Sunbrella vs olefin vs polyester: which outdoor cushion fabric should you buy?
Nearly every outdoor cushion sold in the UK is one of three fabrics. They look similar on the shelf and behave completely differently by August.
The comparison
| Sunbrella® (solution-dyed acrylic) | Olefin (solution-dyed polypropylene) | Polyester (printed or piece-dyed) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fade resistance | Excellent; 5-year warranty | Good; 2-3 year warranties common | Poor; visible within one summer |
| Rain | Water-repellent, breathable, dries fast | Does not absorb water; dries fast | Soaks through; depends entirely on coating |
| Bleach cleanable | Yes | Usually | No |
| Mildew | Resistant | Resistant | Prone once the coating wears |
| Feel | Soft, canvas-like | Slightly slick, plasticky when cheap | Varies; often soft when new |
| Heat | Stable | Melts at lower temperature; keep away from fire pits | Stable |
| Oil stains | Needs degreaser | Repels oils well | Absorbs |
| Price, 45×45 cushion | €30-45 | €18-30 | €8-18 |
| Realistic life, UK | 7-10 years | 3-5 years | 1-2 years |
Choose Sunbrella when
You want the colour to stay, the cushions live outside most of the year, you have children or a dog and will need to bleach them, and you would rather buy once. It is the only one of the three we sew. Fabric details in what is Sunbrella fabric.
Choose olefin when
Budget is tight but you still want solution-dyed colour, the cushions are stored in winter, and they are nowhere near a barbecue or fire pit. Olefin is a reasonable middle ground and a big step up from printed polyester.
Choose polyester when
The cushions are for one season, a rental, or a party, and you accept replacing them. Printed polyester gives the widest choice of patterns at the lowest price and that is its honest use case.
Turn the fabric over. Same colour on the back: acrylic or olefin, will last. White on the back: polyester, one summer.
The filling matters as much
A Sunbrella cover over a block of cheap foam still goes mouldy. Look for hollow fibre or reticulated quick-dry foam in a water-permeable inner cover. Why, in outdoor cushion filling. The cost over the years is worked out in cheap vs quality outdoor cushions.
158 Sunbrella® colours in 45×45, filling included, shipped next working day. Browse the collection or ask about made to measure.
