Sunbrella Cushions
Sunbrella cushions are some of the best you can buy for your patio furniture. They have a great reputation and for good reason. The secret is in the fabric itself which makes the patio cushions withstand the rigors of constant use in your garden.
Sunbrella Fabric
The fabric used in Sunbrella seat cushions is particularly suited to outdoors. It is made from acrylic, which has been solution dyed. This means that the dye is added while the fabric is still in liquid form and it therefore permeates the fibers to a much greater degree. As a result, Sunbrella fabrics are so resistant to fading in the sun and rain that they are used for all kinds of tough jobs such as patio awnings and even convertible car tops. Although you can order Sunbrella outdoor fabric by the yard on a number of web sites, when you are looking for outdoor cushions you will probably buy these already covered in the fabric or you can choose to go the custom route and buy your seat cushions to order.
Outdoor Patio Dining Chair Cushion Pad Sunbrella (CLICK IMAGE FOR DETAILS)
Other Reasons to Choose
Apart from being resistant to fading, Sunbrella fabric cushions are also treated with a fluorocarbon finish which is water repellent. This means that it does not matter if your cushions get soaked in a sudden down pour and you can also leave them outside all summer if you prefer, although all cushions benefit from being stored away from the elements when not in use. This finish gives them a certain degree of stain and mildew resistance too, although any spills and spots should be cleaned as soon as they occur to keep your cushions looking good.
Care of Sunbrella Patio Cushions
A little maintenance can keep your Sunbrella chair cushions looking great throughout the season. All you need to do is hose them down with clean water ever month or so and make sure any stains and spots are taken care of. Use the gentlest treatment you can to remove each stain.
A Selection of Sunbrella Patio Cushions (CLICK IMAGE FOR DETAILS)
There is help on this on the Sunbrella website. When more thorough cleaning is necessary, check the label of your cushions. Many Sunbrella cushion covers can be removed for washing in the washing machine but you should wash on a cool or lukewarm cycle and use soap flakes rather than detergent. If you prefer you can clean your cushions while still on your furniture with a soap solution and a soft bristle brush. This is how you can clean sun umbrellas and awnings too. Make sure to rinse the fabric thoroughly and to air dry it as Sunbrella fabric should never be subjected to the extreme heat of a tumble dryer. After any thorough cleaning (as opposed to hosing down) Sunbrella outdoor cushions should be treated with two applications of a water repellent spray such as 303 High Tech Fabric Guard to keep them water resistant.
All Types of Furniture Cushions
You can get every type of cushion with this fabric from Sunbrella chaise cushions to throw pillows to decorate your outdoor furniture. Consider Sunbrella for indoor furniture too. They are especially appropriate in a conservatory or sun room where fabrics may be subject to a lot of fading.
Where to Buy
You can buy Sunbrella cushions at garden centers, which sell patio furniture or look for them online. You will find a good selection of Sunbrella cushions for sale HERE, everything from bench cushions, steamer chair cushions to decorative outdoor pillows. Many of the cushions here have good discounts and often free shipping (which can mount up on items which are big and bulky like patio cushions, so watch out for that).
Replacement Patio Cushion Covers
If the inner foam of your patio cushions seems to be in good condition you might be thinking about buying replacement patio cushion covers rather than a whole new set of outdoor cushions. A few people have asked me about this and it certainly makes sense in my mind (especially in these days when we are all so aware of global warming and the economic crisis) not to throw everything away and start again.
You do need to check the viability of such a purchase however and here are a few things to think about.
First of all check that your foam inner cushion is truly in good condition (and not ready to fall to pieces as soon as you get your replacement covers).
How do you tell?
Basically if the foam still feels soft to the touch, is comfortable to sit on and springs back after use then it is fine. But do check that the foam is not starting to degrade with bits chipping and flaking off as this is a sign that it will need replacing soon.
Navy Blue Chaise Lounge Cushion (Click Image for Details)
Maybe there is not enough demand for them because customers worry that if they buy covers their existing pads will not fit. (If the new covers do not fit the old pads precisely then your cushions will never look good.) Or perhaps most buyers leave it too long to replace their patio cushions and the foam inner part needs to replaced too in more cases than not.
If you can’t find ready made patio chair cushion covers by searching around, there is one route that you might take and that is to have custom cushion covers made either via a web site or get a local seamstress to make some cushions for you. In this way you can choose whatever outdoor fabric you like and have cushions made to your own specification.
If you do this, be careful that you don’t end up spending more on your replacement patio seat cushion covers than you would have done on whole cushions complete with foam inner pad.
If you are handy with a needle then you can make your own replacement covers, of course, but be aware that outdoor fabric is not easy to sew and that you need to ensure that you match the precise shape and size of your cushions, fortifying all seams well enough that the cushions hold together with constant use. A project to make patio cushion covers is really not for a beginner.
Outdoor Patio Cushions In Every Color
With a patio being the focal point of most gardens and the place where you will probably spend most time relaxing outside, it makes sense to take care when choosing the most visible element there : the outdoor patio cushions which will add comfort and color to your garden furniture.
The color choice for your patio cushions is one of the most important criteria in your selection and the one thing which you will have most choice in. Outdoor cushions may be piped or not, with buttons or not but for the most part they don’t vary much in basic design. However, the color and pattern of the fabric does vary and, in fact, you might find so much variation that you might feel a bit lost.
Natural Patio Cushions
Having said that color is most important in your choice of an outdoor patio cushion does not mean that it has to be loud or over the top. If you would like a classic or colonial type garden with lots of natural wood furniture and leafy green plants then your patio will suit subtle coloring in cushions too. But there are plenty of cream, natural green, beige and rust colors available to provide the look you need.
Bright Patio Cushions
If you are planning a tropical or poolside patio then seek out bright outdoor patio chair cushions. Nothing suits the bright turquoise blue of a swimming pool more than a tropical print. Look for beautiful designs in lime green, fuchsia pink and bright blue. If palm tree and parrot designs are not your thing, you will get many bright striped and plaid cushions or even bright plain shades which will probably suit your taste better.
Pastel Patio Cushions
If you have a patio furniture set in white painted wicker or wrought iron reminsent of Victorian gardens where the butler served tea on the lawn, then you will find pale pastel colored cushions will be an excellent match for your garden style. You will find outdoor patio furniture cushions in plain ice cream shades as well as subtle patterns in pale colors.
Black and White Patio Cushions (Click Image for Details)
If none of these styles apply, don’t worry, you can still have a wonderful patio. Most garden furniture is traditional in style and therefore will suit cushions in classic fabrics : think spotty, striped, plaid or paisley designs to name just four examples. The main thing when buying outdoor patio replacement cushions for classic furniture is to think how you can pull the look together using the fabric to give your patio a unique edge. Will you be able to pick out colors in the fabric and use them for other accessories such as a throw or scatter cushions? And is the color classic enough that you will be able to find it in other items? With a color like black, red or navy blue this will be easy but it may not be the case with a particular shade of mustard yellow or sage green. Definitely something to consider when picking out colors for your outdoor patio cushions.
The Best Patio Chair Cushions
What makes a great patio chair cushion? Is it the color and design? Is it the way the cushion is made? Or is it the choice of fabric? Actually it is a combination of all three which makes one set of patio chair cushions stand head and shoulders above the rest of the pack.
Color And Design
The color and design of the cushions is the first thing we see as a rule when we come across an arrangement of garden furniture unless the furniture itself is exceptionally good (or exceptionally bad!) So when you are looking for outdoor patio chair cushions always take your time to choose a color and design that will portray the look you want for your patio. Too many of us choose a color that “will do” and not one which has an obvious look to it. For example, you could decide to give your patio a bold look with lime green patio cushions, a nautical look with navy blue stripes or a retro look with orange and pink swirls. Why make do with a dull pattern when you can make a statement by just being a bit different in the choice of design or color. Down with boring patio chair replacement cushions!
Bold Striped Patio Cushions (Click Image for Details)
If you have cushions which fall apart with a little heavy use then your patio is not going to look good for long no matter what choice you have made with the design. The thing is patio chair seat cushions in particular take a lot of punishment in use. The inner foam material needs to be soft enough that it feels comfortable, yet firm enough that it springs back into shape when you get out of your chair. The seams need to be so well constructed that the foam stays firmly encased in the cushion cover and they do not burst. This usually means that they need to be reinforced in some way with extra stitching and/or piping around the edges. Zip fasteners used should be strong rather than flimsy.
Fabric
The fabric for patio furniture chair cushions needs to be equally strong and robust, able to withstand wear and tear as well as sitting in the hot sun and getting damp at times when caught in a shower. For this reasons special outdoor fabric should always be used in cushions for patio chairs. You simply cannot use normal fabric and expect your patio cushions to last any length of time. Outdoor fabric such as Sunbrella often used for outdoor cushions is fade resistant as well as waterproof and the best patio chair cushions are specially coated so that the fabric feels soft to the skin as well as being waterproof.
Patio Cushions : Fabric Choices
Which fabric is the best for patio cushions? It depends on many factors such as
- How much wear your patio furniture cushions will get. Are they for every day or occasional use?
- Whether the fabric needs to be waterproof. Some fabrics are OK to be used by a pool or can be left out in the occasional shower. But note that most patio chair cushions last better if they do not to get a repeated soaking. Waterproof fabric is mildew and mold resistant but they can’t protect against it completely
- Patio cushion covers ought to be coated so that they are stain resistant. If they do not have this it is a good idea to use a protectant spray yourself.
- If the cushions are going to be in full sun for a good part of the year, fabric needs to be UV (fade) resistant
- How comfortable you want the fabric to feel against your skin – some patio cushion fabrics feel rougher than others
- Your budget – some fabrics are more expensive than others
Patio cushions are commonly made from the following outdoor fabrics :-
Acrylic
Acrylic is durable and strong fabric that is designed for outdoor use. It is a soft cloth fabric which feels like soft canvas and it can be cleaned simply with warm water and detergent. The fabric resists fading, mildew and rot. Although more expensive than other fabric options acrylic fabric patio cushions are likely to outlast cheaper fabrics.
Poly/Olefin
Poly/Olefin is a synthetic fabric which is well known to resistant to fading as fiber is solution dyed before being woven into cloth. Cushions made in this fabric are also resistant to mildew and staining. Clean with warm water and mild detergent. Avoid contact with oils and lotions and wash if contact occurs to prevent staining. The material also feels like a soft canvas.
poolside patio cushions
PVC/Vinyl Coated fabric
PVC or vinyl coated fabric patio cushions have a strong polyester fiber core which is coated with PVC and woven into fabric. They are weather resistant but you should avoid prolonged contact with suntan lotion and oil which cause deterioration over the long term. (Clean after contact with these substances to avoid this). PVC coated fabric is slightly less comfortable than acrylic fabrics as the material is stiffer and they have a smooth plastic feel to them.
Spun Polyester
Spun Polyester is a 100% polyester fabric with a soft slightly silky feel. The fabric generally has an open weave construction which stays cool and comfortable. Spun Polyester is generally treated for soil and stain resistance (but check this when looking at the cushions you like). Wash with water and mild detergent then rinse.
You will find a wide range of designs in each of these fabrics for your outdoor patio cushions online so you should be able to get the right cushions for the kind of look you have in mind. Of course you can also get cheap patio cushions which do not have much resistance to fading, weather and mildew made from simple untreated cotton canvas or polyester. Cheap patio cushions will not last but they may be a good option for you if you like to change your cushions frequently.
Buying anything usually involves a compromise between cost and quality and patio cushions are no exception. Browse the many patio cushions available online and then think about what will provide the best value for you.
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