Fabric Backings and Protections - What to get when?

By: Andrea Schuch
We have several furniture manufacturers that consistently request backing on fabrics, along with many, many designers who are requesting fabric protection – but what kind to get? Backing is a great way to increase the length of a fabric’s life and it usually makes the fabric look very luxurious. It can also add to your bottom line. Industry experts weigh in below on the type of protection to use and when.

When to use knit backing and when to use acrylic backing?

Lee Frew, Owner of Frew Enterprises says: I love the knit backing--I love how it beefs up a silk and makes it really luxurious. It is most often used for delicate fabrics being used for upholstery, but it is very useful to strengthen fabrics for window treatments. For instance, on super-long panels, it will help keep the fabric from stretching or bagging. On cornices, it will allow the workroom to pull the fabric nice and taut, but the fabric still maintains its appearance. (Doesn’t get so distorted or sometimes the weave will start to separate in looser-woven fabrics.) It will also add support and body to roman shades. To me, it's like an extra layer of interlining, with the benefit that, being adhered to the face fabric; it would never pull away, like if a panel were hanging over an air vent. Personally, I am not a fan of the acrylic back for window treatments that are meant to have some drape to them -- it stiffens them too much. Also, that acrylic backing is a pain to sew, because it is sticky and doesn't want to run under the presser foot easily. (Although there are sewing machines made just to combat that problem.) It really does a good job for upholstery jobs, because it really stabilizes the face fabric. Backing is a must for delicate fabrics being used for a slip cover. All these crazy new fabrics with texture combinations (tight and loose together) really benefit, too; the backing makes them more stable and the treatment will keep its shape.
Arnold Espinal – Customer Service Manager of Duralee Fine Furniture says: Fabric backing is determined by the fabric’s properties. The fabrics weight, weave, stretchiness, type of fabric, see through fabric, etc are all factors that are used to determine what kind of backing is required. For example chenille's and lighting woven are usually recommended for acrylic backing and silk and see through fabric are usually recommended for knit-backing.
Cris of Schneider Banks says: Knit backing is normally used for light weight fabrics, silks and chenilles. It leaves the fabric softer than the acrylic backing. Acrylic backing is normally used for upholstery weight fabric or for wall upholstery like wallpaper which we treated with our Wall Upholstery Double Acrylic Backing. Our Standard Stain Protection is recommended with Acrylic or Double Acrylic Backing the fabric.

When do you usually request a backing be applied?

Arnold Espinal – Customer Service Manager of Duralee Fine Furniture says: At the time the fabric is received in the factory is when an inspection is done to determine if a fabric requires backing and what type of backing is needed.

What is Duraguard, when do you want that? (From Duralee Fabrics)?

Sue of Duralee Fabrics Customer Service says: Duraguard is a sprayed on finish. It goes on wet but dries quickly. It is used a stain repellent. Regardless of using Teflon or Duraguard, be sure to tend to the spill immediately. If a stain is left for a period of time and is no longer able to be wiped up with a cloth, have the item professionally dry cleaned.

What are the benefits of Teflon?

Cris of Schneider Banks says: Our Standard Stain Protection is comparable to a Teflon (which is trademarked) finish. It is a water/ soil protection which should last the life of the fabric. It will withstand launderings and dry cleanings (however the fabric is to be cleaned).

What is the new process nanotex?

Arnold Espinal – Customer Service Manager of Duralee Fine Furniture says: Nanotex is a trademarked soil and stain repellent that is applied to the surface of the fabric.
Cris of Schneider Banks says: It is comparable to our Premium Stain Protection which is a double application to both sides of the fabric and it a water/ soil protection which will last the life of the fabric. It will withstand launderings and dry cleanings (however the fabric is to be cleaned).

What do you see fabrics with clear lamination applied to it used most for?

Lee Frew, Owner of Frew Enterprises says: Laminated fabrics; I've seen it mostly used for chair seats and cushions, and placemats. I know it gets used for roller shades, but I've never had to do that personally.
Arnold Espinal – Customer Service Manager of Duralee Fine Furniture says: We have only received two laminated fabrics come through over the last three years for a sofa and chairs. Both orders were for different customers, but were used in assisted living facilities.
Cris of Schneider Banks says: Tablecloths, placemats, chair seats and patio furniture.