Designers, architects, boat owners, and homeowners prefer to use Sunbrella fabrics in decorating outdoors or indoors.

Glen Raven Inc, the maker of Sunbrella fabrics, control and enhance every step of Sunbrella production process. They begin with proprietary polymer chemistry and apply technical precision at every step of the production process - fiber formation, yarn manufacturing, weaving, and finishing.

Sunbrella history

Sunbrella fabrics debuted in 1961. It was considered an alternative to the most popular awning fabrics at that time, cotton. Sunbrella offers the same look and smoothness of cotton but Sunbrella fabrics do not fade or degrade even in the brightest sun and offered years of care and service. The first product made by Glen Raven Inc. was awnings, boating, and next outdoor furniture.

Sunbrella umbrellas and furniture cushions prove to be fast drying, durable, easy to clean, and beautiful.

Since then, all leading furniture manufacturers adopted Sunbrella furniture fabric for their products. Sunbrella is also the leading choice for convertible car tops and vehicles.

When Sunbrella was gaining recognition from the market, Glen Raven Inc. was preparing the introduction of Sunbrella to be used for interior designing.

Today, you will find Sunbrella at home, from decks, patios and poolside, dining rooms, family rooms and even kitchen and bathrooms.

What is Sunbrella fabric?

Sunbrella is 100% solution-dyed woven acrylic. The name Sunbrella is synonymous to outdoor fabric. These beautiful fabrics are ideal for indoor and outdoor home furnishings, as well as wide range of marine interior applications.

The reason behind this long lasting color is due to the solution-dying process that locks the colors into the acrylic fiber. Sunbrella resist from fading even after years and years of exposure to wind, rain, and sun. It also resist from stains and mildew. 

Sunbrella fabric comes in thousands of designs and hundreds of colors. This outdoor fabric is comprised of five pattern types, namely: decorative, solid, stripe, texture, and tweed. Each pattern type consists of hundreds of Sunbrella style numbers and Sunbrella names.

Outdoor fabric sustainability

Glen Raven Inc. offers a recycling service for Sunbrella costumers. Sunbrella waste is manufactured into industrial products such as felt, insulation, and padding. Sunbrella fabrics are extremely durable. These outdoor fabrics are engineered for a serviceable lifespan of two to ten times longer than the conventional fabrics.

Moreover, Skin Cancer Foundation recommends Sunbrella as a protection from the heat of the sun. Sunbrella awnings also reduce energy consumption by 10% to 60%. Sunbrella furniture fabrics are Greenguard certified for contributing a healthy indoor air by being a very low emitting interior product.

Sunbrella at home

Sunbrella fabrics provide stunning designs that can be used for home interior decor. Most home designers prefer to use Sunbrella fabric because it is easy to maintain, and most spills can be cleaned with mild soap and water.

Sunbrella are perfect for family rooms and cottages. Outdoor Sunbrella fabric can be used as chair/patio cushion, furniture upholstery, indoor and outdoor sheers, awning, indoor and outdoor curtains, patio pillows, umbrella, throw pillows, blanket, bedding, etc. Sunbrella are also available in rugs and throws to accessorize your house.

Indoor and outdoor Sunbrella sheers soften harsh light coming into a room and retains their color through years of exposure to sunlight. Sunbrella cushions offers comfort and peace of mind knowing that you are using a durable fabric that lasts for years.

Sunbrella awning fabric reduces your energy cost because it blocks sun's heat. It reduces heat gain by 55 percent to 65 percent on southern-facing windows and 72 percent to 77 percent on western exposures.

Sunbrella at sea

Sunbrella as the leading fabric among other fabric had made its way to the sea. Sunbrella boat covers are preferred by most boat owners and sailors for protection against heat of the sun. The marine canvas of Sunbrella provides 25% greater water repellency without the loss of breathability.

Fade-resistant Sunbrella marine fabric can withstand harsh environment of the open sea. And because it is woven, it does not trap heat and moisture.

To add color to your boat, the Sunbrella yachting collection is specifically designed for marine interiors and other decorative applications for powerboat owners and sailors.

Sunbrella around the town

Some restaurant owners made a good choice by using Sunbrella fabrics as their awnings, table covers and even area rugs.

Sunbrella furniture fabrics are produced from tough acrylic fibers, so they resist stains and mildew while maintaining their good looks indoors or out.

Even if Sunbrella is expensive, restaurant owners prefer Sunbrella fabric because it lasts long, easy to clean and fade-resistant.

Car owners also prefer to use Sunbrella fabric for the protection of their car from changing weather.

Care and Cleaning Sunbrella

One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella fabrics looking good is to hose fabrics off on a monthly basis with clear water. This practice will help prevent dirt from becoming deeply embedded on the fabric and avoid vigorous cleaning.

When thorough cleaning is needed, Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned while still on an awning frame or they can be removed when using a washing machine for cleaning.

When cleaning Sunbrella fabrics, it is important to observe the following:

•    Always use a mild soap such as Ivory Snow, Dreft or Woolite.
•    Water should be cold to lukewarm. (Never more than 100°F/38°C.)
•    Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residues.
•    Air dry only. Never apply heat to Sunbrella fabrics.

Heavy cleaning for stubborn stains and mildew

Sunbrella fabric does not promote mildew growth; however, mildew may grow on dirt and other foreign substances that are not removed from the fabric. To clean mildew, or other stubborn stains:

•    Eight ounces (1 cup) of chlorine bleach.
•    Two ounces (1/4 cup) of mild soap and/or detergent.
•    One gallon of water.
•    Clean with soft bristle brush.
•    Allow mixture to soak into fabric for up to 15 minutes.
•    Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed.
•    Air dry.   
•    Repeat if necessary.
•    Re-treatment of fabric for water and stain resistance will be necessary.

Re-treating the fabric

As part of the finishing process, Sunbrella fabrics are treated with a fluorocarbon finish, which enhances water repellency. Fluorocarbon finish is designed to last for several years, but must be replenished after a thorough cleaning. Based on test results, Glen Raven recommends 303 High Tech Fabric Guard as the preferred re-treatment product for Sunbrella fabrics.

Applying 303 High Tech Fabric Guard

303 should be applied to Sunbrella fabrics after each thorough cleaning, which typically removes the original finish and reduces the fabric’s water repellency.

•    Clean Sunbrella fabric, using one of the cleaning methods.
•    Allow Sunbrella to completely air dry.
•    Apply 303 Fabric Guard in a well ventilated area following instructions on the container.
•    Apply 303 in a thin, even coat and allow fabric to dry completely.
•    Apply a second thin, even coating of 303. (Two light coatings are more effective in restoring fabric water resistance than a single heavy coating. A 15-ounce bottle provides coverage of up to 50 square feet of fabric.)