Choosing the Right Fabric for High-Traffic Seating

When it comes to outfitting high-traffic spaces, not just any upholstery fabric will do. You need materials that can stand up to staining, daily wear, frequent cleaning, and maintain a polished appearance over time. That’s where Sunbrella® Commercial Fabrics come in. Engineered for busy environments with public seating, these high-performance textiles combine lasting durability with sophisticated style, making them the top choice for professional fabricators and commercial designers.

Trivantage offers a wide selection of these fabrics, providing easy access to the trusted quality, performance, and style professionals rely on. Trivantage makes it simple to find the perfect fit for your next contract project.

What Are Contract or Commercial Fabrics?

Commercial-grade, non-residential upholstery fabric is commonly referred to as “contract fabric”, a term that gained popularity in the mid-20th century as large-scale public and corporate interiors became more common. “Contract”, in this case, refers to the contractual agreement fabricators and businesses enter into, ensuring all specialized performance features, legal codes, and standards are being met.

What Sets Sunbrella Contract Fabrics Apart?

Sunbrella Contract Fabrics are part of the broader Sunbrella family, known for creating some of the world’s most trusted performance fabrics. Specifically engineered for commercial spaces, these fabrics are designed to withstand the demands of daily use while maintaining comfort, style, and long-lasting beauty.

What truly sets Sunbrella Contract Fabrics apart is their advanced performance features: enhanced abrasion resistance, antimicrobial finishes, UV resistance, and easy cleanability, even with tough stains like ink or coffee spills. These fabrics deliver peace of mind in environments that require both durability and hygiene, such as healthcare facilities, hospitality venues, corporate offices, and public seating areas.

With Sunbrella Commercial Fabrics, you can be sure to find a style to suit virtually any design scheme, including sleek modern weaves, classic solids, bold jacquard geometrics, or soothing earth tones. Collections include chenille-style textures, linen-look wovens, heathered blends, and richly layered patterns, all curated to meet the aesthetic needs of today’s commercial interiors.

Unlike residential-grade options, these textiles meet or exceed industry standards for durability, including high double-rub counts (exceeding 100,000 in many cases) and GREENGUARD® Gold certification for low chemical emissions.

Who Uses Sunbrella Contract Fabrics?

Sunbrella Contract Fabrics are trusted by industries where both performance and appearance matter. Common users include:

• Hospitality designers creating seating for hotels, resorts, and restaurants


• Marine fabricators outfitting boat interiors and commercial vessels


• Healthcare designers specifying fabrics for clinics, hospitals, and senior living facilities


• Corporate space planners furnishing office lobbies, conference rooms, and break areas


• Upholstery shops and custom fabricators working on everything from high-end retail seating to university lounges

Anyone responsible for sourcing upholstery fabrics for public-facing, high-use areas will appreciate the resilience and easy maintenance of Sunbrella Contract materials.

Where Are Commercial and Contract Fabrics Used?

Sunbrella has been a trusted name in performance fabrics since the 1960s, originally developing solution-dyed acrylic fabrics for marine and awning applications. Over the decades, the brand expanded into the contract market, offering contract-grade fabrics that meet the demanding needs of high-traffic environments, without compromising aesthetics.

In terms of fabrication, contract fabrics are used during the upholstery phase. After being selected during the project's planning phase — often with architects, designers, or procurement teams — they are patterned, cut, sewn, and finished using the same techniques applied to other upholstery textiles.

For high-traffic areas, choosing a contract-grade fabric early in the design phase ensures the seating will hold up long after installation. From boutique hotels to upscale office spaces, their combination of style and resilience makes them a go-to option for professional designers, fabricators, and planners.

Why Pros Rely on Sunbrella Contract Fabrics

Not all fabrics are built to withstand the demands of commercial settings. Here's why Sunbrella Contract Fabrics are a smart investment:

• Superior Durability: Tested to rigorous abrasion standards, many options offer over 100,000 double rubs.


• Stain and Mildew Resistance: Sunbrella’s solution-dyed fibers and built-in performance features resist staining, mold, and mildew. That makes them particularly valuable in high-moisture or spill-prone areas like restaurants, medical offices, and boats.


• UV Protection: Sunbrella fabrics are designed to resist UV degradation, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor high-traffic seating.


• Bleach Cleanable: In environments where sanitation is critical, Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned with a bleach mixture without losing color or texture.


• Design Versatility: With rich textures, vibrant solids, and sophisticated patterns, you don’t have to sacrifice aesthetics for performance.

When durability, easy maintenance, and a high-end look are non-negotiable, Sunbrella Contract Fabrics consistently outperform standard upholstery options.

Working with Sunbrella Contract Fabrics

Sunbrella fabrics are designed for professional use and are easy to work with using standard upholstery techniques.

Best Practices: Using Sunbrella Commercial Fabrics

While Sunbrella Contract Fabrics are designed for ease of use, following these best practices during fabrication can help extend the fabric’s life and maintain its clean, professional finish over time:

Pattern and Cut Carefully: Always pattern the fabric, considering the stretch properties of woven acrylics. Use sharp shears or rotary cutters for clean edges.

Use the Right Thread and Needles: For commercial upholstery, use UV-resistant thread (like PTFE or polyester) and heavy-duty needles to handle the dense weave.

Sew with Proper Tension: Maintain proper machine tension to avoid puckering and ensure strong seams. Double-stitch seams for areas with heavy use.

Finish Edges Appropriately: Depending on the project, use seam sealants, fabric tape, or serging to prevent fraying, especially for seating exposed to moisture or heavy cleaning.

Professional Tips & Tricks

To get the most out of Sunbrella Contract Fabrics, it’s important to follow a few tried-and-true practices. These tips help ensure smooth fabrication, maintain long-term durability, and support best results in high-traffic environments:

Use a Walking Foot Sewing Machine: For thicker or multi-layer projects, a walking foot helps feed the fabric evenly and prevents shifting.

Match with Bleach-Cleanable Foam and Materials: For healthcare or hospitality projects where sanitation standards are critical, Sunbrella Contract Fabrics can be safely cleaned with a bleach solution (1:10 ratio) without damaging the fabric’s integrity or color.

Regular Cleaning: Although Sunbrella fabrics are stain-resistant, regular brushing off dirt and occasional light cleaning with mild soap and water will keep them looking their best.

Order Swatches in Advance: Before committing, order samples from Trivantage to confirm color, texture, pattern scale, and suitability for your project.

Finding the Right Contract Fabrics at Trivantage

With over 200 contract fabric options, you’re sure to find what you are looking for with Trivantage. We offer cut yardage or full rolls to meet the demands of projects both large and small. With fast nationwide shipping, a knowledgeable customer service team, and a deep inventory of upholstery tools and accessories, Trivantage is the one-stop shop for your commercial fabric needs.

Explore our full selection today and get started on your next high-traffic seating project with confidence.