A Complete Guide to Fabric Upholstery at La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston

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Choosing the right fabric upholstery is one of the most important steps when investing in new furniture. Your choice affects not only how your sofa or sectional looks but also how it feels, how long it lasts, and how easy it is to care for.

As Mary Lee Smyth, Interior Designer at La-Z-Boy Kingston, explains: “People are often surprised by how much fabric selection impacts comfort and longevity. A beautiful sofa in the wrong fabric can feel impractical within months, while the right performance fabric can last for years without losing its appeal.”

This guide is designed as your all-in-one resource on La-Z-Boy fabrics, helping you understand grades, specialty options, care tips, and the differences between cloth and leather. 

Key Takeaways:

• La-Z-Boy offers hundreds of fabric options, from budget-friendly select covers to premium custom grades.
• Fabric grades run from B through Q, with price and durability increasing along the scale.
• Specialty performance fabrics include iClean (stain-resistant), Eco-Friendly, Antimicrobial, Pet-Friendly, Performance blends, and Restore by Nanobionic®.
• Select fabrics come at no extra charge but are tied to specific frames, while custom fabrics allow greater personalization at an added cost.
• Matching your lifestyle to the right fabric, whether you have kids, pets, or a low-traffic living room, ensures long-term comfort and style.
• Proper fabric care and maintenance (vacuuming, blotting spills, professional cleaning when needed) can extend the lifespan of your upholstery significantly.
  
  

In This Article...

1. What is La-Z-Boy’s Fabric Grading System?
2. How Do Select and Custom Fabrics Differ?
3. What Are La-Z-Boy’s Specialty Performance Fabrics?
4. Fabric vs. Leather: Which One is Best for You?
5. How to Clean and Maintain Fabric Upholstery

La-Z-Boy Fabric Grades Explained

When people first learn that La-Z-Boy fabrics are assigned letter grades, they often assume the grading system works like a school report card. In reality, every grade from B through Q represents a different balance of price, durability, weave, and texture. A B-grade fabric may be more affordable, but it still meets La-Z-Boy’s standards for quality and comfort. A Q-grade fabric is often made with premium materials and complex weaves, which is why it carries a higher price.

As Mary Lee explains, “Grading isn’t about good or bad. It’s about options. A higher grade might offer more intricate texture or advanced durability, but even entry-level fabrics are crafted to last and to look great in your home.”

How Fabric Grades Are Determined

La-Z-Boy considers several factors when assigning fabric grades:

• Material type: Polyester blends, cotton, and performance synthetics all affect durability.
• Weave density: Tighter weaves typically last longer and resist pilling.
• Construction methods: Some fabrics include advanced treatments or multi-layered fibres for added strength.
• Testing results: Fabrics are tested for abrasion resistance, colorfastness, and pilling to ensure long-term performance.

Fabric Wearability Levels

Beyond grades, La-Z-Boy categorizes fabrics into three wearability levels to make selection easier:

• Normal Wearability: Designed for everyday use on furniture, suitable for most living room pieces.
• Medium Wearability: Better suited to stationary furniture like sofas and loveseats, but not ideal for reclining mechanisms that add stress to the fabric.
• High Wearability (Performance): Built for families and busy households, these fabrics resist abrasion, fraying, and pilling, making them ideal for sectionals and recliners in high-traffic spaces.

Why Fabric Grades Matter For Buyers

Understanding the grading system helps you set realistic expectations for cost, style, and durability. For example, a C-grade fabric may be ideal for a loveseat in a quiet sitting room, while a G-grade performance fabric is more suitable for a sectional that receives daily use from kids and pets.

This system allows Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston customers to match fabrics to both lifestyle and budget without worrying that a lower grade means poor quality. Every option still meets La-Z-Boy’s high standards, but the range provides flexibility for different homes and lifestyles.

To learn more about Which Fabric is Most Durable, take a look at this article.

Select vs. Custom Fabrics

One of the most common questions customers ask in our Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston showrooms is whether they should choose a Select Fabric or a Custom Fabric for their furniture. Both options come with advantages, but the right choice depends on your priorities.

What are Select Fabrics?

Select Fabrics are “married” to specific furniture frames. This means that when you purchase a sofa or recliner with a Select Fabric, the fabric comes at no extra charge. The catch is that Select Fabrics are limited to certain pieces. If you fall in love with a Select Fabric but want to use it on a different model, it won’t be available.

As Mary Lee explains, “Select Fabrics are perfect for customers who want great value without getting overwhelmed by too many choices. The quality is still excellent, but the options are tied to specific frames to keep costs lower.”

What Are Custom Fabrics?

Custom Fabrics represent the full range of La-Z-Boy upholstery. These fabrics are not tied to a single frame, which means you can apply them to almost any sofa, sectional, loveseat, or recliner. Custom Fabrics do add to the price, but they open up hundreds of possibilities for colour, texture, and performance.

Mary adds, “Custom Fabrics are about personalization. If you want your furniture to be uniquely yours, Custom Fabrics give you the flexibility to choose the exact look and performance features that fit your lifestyle.”

Which One is Right for You?

• Choose Select Fabrics if you’re looking for affordability and simplicity. They’re a great fit if you find a frame you love and one of the Select options suits your space.
• Choose Custom Fabrics if you want more flexibility in style and performance. They’re ideal for customers who want stain-resistant, pet-friendly, or eco-friendly fabrics in specific colours and textures.

Both options uphold La-Z-Boy’s quality standards, so you can feel confident no matter which path you take. The decision often comes down to whether you prioritize value and convenience or personalization and flexibility.

To learn more about the Quality of La-Z-Boy Furniture, take a look at this article.

Specialized Performance Fabrics

La-Z-Boy is well known for offering performance fabrics that are designed to withstand the challenges of real life while still looking stylish. These fabrics are engineered for households with kids, pets, frequent guests, or anyone who wants furniture that looks good without requiring constant upkeep.

As Mary Lee often says, “When you’re investing in furniture that will see daily use, choosing the right performance fabric is just as important as choosing the right frame. It protects your comfort and your investment long term.”

Here are the specialty performance fabrics available at La-Z-Boy today.

Stain-Resistant Covers

Innovative iClean Technology surrounds each fibre, creating a barrier that repels spills before they turn into stains. These fabrics are perfect for families and those who entertain frequently.

Pet-Friendly Fabrics

Tested and formulated to withstand the scratches and wear that pets can cause, ensuring a durable and easily washable fabric.

Antimicrobial Covers

These fabrics have antimicrobial properties that protect against mould, mildew, and odour-causing bacteria, ensuring a healthier living environment.

Eco-Friendly Fabrics

Conserve Sustainable Fabrics are soft, durable, and made from recycled water bottles, offering an environmentally friendly option without sacrificing quality.

Energy Restoration

Restore by Nanobionic® features a mineral-based fabric coating that transforms natural body heat into energy using infrared technology, providing added comfort and health benefits.

Bleach Cleanable

These comfortable and resilient fabrics can withstand diluted bleach products for the toughest stains.

Fabric vs. Leather: Which is Right For You?

For many customers, the real question isn’t whether to choose fabric, but whether fabric or leather upholstery will better fit their needs. Both options offer unique benefits.

As Mary Lee explains, “It’s not about fabric versus leather as competitors. It’s about understanding which option supports your lifestyle. Families often lean toward performance fabrics, while those who want timeless elegance and easy maintenance are drawn to leather.”

Fabric vs. Leather Comparison

Which Should You Choose?

Fabric is ideal for those who value variety, comfort, and affordability, while leather appeals to those who want timeless elegance, durability, and easier upkeep.

Mary often recommends a blend: “A fabric sectional in the living room paired with a leather accent chair in the study gives you the best of both worlds.”

To learn more about the Difference Between Fabric vs. Leather, take a look at this article.

How to Care for and Maintain Fabric Upholstery

No matter which fabric you choose, proper care and maintenance will keep your furniture looking fresh for years. 

As Mary Lee explains, “The right fabric can handle daily life beautifully, but every fabric lasts longer when it’s cared for. A few simple habits can make a big difference in how your sofa looks five or ten years from now.”

To learn about More Furniture Care Tips, take a look at this article.

Cleaning Codes You Should Know

Every La-Z-Boy fabric comes with a cleaning code that tells you how to treat spills or stains safely. Fabrics labelled with a W code can be cleaned with water-based solutions such as mild soap and water. 

Fabrics with an S code require solvent-based cleaners, since water can cause damage. Fabrics with an X code should not be cleaned with liquids at all; instead, they should only be vacuumed or brushed lightly. Knowing these codes before purchasing ensures you choose a fabric that aligns with your preferred level of upkeep.

To learn more about How to Clean La-Z-Boy Fabrics, take a look at this article.

Everyday Cleaning Habits

To keep fabric looking fresh, regular maintenance is key. Vacuuming with an upholstery attachment removes dust, crumbs, and pet hair that naturally accumulate. 

Rotating and flipping cushions, when possible, helps ensure even wear across the piece. Brushing fabrics occasionally with a soft brush also prevents dirt buildup and keeps fibres looking neat. These small steps, when done consistently, make upholstery last longer.

Handling Spills and Stains

When accidents happen, it’s important to act quickly. Blotting spills immediately with a clean, dry cloth prevents liquid from soaking into fibres. For fabrics with a W code, mild soap and water can be used for spot cleaning. For S-code fabrics, it’s best to use a solvent-based upholstery cleaner or seek professional care. 

Performance fabrics like iClean are designed to resist stains, but even they benefit from prompt attention. Mary emphasizes, “Even with stain-resistant technology, the longer a spill sits, the harder it is to remove. Blotting immediately is always the safest approach.”

Professional Cleaning

Over time, all fabrics benefit from professional cleaning. This helps lift deep-set dirt, refreshes the appearance, and extends the overall lifespan of the upholstery.

Preventing Fabric Pilling

Pilling occurs when small fibre balls form on the surface due to friction. Regular vacuuming helps reduce the chance of pilling, and a fabric shaver can safely remove any that appear. For households especially concerned about this, La-Z-Boy’s performance fabrics are engineered to resist pilling altogether.

To learn more about Fabric Pilling, take a look at this article.

Protecting Your Investment

Even though many La-Z-Boy fabrics already feature protective coatings, applying an additional fabric protector can add peace of mind. For families with kids or pets, this extra step offers added insurance against spills and daily wear.

What's Next?

La-Z-Boy values furniture customization, offering numerous fabric upholstery covers to choose from. This wide variety allows customers to personalize their furniture and create unique pieces for their stylish homes.

If you’re still having a hard time making your decision, consult with a design consultant or an interior designer. Our designers are always eager to lend a helping hand, especially when helping you choose the right fabric or leather cover for your furniture.

To speak to one of our consultants or designers today, visit us at any of our local Ottawa, Gatineau & Kingston locations. You can also book an appointment online before coming in.

For more information on La-Z-Boy products, check out these helpful articles:

• Best Selling Recliners at La-Z-Boy
• Best Selling Sofas at La-Z-Boy
• Best Selling La-Z-Boy Sectionals

By exploring these resources and visiting our stores, you'll be well-equipped to make an informed decision and find the perfect fabric that combines comfort, style, and functionality. Thank you for considering La-Z-Boy, where we strive to provide the best in-home comfort and design.

Related Articles:

How to Choose the Right Sofa Colour

How to Mix Fabric & Leather Furniture

Scotchgard vs iClean: Which Fabric is Best For You