Sofa Fabric Options

Tight-Weave Fabrics

• An important factor to consider when choosing a fabric for your sofa is fabric construction. Sofa fabrics are exposed to lots of wear, so tightly-woven fabrics are a more cost-effective choice, because they wear better and last longer.

  The University of Kentucky Extension Service recommends looking for material that has a balanced weave. This means that the fabric has warp (lengthwise) and filler (crosswise) yarns of about the same number and strength. Many patterned fabrics have looser floating weaves in the designs that can snag and tear.

  Twill weave fabric is a good choice for upholstery because it has a tight weave and is more durable than plain weaves. Deep pile fabrics like frieze and velvet are also durable and attractive.

Natural Fabrics

• Natural fabrics for sofa covering include wool, silk and cotton. Wool and cotton fabrics have tight weaves and are available in many colors and patterns. They also are fairly resistant to abrasion and can be cleaned easily, but have poor resistance to fading from exposure to light.

  Silk fabric, while it is attractive and comes in a variety of patterns, is easily stained and extremely expensive. Silk-covered sofas are best used in formal living or sitting rooms that see less traffic.

  According to Colorado State University, wool fabric is slow to burn but cotton is quite flammable. Cotton upholstery fabrics are treated with flame-retardant finishes to make them safer.

Synthetic Fabrics

• Synthetic materials--such as polyester, olefin, acrylic and rayon--are often used in upholstery. These materials offer cost advantages as well as being durable and stain-resistant. Synthetic materials can be made to resemble more expensive fabrics, like silk or damask, but at a lower cost.

  According to University of Illinois Extension, synthetic and natural fiber yarns are often combined to produce fabric with the best qualities of each. Synthetic fiber fabrics are durable, easily cleaned and take dyes well.