The range of contract fabric and upholstery options available from PlanIt Contract Furniture is extensive – we can literally offer you thousands of colours, styles and materials to choose from; all manufactured to the highest standards. To help you choose which fabric option is right for you we’ve summarised the benefits of each below.
We can also provide custom upholsteries to your specifications – so there really is no limit to what can be achieved. As well as our range of contract fabrics, don't forget that we also offer a wide range of contract wood finishes. Call us on 0845 43 0 43 43 and we’ll help you make the perfect choice or contact us for more details.
Chenille
Chenille is a heavily textured soft cotton or synthetic cloth of a classical and traditional styling. It is generally specialist ‘dry clean only’ which may make it less suited to high use areas.
Faux suede
Faux suede is a practical alternative to suede made from 100% polyester. It has excellent stain removal properties, is anti-fungal and waterproof and is available in a wide range of colours.
Microfibre
Microfibre is a shrink-resistant and durable cloth that is also soft, lightweight and warm. The waterproof membrane on microfiber is breathable, anti-microbial and anti-fungal, preventing spills from penetrating the fabric and allowing them to be easily wiped away. Microfibre is also available in a wide range of colours.
Tapestry
Tapestry is a heavy flat weave fabric with no pile that is ideally suited to contract furniture in traditional settings.
Velvet
Velvet is a tufted fabric with a soft dense pile giving it a luxury feel. It is available in a full spectrum of rich shades and is perfect for creating that glamorously decadent look. Velvet is also ideally suited to high-wear areas as it is highly durable and inexpensive.
Faux leather
Faux leather is hard-wearing, offering a similar look to real leather but is a relatively cheap alternative to real leather. Faux leather is highly practical for contract furniture as it is difficult to mark or stain and easy to wipe clean.
Vinyl
Vinyl, also known as leathercloth, is a popular choice for contract furniture as it is suitable for a wide range of applications and is available in a large choice of colours. Vinyl is also inexpensive and easy to clean (wipeable) with a high tolerance to staining, is non-absorbent and highly durable. Vinyl is also flame retardant and some ranges are anti-bacterial.
Leather
Real leather, the premium choice, is an entirely natural product that’s warm, breathes and has individual characteristics which make up its inherent charm. Leather is extremely durable, highly comfortable and will maintain its suppleness during its lifetime.
There are many different types of leather, each with its own distinct characteristics. Take a look through the below list to help you to decide which is best suited to your needs. All our contract leathers are suitable for contract applications and are resistant to ignition source 5 in section 4 of BS5852: 1990
Aniline leather
Made from the best quality skins, these leathers have a natural velvety soft finish. The luxurious, tactile feel, due to use of dyes in the finishing process, results in a cooler and softer seat.
Bicast leather
Produced from the lower split of a hide, bicast leather has a film of coloured polyurethane bonded over the surface of the hide. This type of leather may be more easily scratched and difficult to repair.
Corrected grain
Correct grain leather is a uniform coloured leather, achieved through the application of a surface pigment and embossing of the leather with an artificial grain print. The resulting leather has less blemishes and imperfections.
Nubuck
Nubuck is an aniline leather which has its grain surface brushed to give it a velvety texture. It is more absorbent than other aniline leathers and therefore more prone to staining and requires a higher level of maintenance and care.
Pull up or waxy leather
This is a type of semi-aniline leather that has had oils or waxes applied to its finish coat to give it a ‘distressed’ look. Pull up leather will continue to look more distressed over time and blemishes and imperfections will be more obvious, and with heavy use lighter areas will appear on seat cushions and chair arms. Although it scratches easily, scratches may be smoothed away by moving the oils and waxes around by hand.
Rub off
Is a variety of pigmented leather where the surface is made more attractive by the application of a contrasting top coat which can be partially removed (rubbed off) to reveal the underlying colour. The effect relies on a very thin top layer, which will have more limited durability and the leather will be subject to colour change in use.
Semi Aniline
Is a lightly buffed, pull up leather finished with a blend of oils and waxes, to achieve a cracked and distressed finish.
Corrected Grain
Has been produced with a pigmented topcoat and embossed with an attractive grain pattern.
Pigmented Leather
Has a soft smooth handle and has been enhanced with a slightly darker topcoat to the grain tips to give a subtle contrast more evident in the ligther colours, thus two tone effect being more distressed on the tipping.
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