How to Spec Performance Textiles for Commercial Projects
As performance textiles become more popular for commercial projects, we have compiled helpful information for designers to better understand them and how they differ from non-woven textiles.
Image courtesy of Knoll Textiles
What Are Performance Textiles?
Performance textiles have always been workhorses when it comes to upholstery textiles, especially for healthcare. They have long been considered the standard in hospital grade fabrics. Now, they are coming to the forefront for all commercial spaces for their durability and cleanability in a recent sanitation-focused world. One thing we should get straight right away: performance fabrics do not equal non-woven textiles (which I learned through my research for this article!).
Non-woven textiles are created by pressing fibers together to create a piece of fabric; think felt, paper, or knits, which are technically looped construction, not woven with a warp and weft. Performance textiles (aka coated fabrics) are composed of layers of polymer film which creates a moisture barrier, that are then heat formed and added to a backing, which gives it strength. They come in unlimited solid colors, printed patterns, and even embossed.
Image courtesy of Mayer Fabrics
Adding a topcoat allows for various performance features. Topcoat options include, but are not limited to, stain resistance (which repels oils and water), reverse crocking (resists dye stains from denim – great for education projects), ink- or graffiti-resistance and antimicrobials (these inhibit growth of bacteria & mold – we’ll discuss this controversial coating more in a bit).
DesignTex divides topcoats into three classifications, which is a helpful guideline for project type:
No added protective topcoat - identified in product specifications
Protective Topcoat - intended for medium-duty environments such as office, communal and similar installations.
Advanced Protective Topcoat - intended for all environments including extreme-condition installations such as healthcare.
A few common types of performance textiles include vinyls, polyurethanes, nylon microfibers, and silicones. Each has their own specific advantages, applications and associated costs.
Vinyls are made from a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) coating. These are often lowest in cost and very high in performance qualities (flexing, durability, bleach cleanability and abrasion). While the lifetime of vinyls may mean they are out of the landfill for longer, they can contain phthalates that require adding a Prop 65 label to the product. There is a movement within the industry to manufacture vinyls that do not contain phthalates, antimicrobials and flame retardants. However, plasticizers (which contain phthalates) are what make vinyls soft and pliable. Use Rep Connect to check with your local reps to see if there are vinyls available that do not contain phthalates.
Polyurethanes (PUs) are durable, and a good flexible alternative to vinyls. They are lighter and thinner than vinyl, which means they may not withstand abrasion for as long as vinyls, but they do not contain phthalates (yay!). PUs are susceptible to hydrolysis (boo!). Hydrolysis happens when heat and humidity break down the fabric structure, causing a flaking, brittle surface. When the material does not easily bounce back to its original form, the fabric may also stretch and form wrinkles or puddles. A minimal level is acceptable, but larger puddles look unattractive. The actual material, the furniture design and the backing materials can all affect the severity of this issue. One way to avoid this is by specifying the correct density of foam for the application, and keep bench seat cushion sections under 48” in length (unless you are using vinyl, which can stretch and bounce back).
Polyurethanes are manufactured with different polymers, which in turn have different performance properties:
Polycarbonates have high durability, lightfastness and resiliency; they can withstand 10 years in hydrolysis testing. They are also the most expensive option.
Polyethers have moderate durability, lightfastness and resistance to humidity, withstanding 5 years of hydrolysis testing.
Polyester-based PUs are a third option, however these have low durability, lightfastness and resistance to hydrolysis.
Nylon microfibers are comparable to vinyls in abrasion, durability, and stain resistance. They do not contain phthalates like many vinyls do. This is also a breathable fabric.
Silicones are an excellent healthier alternative to vinyl and polyurethanes. They do not contain PVC, phthalates, solvents, or added flame retardants (all harmful to our health!). They are bleach-cleanable and inherently stain-resistant & hydrolysis-resistant.
You can see puddling in this cafe’s built-in seat example | Image courtesy of Maddy Gorman
Applications
Coated fabrics are used in most types of commercial projects, for various reasons. In healthcare projects, they are used for their durability and cleanability. These fabrics are resistant to harsh cleaners and disinfectants such as bleach, alcohol, and quaternaries.
Coated fabrics are great for hospitality projects where vast color and texture selection (faux leather look for less cost than true leather) and wipeable surfaces are desired.
Workplace projects use performance fabrics for their aesthetics, durability, and ease of cleaning, and again great for faux leather aesthetics.
In educational or institutional spaces, they are great for libraries, cafeterias, and labs, as they have high performance attributes offering a variety of price points and aesthetics.
In senior living spaces, the moisture barriers are effective and often necessary. One thing to keep in mind is the slipperiness of the coated fabric you specify – if it has a rough texture, it can be difficult for a person with mobility difficulties to scoot out of a booth seat.
Cleaning
Proper cleaning and maintenance will extend the life of the textile. It’s a good idea to look at the cleaning codes on the textile specifications and inform the client about the cleaning methods required. Many people assume if something is “bleach cleanable,” it can be rubbed directly with bleach. First off, please don’t do this! Second, the product specification sheet should list the water:bleach ratio for the correct solution for cleaning.
Two very important steps are often missed in the cleaning process: RINSE with water after disinfecting, and wipe dry with a clean cloth! If a cleaner/disinfectant is left on a coated textile without wiping (after the proper amount of time sitting to disinfect), the chemicals in the cleaner can break down the fabric structure over time, resulting in excessive product wear and potential failure. Also, avoid using cleaners with abrasives, which can damage the material.
Cleaning is only removing dirt and stains. Disinfecting is what kills germs. It is essential to do both to maintain a safe environment. Coated materials manufactured specifically for healthcare are designed to withstand chlorine bleach, alcohol-based cleaners, hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners, quaternary ammonium (germicide), and phenols. For more information on cleaning and disinfecting related to commercial textiles, check out these resources from Wolf Gordon.
Image courtesy of Mayer Fabrics
Sustainability / Safety / Wellness
Antimicrobials are harmful to human health and the environment, and there is no evidence that they reduce human infection or destroy viruses. If the performance textiles are disinfected properly according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, you do not need to add antimicrobials. Textiles with Crypton or similar coatings (stain-resistant coating with moisture barrier on back) often contain antimicrobials, so keep this in mind when specifying for healthcare or senior housing where Crypton coatings are often specified. Look for Greenguard certified products, as these assure that the product meets strict chemical emissions limits, which helps improve indoor air quality.
Some designers have started asking for “naked” textiles for products like throw pillows that can be washed in a washing machine, to avoid using any added harmful chemicals. The risk here is that the textiles were likely not made for washing machines (as they are meant to have protective coatings to prevent the need for washing), so the durability and wear may not hold up to normal standard if they had a coating in the first place.
For healthcare resources that are useful in creating healthy interiors through product specification, look into Healthcare without Harm and Healthier Hospitals. The websites share resources on green cleaners, products, and more. Textile manufacturers may have resources that you can filter by specific safety and health requirements.
Unfortunately, there is not a great way to recycle performance textiles that have already been upholstered onto furniture. The best way to give them a new life would be to reuse the furniture for another project! Timeless designs using durable materials can also help with staying out of the landfill for longer.products
Tips for Specifying
According to several textile manufacturers I interviewed, there is a common misconception among designers when it comes to durability. For commercial design, interior designers often won’t look at any textiles under 100,000 double rubs (DR). This limits your options drastically. You can get away with 30,000 DR for commercial projects, and 50,000 DR is a safe bet as the durability would still hold up for a long time.
For hospitality projects, you especially don’t need a high number because fabric accessories will be changed out in a few years after they’re installed. For applications in airports and other high-traffic projects, a higher DR count would, of course, be better. Always double check double rub count (say that five times fast) with your local fabric reps to see if a textile will work for your application.
If your project timeline is long enough and you are specifying fabrics for a large quantity of seating, you can test it on a chair. This is an especially good idea for repeat clients. This way, you can get an idea for how it feels, how easily you can slide in and out of the seat, how resilient it is, and how it stretches over the furniture.
And lastly, ask your reps for their best sellers, specifically what performs best and what the installers like to work with. This can save you time and clients headaches later on!
Author
Maddy Gorman, NCIDQ | Interior Designer
Disclaimer
While we hope you find an incredible amount of value in this article, we surely haven’t been able to cover the broad swath of applications and particular circumstances that will come up on every project. We encourage and suggest that you should connect directly with your manufacturer’s rep regarding the specific specification needs of your project.
