If you’re eager to create an inviting outdoor space ahead of the summer season and you want to make sure the fabric you’re choosing is waterproof and will stand the test of time, here are some top tips.
What’s the difference between waterproof and water-resistant fabric?
While water-resistant fabric generally does a good job at repelling water, only waterproof fabric has the ability to completely prevent any moisture from penetrating its surface and getting into the threads.
As this Ideal Home article shows, even something as simple as an outdoor rug can refresh your outside space. Therefore, it’s important to choose fabrics that will stand the test of time and only waterproof fabric is suitable for prolonged exposure to moisture.
Determining whether a material is waterproof
It isn’t always easy to tell by looking at a fabric whether it’s waterproof or water-resistant. When shopping for waterproof outdoor fabric, it’s important to buy from a trusted source such as https://extex.co.uk/fabric-collections/ that will ensure that all fabrics are appropriately labelled as waterproof or water-resistant. But if you’re not sure, there are also a few simple waterproof tests you can try.
One of the simplest tests involves placing a few droplets of water onto the fabric. On waterproof fabrics, the droplets will bead and roll off. While some of the droplets may also roll off water-resistant fabrics, it’s likely that some moisture will be absorbed into the fabric.
You could also try running a piece of the fabric you want to test under running water. After a few minutes, if the fabric continues to repel the water, it’s likely to be waterproof. However, if the fabric absorbs any of the water, it’s not fully waterproof.
Another test involves determining whether the fabric can properly permit moisture to escape, which is something that all waterproof fabrics should be able to do. Hold the fabric to your mouth and see if it’s possible to blow air through it. If you can feel air passing through, it’s got an appropriate level of breathability and will prevent the build-up of moisture underneath it.