Patio Heat and Shade

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.

First things first, let’s talk about how umbrella fabrics are made. The most common raw materials that umbrella fabrics are made from are Acrylic, Polyester and Polypropylene (aka Olefin). Manufacturers will take the raw material and melt that into a liquid form. Once it is in a liquid form, they process the material through a spinneret. A spinneret is what is used to extrude these polymers through a small hole to create solid fiber. The fibers are then spun to create the yarn that manufacturers use to weave into a finished product.

graph showing synthetic fabric process from raw material to fabric

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.

graph of fabric longevity relative to price

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 length of time a fabric can remain exposed during peak sunlight hours before losing its color to natural UV degradation. The higher the number the more exposure a fabric can withstand.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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Follow PatioHeatandShade on Social Media

TAX MATCH SAVINGS EVENT

Get savings equal to your estimated sales tax with coupon ZEROTAX at checkout. Offer Ends 7/31

Umbrella Fabrics Guide

Acrylic

Polyester

Polypropylene (Olefin)

Related Videos

ALL VIDEOS

A Beginner's Guide to Choosing the Perfect Patio Umbrella

What Size Patio Umbrella Do I Need?

The Benefits of Investing in a Quality Outdoor Umbrella

Six Tips for Choosing the Perfect Patio Umbrella

Ideas & Inspiration

Heating

Shading

Cooling

Outdoor Living

Commercial Applications

Follow PatioHeatandShade on Social Media

Umbrella Fabrics Guide

Acrylic

Polyester

Polypropylene (Olefin)

Ideas & Inspiration

Heating

Shading

Cooling

Outdoor Living

Commercial Applications

TAX MATCH SAVINGS EVENT

Get savings equal to your estimated sales tax with coupon ZEROTAX at checkout. Offer Ends 7/31

Umbrella Fabrics Guide

Acrylic

Polyester

Polypropylene (Olefin)

Related Videos

﻿ALL VIDEOS﻿

A Beginner's Guide to Choosing the Perfect Patio Umbrella

What Size Patio Umbrella Do I Need?

The Benefits of Investing in a Quality Outdoor Umbrella

Six Tips for Choosing the Perfect Patio Umbrella

Ideas & Inspiration

Heating

Shading

Cooling

Outdoor Living

Commercial Applications

Follow PatioHeatandShade on Social Media

Umbrella Fabrics Guide

Acrylic

Polyester

Polypropylene (Olefin)

Ideas & Inspiration

Heating

Shading

Cooling

Outdoor Living

Commercial Applications

ALL VIDEOS