When choosing fabrics for your outdoor furniture, you’re likely looking for a material that can handle whatever the weather throws at it while still looking great.
Terylast is recognized for its heavy-duty polyester composition, well-suited to withstand harsh weather conditions, while Sunbrella is synonymous with quality outdoor fabrics that have led the performance fabric industry for decades.
Sunbrella fabrics are a go-to for vibrant colors and patterns, and they’ve established their reputation on being fade-resistant and easy to clean.
On the other hand, Terylast also offers a palette of rich colors with a luxurious feel, quickly drying after those summer rain showers.
Both materials are tailored for a life outside, where the sun’s UV rays and unexpected downpours are ordinary occurrences.
Overview of Terylast
When considering materials for your patio umbrella, Terylast is a strong contender known for its color richness and heavy-duty performance.
Material Composition
Terylast is composed of a high-grade polyester fabric. This luxurious material not only feels smooth to the touch but also boasts vibrant colors that can enhance the appearance of your outdoor space.
Durability Properties
Your Terylast umbrella is built to endure. It stands strong against extreme weather conditions and is quick to dry. Its resilience to mold and stains makes it a practical choice for outdoor accessories. Moreover, Terylast’s fabric is adept at blocking off 98% of UV rays, safeguarding you from potential sun damage.
Overview of Sunbrella
Sunbrella is renowned for its durability and the advanced protection it provides against the elements, making it a premier choice for outdoor fabrics.
Fabric Features
Durability: Sunbrella fabrics are constructed to withstand the rigors of outdoor use. The material boasts impressive fade resistance and protection against UV rays. These features have earned Sunbrella the International Seal of Recommendation for UV fabric by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Mold and Stain Resistance: You’ll find that Sunbrella fabrics are also resistant to mold and stains. This resistance contributes to the fabric’s longevity and ease of maintenance, ensuring that your outdoor spaces remain beautiful with minimal effort.
Application Spectrum
- Outdoor Furniture: Ideal for cushions, pillows, and upholstery due to its comfort and resilience.
- Marine Uses: Sunbrella extends its usability to boat covers and cushions, providing durability and protection in harsh marine environments.
- Shade Structures: The fabric serves as an excellent choice for patio umbrellas and awnings, offering both aesthetic appeal and functional shade.
- Indoor Settings: Despite being an outdoor powerhouse, Sunbrella fabrics also contribute to indoor aesthetics with their stylish designs and soft texture.
Comparison of Terylast and Sunbrella
When selecting materials for your patio umbrella, you may be wondering how Terylast compares to Sunbrella in terms of UV resistance, water repellency, and stain resistance.
UV Resistance
Sunbrella materials are known for their ability to endure intense sun exposure, which can prevent colors from fading over time. Their solution-dyed acrylic fiber provides long-lasting color retention. On the other hand, Terylast, being a polyester fabric, has a luxurious feel and rich colors, offering good UV protection, but it might not be as enduring as Sunbrella when faced with prolonged sun exposure.
Water Repellency
Your patio umbrella needs to withstand the rain just as well as the sunshine.
Terylast is recognized for its quick-drying properties and is excellent for dealing with rain due to its heavy-duty nature.
Sunbrella fabric also has high water repellency, thanks to its tightly woven fibers that help repel water and prevent mildew growth.
Stain Resistance
Occasional spills are inevitable.
With Sunbrella, cleanability is a key feature. These fabrics are designed not only to resist stains but also to be easy to clean while maintaining fabric strength.
Terylast fabric is also easy to care for, with many options being particularly resistant to stains, making it suitable for your outdoor spaces where spills may occur.
Use Cases and Applications
When deciding on materials for outdoor spaces, you’re likely looking for durability and protection against the elements. Here’s how Terylast and Sunbrella stand up in specific applications.
Outdoor Furniture
Terylast fabric, known for its rich color and luxurious touch, makes an appearance in many outdoor furniture settings due to its heavy-duty nature. It’s quick to dry and excels in extreme weather conditions, making it an excellent choice for patio canopies and furniture covers.
Sunbrella, on the other hand, has gained recognition for its UV protection and has been awarded the International Seal of Recommendation by the Skin Cancer Foundation. This fabric is also resistant to mold and stains, which is crucial for maintaining the appearance of your outdoor lounge chairs, sofas, and cushions over time.
Marine Upholstery
In the marine environment, your upholstery must withstand not just sun and rain, but saltwater and wind.
Sunbrella offers a specific line of fabrics, such as Sunbrella Seamark, that are waterproof and particularly suited for marine upholstery. This offers top-side Sunbrella fabric with a vinyl coating underneath, ideal for boat covers and biminis that need comprehensive protection from the rigors of the marine setting.
Terylast, while less known in marine applications, comes with the benefit of quick drying and resilience, which you’ll find invaluable when choosing fabric for your boat seats or sails. Its heavy-duty nature can stand up well to the challenging conditions at sea.
Care and Maintenance
Proper care can significantly extend the life of your patio umbrellas. Whether you choose Terylast or Sunbrella, adhering to the specific cleaning instructions and long-term care tips is essential for maintaining the fabric’s appearance and functionality.
Cleaning Instructions
Terylast:
- Mild Dirt or Stains: Mix a solution of water and mild soap. Use a soft brush to gently clean, then rinse thoroughly and air dry.
- Tough Stains: For stubborn stains, apply a fabric spot remover. Test on a small inconspicuous area first to ensure colorfastness.
Sunbrella:
- General Cleaning: For light soiling, spray on a cleaning solution of water and mild soap, use a soft bristle brush to clean, allow the cleaning solution to soak in, then rinse and air dry.
- For Mold or Heavy Stains: Prepare a solution with 1 cup of bleach and 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of water. Spray on the area, allow to soak for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Learn more about Sunbrella’s cleaning recommendations.
Long-Term Care Tips
Terylast:
- Avoid dragging the umbrella along rough surfaces to prevent snags.
- When not in use, store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent premature fading.
Sunbrella:
- Apply a UV fabric protector periodically to enhance resistance to the elements.
- Properly secure your umbrella in a strong base to prevent damage from wind.
