Like most Aussies, you probably love making the most of the warm, sunny weather every summer. Whether you own a swimming pool or hit the beach, the right poolside chairs can make a big difference in comfort and enjoyment. Investing in a pool bean bag or outdoor bean bag by Bean Bags R Us is a smart move, but it’s also important to understand the differences between the most popular outdoor fabrics. In this post, we’ll compare two leading options: Olefin and the well-known solution-dyed acrylic fabric, Sunbrella. So, who wins in the Olefin vs Sunbrella fabric debate? And where can you find the best outdoor bean bag chairs?
Exposure to the Elements: How Outdoor Fabrics Perform
Most fabrics don’t hold up well outdoors. Materials like cotton and nylon fade quickly from UV rays, saltwater, and chlorine. After investing in outdoor pool chairs or furniture, you want them to look great for years. To achieve this, avoid fabrics like nylon and canvas and choose materials specifically designed for outdoor use. These specialized fabrics resist fading and deterioration, maintaining vibrant colours and patterns much longer. In contrast, standard fabrics can quickly become bleached, thin, and worn, leading to tearing and damage.
Modern Technologies in Outdoor Fabrics
Historically, cotton was the go-to material for outdoor use, but it faded and wore out quickly. The development of new fibres and materials in the mid-20th century transformed outdoor furniture, offering improved strength, durability, and colourfastness.
What to Look for in Quality Outdoor Furniture
When shopping for outdoor bean bags and furniture, look for these fabric properties:
- UV resistance
- Colourfastness and fade resistance
- Water resistance
- Durability
- Comfort
- Stain resistance
- Style and appearance
- Eco-friendliness
- Resistance to mildew, insects, and chemicals
- Ease of maintenance and cleaning
The Importance of Solution-Dyed Fabric
Another key factor is how outdoor fabrics are dyed. Affordable materials like nylon and polyester are piece-dyed, meaning only the surface is coloured. Solution-dyed fabrics, however, have fibres dyed all the way through, making them much more resistant to UV rays, chlorine, and saltwater, and helping them maintain their style and appeal for longer.
Sunbrella: The Leading Solution-Dyed Acrylic Fabric
For decades, Sunbrella has been the top choice for outdoor furniture. Sunbrella is the brand name for the most popular solution-dyed acrylic fabric, used in everything from awnings to outdoor bean bags. Developed in the 1960s by Glen Raven, Sunbrella set the standard for durable, colourfast outdoor fabrics.
How Sunbrella Fabric is Made
Sunbrella is made from acrylic, a synthetic fabric created from polyacrylonitrile. Acrylic is soft, mildew-resistant, cool in direct sunlight, and quick-drying. Solution dyeing adds colour to the chemical solution before it’s spun into fibres, resulting in exceptional colourfastness and durability.
Benefits of Sunbrella
- Fade-resistant: Withstands up to 1,500 hours of sun before fading.
- Water-resistant: Not fully waterproof, but resists moisture well.
- Mildew resistant: Its water resistance helps prevent mildew.
- Comfortable: Softer than canvas and polyester.
- Cool: Remains cool even in direct sunlight.
- Durable: Strong and resilient thanks to its unique chemical process.
- Stylish: Available in a wide range of colours and patterns.
Drawbacks of Sunbrella
Sunbrella is the most expensive outdoor fabric, and products made from it are pricier. It’s not as soft as Olefin, can transmit static electricity, and is not as eco-friendly or recyclable as some alternatives.
Olefin: Eco-Friendly and Affordable Outdoor Fabric
Olefin, made from polypropylene fibre, was developed in 1957 by Italian chemist Giulio Natta. The process upcycles a byproduct of oil production, making Olefin an environmentally friendly choice. It’s used in many pool and outdoor bean bags by Bean Bags R Us.
How Olefin Fabric is Made
Polypropylene is derived from propylene gas, a byproduct of oil and ethylene production. The gas is polymerized into beads, melted, and spun into thread. Solution-based dyes are added during melting, resulting in highly colourfast and stain-resistant fabric.
Benefits of Olefin
- Affordable: Less expensive to produce than Sunbrella.
- Eco-friendly: Upcycles waste, uses no land or water, and is highly recyclable.
- Comfortable: Soft, smooth, and does not transmit static charges.
- Water-resistant: Wicks away moisture and dries quickly.
- Durable: Highly resistant to abrasion.
- Colourfast: Solution-dyed for long-lasting colour.
- Versatile: Available in many colours and patterns.
- Resistant to mildew, chemicals, and insects; easy to clean.
Drawbacks of Olefin
Olefin is sensitive to heat and can melt at high temperatures, so it should be air-dried. It’s naturally sensitive to sunlight, but UV inhibitors are added during processing.
Olefin vs Sunbrella: Which is Best?
- Durability: Olefin is more abrasion-resistant.
- Water-resistance: Sunbrella is slightly more water-resistant, but Olefin wears better over time.
- Style: Both offer a wide range of colours and patterns.
- UV and fade resistance: Both are highly fade-resistant due to solution dyeing.
- Eco-friendliness: Olefin is more sustainable and recyclable.
- Comfort: Both are comfortable, but Olefin doesn’t transmit static.
- Stain resistance: Both are highly stain-resistant.
- Maintenance: Both are easy to clean, but Olefin should be air-dried.
Bean Bags R Us: Premium Olefin and Sunbrella Outdoor Bean Bags
Bean Bags R Us offers a wide range of outdoor and pool bean bags made from Olefin and solution-dyed acrylics. For poolside comfort and durability, our Portsea Premium bean bag pool float (featuring Olefin) is a standout. Our Copacabana and Costa Luxe outdoor bean bags are also top choices. Both Sunbrella and Olefin are reliable for outdoor furniture, but Olefin stands out for its affordability, comfort, eco-friendliness, and water resistance.
