Sunbrella Fabric Checklist: How to Choose Performance Fabric for Hammocks, Covers and Custom Upholstery

Here's the scenario I deal with more than I should: a client calls on Thursday afternoon, needs 100 yards of outdoor fabric by Tuesday, and hasn't thought about seam strength, back coating, or whether the material can actually handle the job. In my role coordinating custom fabric orders at a specialty awning and upholstery shop, I've triaged hundreds of rush jobs. This is the checklist I use when I'm deciding whether a fabric will make it out the door—or come back to bite us.

This is not a generic 'choose the best fabric' article. It's a practical list for anyone specifying Sunbrella, or a similar performance fabric, for a project like a sunbrella fabric hammock, custom marine cushions, or a washable pet cover. It works for standard orders too, but it's especially useful when the deadline is tight and you can't afford a material failure.

Step 1: Match the base fiber to the environment

Before you look at color, check the fiber. Sunbrella's main material is solution-dyed acrylic. That means the pigment is embedded in the fiber, so it resists fading better than a fabric printed on top. That's why it's a solid choice for outdoor cushions, awnings, marine canvas, and hammocks that sit in full sun.

But here's the nuance: not everything with 'performance' in the name is the same. A polyester fabric and elastane blend can be comfortable, stretchy, and inexpensive. However, elastane breaks down under UV exposure and heat. If you are making a sunbrella fabric hammock that will stay outside for months, a polyester/elastane sling will probably lose tension and look baggy by the end of the season. Use solution-dyed acrylic for the hammock body.

Step 2: Check the structural support and webbing

After the fabric, ask how it will be held up. Hammocks are a structural project. The bed and the straps at both ends share the load. For a hammock, don't use decorative trim or ordinary ribbon as the end channel. You want heavy duty webbing with a listed break strength. Some brands call it 'reinforcement webbing.' Ask for the tensile spec.

I get questions about heavy duty elastic webbing a lot. It has a place: duvet cover corner straps, sofa cushion retainer straps, patio furniture replacement lacing, even a hammock ridgeline if you want a little flex. But it is not a substitute for static, load-bearing webbing in a hammock suspension. Elastic fatigues over time, and when it goes, it goes quickly.

Step 3: Test the cleanability with the actual mess

People ask about the best pet hair resistant duvet cover all the time. I'll be honest with you: it's probably not Sunbrella. Sunbrella is durable and machine-washable, but it's heavy and not ideal for bedding. The best pet hair resistant duvet cover I've used is a tightly woven performance polyester or microfiber with a smooth face. The weave is so tight that pet hair doesn't sink in, and it releases everything in the dryer.

Here's something vendors won't tell you: pet hair resistance is more about the weave and finish than the brand or fiber name. A smooth, high-count polyester duvet cover can outperform a premium fabric if the weave is loose enough to trap fur. If you insist on using Sunbrella for a duvet cover, treat it as a washable throw or a pet-protector layer over the actual duvet, not as the entire cover.

Step 4: Look at the backing before you order

This is the step most people skip. The same fabric style can come with different backings. Some Sunbrella styles have an acrylic back coating that improves water resistance and dimensional stability. Others are uncoated for breathability.

If you're making a sunbrella fabric hammock, a heavy coating can trap heat and make the hammock uncomfortable. If you're making outdoor cushion covers, a coated back might be a benefit. For a duvet or indoor throw, you want the uncoated version. Don't order by color alone—ask for the full spec sheet.

If you're looking at the Sunbrella Pendleton fabric collection, remember that the decorative pattern is still on a performance acrylic base. Patterned fabric usually needs extra yardage for pattern matching, and that's easy to miss when you're in a hurry.

Step 5: Order a seam sample, not just a swatch

A swatch tells you color. A seam sample tells you whether the fabric will hold up when you sew it, flip it, and put weight on it. This is the first thing people skip on a tight timeline.

In March 2024, a client called about a large hammock installation for a resort. We had 48 hours to find a replacement fabric after the original order arrived with a defect. The replacement candidate looked perfect on the color card, but the seam test failed—the threads pulled through the weave when we sewed on a heavy strap. We found another material, paid $600 extra in rush fees, and made the deadline. The alternative was a $40,000 penalty for a missed opening event. That's why I always order a seam sample before committing to a large run.

Step 6: Verify care, warranty, and stock

Fabric specs change. A style that was available last year might not be in stock in the same dye lot. Before you order, get written confirmation from your supplier. Ask: Is it in stock? How much is available in the same dye lot? What is the return policy if there's a defect?

Also, read the care guide for the exact collection. According to Sunbrella's care page (sunbrella.com, accessed 2025), most Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned with mild soap and water, and stubborn stains may need a diluted bleach solution. But that doesn't automatically apply to every trim or thread. If you're adding heavy duty elastic webbing to a duvet cover, the cover may be machine-washable, but the elastic may not handle hot water or a hot dryer.

Step 7: Build in a buffer and a plan B

Last thing: time. In my world, 'standard turnaround' is an estimate, not a promise. A rush order with no buffer is a gamble. If everything goes perfectly, you'll be fine. But fabric orders don't always go perfectly.

The mistake I see is the 'budget vendor' choice. A client saves $200 on the base fabric but doesn't discover until later that the fabric is backordered or the lot has changed. Then they pay $700 in rush shipping and re-stitching. I've made similar mistakes earlier in my career. I now build in a 48-hour buffer for any deadline-critical project.

The value of guaranteed turnaround isn't only the speed. It's the certainty. For event work or resort installations, knowing you'll hit the date matters more than a small difference in material cost.

Final thought: use honesty as your filter

I'm not going to tell you Sunbrella is the answer for every project. It's durable, sun-resistant, and cleanable. It's fantastic for outdoor furniture, hammocks, and marine canvas. But it's not a bedsheet, and it's not a stretch fabric. For a pet hair resistant duvet cover, a tightly woven polyester will probably be lighter, cheaper, and easier to care for.

My experience is based on about 300 custom-fabric orders over eight years in the U.S. market, mostly mid-size runs between 25 and 500 yards. If you're working with a different scale or a different climate, your requirements will be different. Use this checklist as a starting point—get the spec, test the seam, confirm the stock, and don't skip the backup plan.