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

Est. Reading Time: 7 Mins

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 your all-in-one resource for La-Z-Boy fabrics, helping you understand fabric grades, specialty options, care tips, and the differences between cloth and leather. 

Key Takeaways:

• Fabric grades reflect cost, material complexity, and design, not just durability
• A higher-grade fabric is not always better for everyday use, especially in high-traffic households
• The most durable fabrics are chosen based on how they perform, not where they sit in the grading system
• At La-Z-Boy, fabric grades offer a range of options that balance style, performance, and long-term value
• The best fabric choice comes down to your lifestyle, usage, and maintenance needs, not just price

In This Article...

1. What Do Fabric Grades Mean?
2. What is La-Z-Boy’s Fabric Grading System?
3. Do Higher Fabric Grades Mean Better Quality?
4. What Factors Affect Fabric Grade?
5. Fabric Grades vs. Durability: What Actually Matters?
6. How to Choose the Right Fabric Grade For Your Lifestyle
7. Common Misunderstandings About Fabric Grades
8.  How Do Select and Custom Fabrics Differ? 
9.  What Are La-Z-Boy’s Specialty Performance Fabrics? 
10.  Fabric vs. Leather: Which One is Best for You? 
11. FAQ

What Do Fabric Grades Mean?

Fabric grades are used to categorize upholstery by cost, material, and manufacturing process, but they do not work as most people expect.

Many assume a higher fabric grade means better quality or durability. In reality, fabric grades are more closely tied to design complexity and production factors than to how well the fabric will hold up over time.

Each grade groups fabrics have similar characteristics, such as:

• The type of material used
• The complexity of the weave
• The level of pattern detail
• The manufacturing process required

Higher-grade fabrics often cost more because they may include intricate patterns, layered textures, or specialty finishes, not necessarily because they are more durable.

“Fabric grades can be misleading if you don’t understand what they represent,” says Mary Lee. “A higher grade often reflects how the fabric is made, not how it performs in everyday use.”

This is especially important to understand when shopping at La-Z-Boy, where a wide range of fabric options is available across different grades. Rather than focusing solely on the number, it is more helpful to consider how the fabric feels, performs, and fits your lifestyle.

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.

Do Higher Fabric Grades Mean Better Quality?

One of the most common misconceptions about fabric grades is that a higher grade automatically means better quality. In reality, fabric grades are more closely tied to cost, material complexity, and design than to durability or performance.

Higher-grade fabrics often include more intricate patterns, unique textures, or specialized finishes, which increase production costs. However, this does not always make them the best choice for everyday use.

Understanding this distinction is important when making a purchase. Fabric grades are not meant to rank quality from lowest to highest. Instead, they help you compare options based on how the fabric is made and how it is intended to be used.

“People often assume they should choose the highest grade available,” says Mary Lee, “But the better choice is the fabric that fits how they live day to day.”

 For example, a mid-grade fabric may be a practical choice for a loveseat in a quieter room, while a higher-grade performance fabric may be better suited for a sectional that sees daily use by kids or pets.

At La-Z-Boy, every fabric is designed to meet consistent quality standards, regardless of grade. The grading system simply provides flexibility, allowing customers to choose between different looks, textures, and performance features without assuming that a lower grade means lower quality.

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

What Factors Affect Fabric Grade?

Several key factors influence how fabrics are categorized into different grades.

Material Type

The type of material plays a major role in determining cost. Natural fibres, blends, and synthetics all vary in price depending on how they are sourced and processed.

Weave and Construction

Fabrics with more complex weaves or layered construction require more time and precision to produce. This often places them in higher grade categories.

Pattern and Design

Detailed patterns or custom designs can increase fabric costs due to the additional production work required.

Finishes and Treatments

Some fabrics include added features such as stain resistance or performance coatings. These treatments can influence grading depending on how they are applied.

“Two fabrics can look similar at first glance,” Mary Lee explains, “but the way they are constructed can be completely different.”

Fabric Grades vs Durability: What Actually Matters?

When it comes to everyday use, durability is often more important than fabric grade.

Durability depends on how well a fabric holds up to:

• daily wear
• friction
• spills and cleaning

Some mid-grade fabrics are specifically engineered for high-traffic environments, making them more practical than higher-grade options that focus on appearance.

Higher-grade fabrics may offer a softer feel or more detailed design, but they are not always the best choice for households with pets, children, or heavy use.

“We always ask how the furniture will be used first,” Mary Lee says. “That usually matters more than the grade itself.”

This is where understanding your lifestyle becomes more important than focusing on numbers. To learn more about Which Fabric is Most Durable, take a look at this article. 

How to Choose the Right Fabric Grade for Your Lifestyle

Choosing the right fabric starts with understanding how your furniture will be used daily.

For busy households, durability and ease of maintenance should be the priority. Performance fabrics or tightly woven materials are often better suited for spaces that see frequent use, spills, or pets.

For lower-traffic areas, you have more flexibility to focus on texture, colour, or design, since the fabric will not be exposed to as much wear over time.

It is also worth considering how much maintenance you are comfortable with. Some fabrics are easier to clean and hold their appearance longer, while others may require more care.

The goal is to match the fabric to how you live and how often the furniture is used, not just how it looks in-store.

“Sometimes the best fabric isn’t the most expensive one,” Mary Lee says. “It’s the one that fits your lifestyle and holds up over time.”

Common Misunderstandings About Fabric Grades

There are several misconceptions that can make choosing a fabric more confusing than it needs to be.

One of the most common is assuming that a higher grade always means higher quality. As discussed earlier, this is not necessarily true, as grade is often tied to design and cost rather than performance.

Another misunderstanding is thinking that all fabrics within the same grade perform the same. In reality, durability, texture, and maintenance can vary significantly depending on the material and construction.

It is also common to assume that paying more guarantees better long-term value. In many cases, a well-chosen mid-grade fabric can offer better durability and practicality for everyday use.

“People are often surprised when they learn that a lower-grade fabric can actually perform better for their needs,” Mary Lee notes.

Understanding these differences helps shift the focus away from price alone and toward choosing the right fabric for your space and lifestyle.

One main concern that people have with fabric is pilling. Learn more about Fabric Pilling and what it is with this article.

Select vs. Custom Fabrics

One of the most common questions customers ask in our Ottawa, Gatineau, and Kingston showrooms is whether to choose Select Fabric or 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 Select Fabric, the fabric is included 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.”

Select vs Custom: 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 Custom Furniture at La-Z-Boy, 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

Fabric vs. Leather: 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.

FAQ

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 you're choosing the right fabric or leather cover for your furniture.

To speak with one of our consultants or designers today, visit 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