Learn everything about patio furniture replacement cushions. This informative FAQ page will give you the answers to the construction, the design, the outdoor fabrics used to make cushions for your outdoor chair, chaise lounge or patio seat pad. Chair Care Patio makes outdoor furniture replacement cushions in any style for any patio furniture manufacturer.
What Outdoor Fabrics do you offer for Outdoor Furniture Cushions and Outdoor Pillows?
We offer an amazing selection of outdoor fabrics. Including Sunbrella, Outdura, Tempotest, Revolution, Maria Flora, Sunbelievable, Fortress, Inside Out, Phifer, Twitchell, Perrenials and more. Each manufacturer offers a huge selection of durable, UV resistant fabrics for your outdoor cushions and pillows. Order free fabric swatches of our online fabric selection before you order. If you live in the North Texas area, you are welcome to come by and look at our fabric books in person. Our talented design team will help select and coordinate fabrics for your outdoor furniture cushion project.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR SELECTION OF CUSTOM MADE OUTDOOR FURNITURE CUSHIONS
What Is A Solution Dyed Acrylic?
Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics keep their color longer because of the specific process that’s used to dye the fibres. Acrylic fibres start as a liquid acrylic polymer solution. The chemical fluid is forced through a device called a spinneret, which has many tiny holes. Long acrylic fibres are extruded during this process. The sun, wind and rain can take a toll on your outdoor cushions. Outdoor fabrics need to endure the elements. Your patio furniture cushions should look great and maintain their color for several years. Solution dyed acrylics are the most common outdoor fabrics used for outdoor patio furniture cushions and pillows. The most well-known manufacturers of Solution Dyed Acrylic Outdoor fabrics in the US are Sunbrella, Outdura, and Tempotest. Acrylic fabrics are durable, high-performance synthetic fabrics made from acrylic fibers.
The benefits of a Solution Dyed Acrylic Fabrics are:
How Are Solution Dyed Acrylics Made?
Acrylic fiber starts as a liquid polymer solution. The liquid is extruded to make long strands or fibers. To create the color, dye is added to the chemical solution before it is extruded. This gives the fiber a consistent color throughout. The dye or color does not sit on the surface of the fiber but goes all the way through. Think of adding food coloring to your icing for cupcakes. The icing starts out white, but when you add the food coloring and stir, the color is all the way through the icing.
CARROT vs RADISH!
Another analogy is a carrot! If you slice a carrot in half, you can see the orange color all the way through. Compare this to a radish and it becomes easier to understand. When you slice a radish, you see the red color on the outside of the radish only. The inside is white. This is the difference between a solution-dyed acrylic and a piece dyed fiber. Solution Dyed Acrylics like Sunbrella, Outdura, Tempotest and Maria Flora can keep their color longer due to the dying process before extrusion.Solution-dyed acrylic is a type of fabric or fiber that is colored by adding pigments to the acrylic polymer solution before it is extruded into fibers. This is in contrast to traditional dyeing methods where the fabric or fiber is dyed after it is already formed. Solution dyeing offers several advantages and is commonly used in the textile industry, especially for outdoor and performance fabrics. Here are some key features and benefits of solution-dyed acrylic:
Colorfastness: Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics are highly resistant to fading due to exposure to sunlight (UV radiation) and harsh environmental conditions. The color is an integral part of the fiber, making it more durable and less prone to fading compared to fabrics that are dyed after production.
Excellent UV resistance: Solution-dyed acrylic is often used in outdoor applications such as awnings, umbrellas, and outdoor furniture because it can withstand prolonged exposure to the sun without losing its color or strength.
Fade-resistant: Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics maintain their vibrant colors over time, even in challenging outdoor conditions. This makes them suitable for long-term use in both residential and commercial settings.
Water and stain resistance: Acrylic fibers inherently repel water, which helps prevent mold and mildew growth. Additionally, the solution-dying process can incorporate stain-resistant properties into the fabric.
Durability: Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics are known for their durability and resistance to wear and tear. They are less likely to fray, tear, or lose color integrity, even after repeated use and exposure to the elements.
Easy maintenance: Cleaning and maintaining solution-dyed acrylic fabrics is relatively straightforward. They can often be cleaned with mild soap and water, and the color should remain vibrant even after cleaning.
Wide range of applications: Due to their durability and colorfastness, solution-dyed acrylic fabrics are used in various applications, including outdoor cushions, boat covers, convertible car tops, and indoor upholstery.
Environmental considerations: The solution-dyeing process is considered more environmentally friendly compared to traditional dyeing methods because it typically consumes fewer resources, such as water and energy, and produces less wastewater.
What Is A Solution Dyed Polyester?
Solution-dyed polyester is a type of polyester fabric that is dyed using a unique and environmentally friendly process. In traditional dyeing processes, the color is applied to the fabric after it has been woven or knitted. However, in solution dyeing, the color is added to the polyester polymer before it is extruded into fibers. This means that the color is an inherent part of the fiber, rather than being applied to the surface.
Here are some key characteristics and benefits of solution-dyed polyester:
Colorfastness: Solution-dyed polyester is exceptionally colorfast because the color is an integral part of the fiber. This means the color is resistant to fading, even when exposed to harsh environmental conditions like UV radiation, moisture, and chemicals.
Durability: Solution-dyed polyester is known for its durability and resistance to wear and tear. It is a popular choice for outdoor fabrics, such as awnings, umbrellas, and outdoor furniture, as it can withstand exposure to the elements.
UV Resistance: The colorfastness of solution-dyed polyester makes it an excellent choice for applications where exposure to sunlight is common. It is often used in outdoor textiles because it can resist the fading caused by UV rays.
Water and Stain Resistance: Solution-dyed polyester is inherently water-resistant, and some variations of it may also have stain-resistant properties. This makes it suitable for outdoor cushions, marine upholstery, and other applications where exposure to moisture is expected.
Eco-Friendly: Solution dyeing is considered more environmentally friendly than traditional dyeing processes because it uses less water, energy, and chemicals. It also produces less wastewater and has a lower environmental impact.
Vibrant Colors: The process allows for the creation of vibrant and long-lasting colors, making it suitable for a wide range of applications where color quality is essential.
Fade Resistance: Solution-dyed polyester fabrics maintain their color intensity over time, making them ideal for applications where aesthetics are crucial.
Common uses of solution-dyed polyester include outdoor furniture cushions, boat and marine upholstery, automotive interiors, awnings, umbrellas, and other products that require durable and colorfast materials. It is also used in the manufacture of carpets and rugs.
Overall, solution-dyed polyester offers a combination of durability, colorfastness, and eco-friendliness that makes it a popular choice for various applications, especially those that require resistance to outdoor elements.
Can you match the outdoor fabric on my existing outdoor furniture cushions?
If the manufacturer of your patio furniture used outdoor fabric from the fabric manufacturers stock fabric collection, then many times we can match your existing fabric of your current outdoor furniture cushions. However many manufacturers have exclusive fabrics made just for them. These exclusive fabrics must be purchased directly from the company that made your outdoor furniture. We only purchase outdoor fabrics that are from stock collections.
We offer the entire Sunbrella Outdoor Fabric STOCK collection as well as The Sunbrella Fusion Collection. These fabrics are available as cut yardage and stocked through authorized Sunbrella fabric distributors.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER FREE SUNBRELLA FABRIC SWATCHES FOR OUTDOOR FURNITURE CUSHIONS AND PILLOWS
Here are some handy PDF's of the Sunbrella Outdoor Fabric Collection. Feel free to view, print and save.
Outdura is another brand of solution dyed acrylic that we offer. Their stock collection is called Ovation 3, Ovation 4 and soon Ovation 5. Outdura fabrics are made in the USA and purchased by the yard through authorized Outdura fabric distributers.
Outdura fabrics are made from 100% solution-dyed acrylic ensuring outstanding technical properties regarding light and colorfastness, UV resistance and durability. Produced with pride in North Carolina, made with the highest quality standards in the industry and backed by our 10-year warranty, Outdura fabrics will remain brilliant and beautiful for years of enjoyment.
The quality of the fiber used to make a fabric is crucial in terms of fading resistance. Our fabrics are made from 100% solution-dyed branded acrylic. This means that the color pigments go all the way into the fiber (similar to the carrot shown on the right), not just on the surface of the fiber (like you see with cucumber). This gives the fabrics a superior color fastness and makes the colors shine for a longer period of time.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER FREE OUTDURA FABRIC SWATCHES FOR OUTDOOR FURNITURE CUSHIONS AND PILLOWS
Here are some handy PDF's of the Outdura Outdoor Fabric Collection. Feel free to view, print and save.
Can I provide my own outdoor fabric for my custom outdoor cushions?
Yes you can. We call this COM fabric or Customers Own Material. Many times customers choose to buy their outdoor fabrics from a specialty distributor such as Thibault, Perennials, Schumacher, to name a few. Just make sure you bring enough fabric for your project. Contact us and we can help you determine how much fabric to order. for your outdoor furniture cushions and pillow project. We can assist with the fabric requirement. If you are shipping your COM fabric direct to us, make sure the fabric has your name as a side mark. It's important that you contact us to let us know the fabric is shipping direct to us.
Should I bring or send my old cushions to use as a pattern? (If you live in North Texas)
YES - that is the best way to make sure we make your new outdoor patio furniture cushions are the correct size and shape. If you dont have any cushions on your patio furniture, take photos of your patio chairs and we can discuss how to measure and what kind of cushion will look best on your frame.
If you are local in the Dallas, Fort Worth metroplex, please bring your patio furniture cushions to our warehouse showroom. We don’t need ALL the cushions. Just one of each size. For example if your sofa takes the same cushions as your club chair, then just bring one club chair seat and one club chair back. OR, if your sofa has a distinctive, right, center, left configuration, then we will need all 6 pieces. If you have any questions about this, please let us know. We can walk you through it. Worse case, if you bring all the cushions and we don’t need all of them, you can take them back home
If you are outside of Texas, please check with us first regarding your custom cushion project. We might have the pattern or we can easily have you measure to create a new replacement cushion. If we absolutely need the old cushion to use as a pattern, then open up the cushion, remove the foam and fiber, tag the cushion with your name, phone and if this is a seat or back, (a general description) make sure to include detailed contact information inside the box.
Do I have to leave my old outdoor patio furniture cushions behind?
Yes. We use your old cushions to use as a pattern. The old cushion will be disassembled and the pattern pieces will be placed on top of the new fabric to cut and sew a new replacement cushion. WE DO NOT RETURN OLD CUSHIONS. They will be put in the trash after completion.
BYE BYE OLD PATIO FURNITURE CUSHIONS!
What if I don’t have the original cushions that came with the furniture?
Don’t worry. We can help you measure your furniture to build a new replacement cushion. First, send us a picture of your furniture. We can then walk you through the measuring process. If you live in the Dallas or North Texas area, feel free to bring your furniture frame to our warehouse showroom. We are happy to measure and discuss cushion style and design with you in person.
Can you just recover my old outdoor patio furniture cushions and use the old foam?
To put it simply - NO NO NO NO NO
We NEVER recover old cushion foam. It’s dirty, full of “gross stuff” and unsanitary to work with.
The custom cushion quote we give you includes new foam and fiber as well as fabric and labor. YUCK!!!!!
Squirrels ate my cushions, can you just repair the holes in the fabric?
Did we mention that the little darlings are on the Chair Care Patio payroll? Just kidding! Starting around Februrary, North Texas squirrels start building new nests for the upcoming baby squirrel extravaganza about to begin. They love love love the loose fiber in patio furniture cushions. They begin to rip your patio cushions to shreds and haul off this fluffy cozy foam to make sure there little ones are cozy and warm. Unfortunately, its hard to patch a hole in a cushion. Really nothing we can do. Depending on the squirrel damage, it’s likely you’ll need to make a complete new cushion.
How to deter Squirrels from eating and destroying your patio furniture cushions?
If we had the answer to this riddle of the outdoor cushion universe and could somehow see into the minds of squirrels for an answer to this question, we would be gazillionairs! There is no simple solution to keep squirrels from destroying your patio cushions.
We can, however, tell you what NOT to do!
DON”T put dryer sheets inside of your patio cushions. The chemicals on the dryer sheet is oiy and will stain your cushion fabric.
DON’T spray your patio cushions with any kind of critter repellent. Doesn’t work and will again leave a residue on your patio cushions. And YUCK! Who wants to sit on those toxic chemicals. If you have a critter deterent that is sold at hardware stores, spray it AROUND your furniture, not on your furniture. Also spray around your patio area to keep them away from the furntiure.
Should I cover my patio furniture to keep squirrels away?
In all honesty, those little furry beasties are pretty sneaky and can easily shimmy up under the cover and have a nice lovely afternoon protected from the elements to munch away at your patio cushions. You can cover if you like, but if the Mr. Squirrely is desperate, he or she will find a way. As the owner of Chair Care Patio, I can say that I have never had squirrel damage to any of my cushions. I also have several bird feeders going and the squirrels seem more interested in the bird seed that cushion destruction. Just a thought.
Do you only make patio furntiure replacement cushions for certain manufacturers?
Heck no! We can make replacement cushions for any outdoor patio furniture manufacturer inlcuding. Agio USA, Alfresco Home, Barlow Tyrie, Brown Jordan, Castelle by Tropitone, Century Furniture, DEDON, Ebel, Gensun, Gloster, Hanamint – Alumont, Homecrest, JANUS et Cie, Jenson Outdoor, Kettler International, Kannoa. Kingsley Bate, Lane Venture, Lloyd Flanders, Mallin Casual Furniture, North Cape, OW LEE, Patio Renaissance, Pavillion Furniture. Polywood Furniture, Ratana Furniture, Seaside Casual, Summer Classics, Sunset West, Telescope, Treasure Garden, Tropitone, Winston, Woodard, Frontgate, Ballard designs, Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn to name a few. We can also make replacement cushions for outdoor patio furniture purchased at Lowes, Home Depot, Sam's Club, Costco and BJ's. Contact us with your custom cushion project and we make new replacement cushions for your outdoor patio furniture.
Too Many Samples!
We love offering free fabric swatches to our customers.
However, they are expensive to make so we have a maximum limit of 8 samples per order.
Please remove samples from the cart to make sure you get the fabrics you want.
We will only process the first 8 fabric samples regardless.