Half of a reupholstery job is the fabric. It decides how the piece looks, how it wears, and a good part of what the job costs. Here is how we help clients choose, and what the trade terms you will hear actually mean.
Start with how the piece is used
A formal living-room chair that is sat in twice a month can wear almost anything, including silk blends and delicate weaves. A family-room sectional with kids and a dog needs a performance fabric: tightly woven, cleanable, rated for heavy use. A restaurant booth needs commercial-grade vinyl or fabric that survives nightly cleaning. Being honest about use is the single best way to be happy with the result for years.
What “double rubs” mean
Upholstery fabric is rated in double rubs, a lab test of abrasion. For everyday home seating, look for 15,000 or more; for heavy family use, 30,000+; commercial spaces often call for 100,000+. The number is printed on the sample card, and we check it before you commit.
What COM means
COM stands for Customer’s Own Material: you buy the fabric yourself, from any mill or showroom, and we upholster with it. Designers do this constantly, and homeowners can too. We tell you exactly how many yards your piece needs with the quote, so you order the right amount. Our fabrics page links the mills we work with, from Schumacher and Kravet to performance lines.
Samples at home beat samples in a store
Fabric changes with light. A green that looks right under showroom lighting can go gray in a north-facing room. That is why we bring samples to your home, or mail them, so you see the fabric next to your rug, your walls and your windows before anything is cut.
Leather, velvet, linen: quick guidance
Leather ages beautifully and wipes clean, and good hides last decades. Velvet is far tougher than its reputation, especially performance velvets. Linen looks relaxed and lived-in but shows wear sooner; best for lighter-use pieces. For boats and terraces, only marine-grade materials: UV-rated, mildew-resistant, with quick-dry foam.
Not sure? Send photos
Tell us about the piece and the room, and we will shortlist fabrics that fit the use and the budget, with a written quote the same business day. Get a free quote, or call 347-699-3349.