers want products with fewer “chemical concern” flags. This is one data point that can help reassure shoppers who are sensitive to chemical exposure concerns in the home.
Certifications, Explained in Human Language
Certifications aren’t just “logos.” They’re shortcuts that help you understand what a fabric has been tested for or how a facility operates.
GREENGUARD Gold: Low chemical emissions
Sunbrella upholstery fabrics being GREENGUARD Gold certified means the fabric is tested for low chemical emissions—helping support healthier indoor air quality.
Why it matters:
Great for indoor cushions, screened rooms, and indoor/outdoor spaces
Helpful for people who are scent-sensitive or want lower-emission materials
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100: Tested for harmful substances
This certification indicates the fabric has been tested by an independent lab to verify it does not contain certain harmful substances under that standard.
Why it matters:
Gives customers added peace of mind about what’s in the textile
Especially relevant if kids, pets, or lots of skin contact is involved
ISO 14001: Environmental management standard
ISO 14001 is about how a manufacturing facility manages environmental impact—systems, processes, and continuous improvement—not just a one-time claim.
Why it matters:
Signals a structured commitment to reducing environmental footprint
Adds credibility to sustainability claims (it’s process-driven)
WAIT Program: Wildlife and Industry Together
Sunbrella’s facility participation in the WAIT program reflects local conservation efforts—habitat, cleanup, tree planting, restoration, and community involvement.
Why it matters:
It’s a meaningful “local environment” commitment
Shows stewardship beyond the factory walls
The big takeaway: specs help you buy smarter
When you read specs like abrasion, content, finish, and certifications, you’re not reading fluff—you’re reading clues about:
How long the fabric will look good
How easy it will be to clean
How it performs in sun and moisture
How it fits into healthier-home and sustainability goals
If you want, paste the next fabric spec block you have (Revolution, Outdura, Tempotest, etc.) and I’ll write matching “novice-friendly” copy so your FAQ hub becomes a true fabric authority.
And yes—next we can absolutely turn these into an AI-authority table (spec → what it means → why it matters → buyer tip).