Patio umbrella fabrics
Patio umbrella fabrics are the materials that make up the canopies of patio umbrellas. In order to survive outdoors, patio umbrella fabrics must be waterproof and resistant to fraying, tearing, and ultraviolet radiation. Today, there are two types of fabrics widely used for patio umbrella canopies: solution-dyed acrylic fabrics and polyurethane-coated polyester fabrics.
Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics
Acrylic is a synthetic material used in making other products aside from patio umbrella canopies. It is commonly used in manufacturing socks and painting canvases. Acrylic is valued for its ability to wick away moisture and prevent seepage. In socks, acrylic is loosely woven to allow the feet to breathe and cool down naturally. In painting canvases and umbrella canopies, acrylic is tightly woven with no gaps between the individual threads. In patio umbrellas, this feature prevents moisture from seeping through them, allowing people to take shelter underneath them.
Acrylic is dyed using colored powder or a chemical solution. Powder-dyed acrylic fabrics are more appropriate for use in indoor upholstery and clothing. These fabrics are durable and lighter in weight than solution-dyed fabrics. Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics, on the other hand, are well suited to the outdoors. They are dyed using chemical solutions. Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics are heavy and resistant to wearing and fading. Both powder- and solution-dyed fabrics come in every imaginable color. This diverse color palette gives more color options for patio umbrellas.
Polyurethane-coated polyester fabrics
Like acrylic, polyester and polyurethane are manmade fabrics. Polyester is a light and breathable fabric commonly used in clothing. It is known for its ability to retain dyes well. However, polyester is not naturally water-resistant. In order to make it more suitable for outdoor use like in patio umbrellas, polyester is coated in polyurethane. When in fabric form, polyurethane creates a watertight shield on top of the polyester to prevent moisture from seeping through it.
However, both polyurethane and polyester have qualities that make them unappealing. Polyurethane often gives fabrics a rough, stippled texture with polyurethane beads collecting on the shell of the fabrics, and some people find this quite unappealing. On the other hand, polyester is highly inflammable--the smallest spark can set the entire canopy aflame. People who choose patio umbrellas with canopies made of polyurethane-coated polyester are urged to keep the canopies away from garden fixtures with open flame like torches, hanging gas lamps, and candles.
Features of patio umbrella fabrics
Patio umbrella fabrics differ by weight. It is entirely possible for two patio umbrellas of the same size to differ in weight because of the weight of their canopies. Canopy fabrics generally range from 5.8 ounces to eight ounces in weight. Heavier fabrics consist of more fibers, so they are more resistant to fading and wear than lighter ones. They are more expensive as well.
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