Expert Advice: Most Durable Furniture Fabrics

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When shopping for furniture, especially for high-traffic areas like your living room or family room, durability isn’t just a preference; it’s a necessity. Between pets, kids, spills, and everyday wear, your upholstery should be strong enough to withstand your lifestyle without sacrificing style or comfort.

At La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston, customers often ask our team which upholstery fabrics hold up the best. With so many materials to choose from, ranging from natural fibres to synthetic blends, determining which is the most durable can be overwhelming.

To bring clarity, we consulted our in-house expert, Mary Lee Smyth, an interior designer from La-Z-Boy Kingston, to explain which fabrics truly go the distance and why. Whether you're furnishing a busy household or investing in timeless comfort, this guide will help you make a confident, long-lasting choice.

Key Takeaways:

• Synthetic fabrics like polyester and olefin outperform natural fibres in durability.
• Performance fabrics such as iClean and Pet-Friendly are the top choices at La-Z-Boy.
• Durability depends on fibre type, tight weave, and protective finishes.
• La-Z-Boy’s fabrics undergo industry-leading testing, including abrasion and stain resistance.
• Leather can outlast fabric but requires careful maintenance and climate control.
• Ideal fabric choices for durability depend on your household's lifestyle, not just aesthetics.

In This Article…

1. What Does “Durable Fabric” Mean?
2. What Makes Fabric Long-Lasting?
3. La-Z-Boy’s Most Durable Fabric Types
4. Performance Fabrics at La-Z-Boy: iClean & Pet-Friendly
5. How La-Z-Boy Tests Fabric Durability
6. FAQs About Durable Furniture Fabrics
   
   

What Does "Durable Fabric" Mean?

Durable upholstery fabric refers to material that maintains its shape, colour, and structural integrity even after years of regular use. This includes resisting:

• Fraying, pilling, and snagging
• Staining and moisture damage
• Fading from sunlight or heat exposure
• Breakdown of fibres over time

The durability of a fabric is measured through mechanical and chemical testing methods. One of the most common indicators is the double-rub rating, which simulates years of wear through a back-and-forth abrasion process.

“Durability doesn’t just mean how long something lasts. It’s also about how well it holds up in real-life scenarios like pets jumping on furniture, kids spilling juice, or hosting friends every weekend,” explains Mary Lee.

What Makes Fabric Long-Lasting?

The longevity of a fabric depends on several intertwined factors, including its composition, weave, and surface treatment.

1. Fibre Type

Synthetic fibres, such as polyester, olefin, and rayon, are the most durable due to their resilience, moisture resistance, and ease of cleaning. These materials are engineered to resist fading, abrasion, and stretching.

In contrast, natural fibres like cotton, linen, and wool are often softer and more breathable but less resistant to everyday wear. Natural fabrics are also more prone to pilling, fading, and shrinkage over time.

“While natural fibres have a luxurious appeal, synthetic blends are built for everyday use. Polyester, in particular, is one of the top performers in our durability testing,” says Mary Lee.

2. Weave & Construction

The strength of a fabric’s weave directly affects how well it stands up to stress. Tightly woven fabrics tend to be more resistant to abrasion and snagging, whereas loose weaves are more susceptible to tearing or fraying.

At La-Z-Boy, durability is enhanced through precision weaving, ensuring threads stay intact over extended use.

“The tighter the weave, the better it holds up over time. It’s a detail that might go unnoticed at first glance, but it makes all the difference in how long your upholstery will last,” adds Mary Lee.

3. Surface Treatments

Performance treatments, such as stain repellents, are applied to many La-Z-Boy fabrics. These treatments create a barrier around the fabric fibres, helping resist liquid absorption, bacteria, and even UV damage.

La-Z-Boy’s proprietary iClean technology is one such example that prevents stains from setting in, making cleanup quick and stress-free.

La-Z-Boy's Most Durable Fabric Types

La-Z-Boy categorizes its fabrics into three main durability groups based on how well they withstand daily use:

While La-Z-Boy’s grading system classifies fabric by quality, it doesn’t necessarily indicate durability. Some higher-grade natural fabrics may be luxurious but less practical for everyday use. To learn more about La-Z-Boy’s grading system, take a look at this comprehensive fabric guide.

Performance Fabrics: iClean & Pet-Friendly

La-Z-Boy’s Performance Fabrics are specifically designed for high-stress environments. These fabrics go through extra treatments and testing to withstand the challenges of family life, pets, and frequent guests.

iClean Fabrics

La-Z-Boy’s iClean fabrics are among the most stain-resistant on the market. They feature a patented barrier that surrounds each fibre, repelling liquid and dirt on contact.

• Repels common spills like coffee, wine, and juice
• Easy blotting without leaving a stain
• Ideal for homes with kids or pets

“iClean is a customer favourite for a reason. You’d be amazed at how often we demonstrate a red wine spill that wipes right off with no trace,” says Mary Lee.

Pet-Friendly Fabrics

Pet-Friendly fabrics are woven with durability in mind. Their high tensile strength and tight construction prevent claw damage and reduce hair entanglement.

These fabrics are great not just for pet owners, but also for families with young kids who tend to put furniture through similar levels of stress.

“Pet-Friendly doesn’t mean just for pets. It’s for any household that’s a little chaotic. These are the go-to options for parents and dog owners alike,” Mary Lee explains.

To learn more about Pet-Friendly Fabrics, take a look at this article.

How La-Z-Boy Tests Fabric Durability

La-Z-Boy’s upholstery fabrics undergo rigorous testing, surpassing industry standards to ensure long-lasting performance.

Double Rub Test

This test simulates everyday use by rubbing fabric back and forth. Federal guidelines equate 3,000 double rubs to one year of wear. La-Z-Boy’s most durable fabrics reach 30,000 or more, making them suitable for families and commercial use.

Additional Tests Include:

• Seam fatigue tests: Simulate stress on stitching over time.
• Brush pilling tests: Determine how quickly a fabric starts to pill under pressure.
• Flammability and strength tests: Ensure fabrics are compliant with global safety standards.
• Water repellency & stain release tests: Specific to performance fabrics like iClean.

“We go well beyond the basics when it comes to fabric testing. Our goal is to ensure your furniture doesn’t just look good for a year. It holds up for a decade or more,” says Mary Lee.

Chemical testing is also done on all fabrics, which is modified annually based on ever-changing global regulations. To learn more about the type of chemicals used on your furniture, check out this article Is La-Z-Boy Furniture Toxic?

FAQs About Durable Furniture Fabrics

What is the most durable fabric for a couch?

The most durable options are performance fabrics like La-Z-Boy’s iClean and Pet-Friendly lines. Made primarily from polyester and olefin, they’re resistant to stains, stretching, fading, and fraying.

What makes a fabric kid- and pet-proof?

Durability, stain resistance, and a tight weave are essential. Fabrics treated with protective coatings and made from synthetic materials stand up best to daily abuse.

Is leather more durable than fabric?

Leather lasts up to five times longer than fabric and is easier to clean. However, it’s more prone to cracking in dry conditions and is sensitive to temperature shifts. To see a more in-depth comparison between Fabric vs Leather, take a look at this article.

Are La-Z-Boy performance fabrics worth the cost?

Absolutely. They offer longevity, easier cleaning, and peace of mind, especially in busy homes.

“Performance fabrics are a smart investment. They’re not just for people with pets or kids. They’re for anyone who wants their furniture to look great and last longer,” Mary Lee confirms.

What's Next?

Now that you understand the key elements that make a fabric durable, you can approach your furniture purchase with confidence. Whether you're furnishing a new home or upgrading a worn-out sofa, choosing the right fabric can make all the difference.

Visit one of our La-Z-Boy showrooms in Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston to see and feel our most durable fabric options in person. You can also schedule a visit online to consult with our expert team, including Mary Lee, who can help you find the perfect upholstery for your space.

To learn more about La-Z-Boy Fabrics, take a look at this upholstery guide for more.

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