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Updated regularly, the Trivantage Market Corner Blog spotlights new products, industry updates, and growth opportunities for you and your business.
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Much like any other industry, marine textiles have greatly improved over the years due to new technology, research, and a lot of testing. From shade tops and covers to marine upholstery, these fabrics fight against the sun, salt corrosion, and even the occasional surprise storm.
These transformations have made an incredible impact for all mariners. Not only are today’s marine textiles more protective, but they’re also much more versatile. Below, we’ll explore the journey of marine fabrics throughout history.
When sailors, scientists, and governments get together, something magical is bound to happen. That said, we’ve sailed past the days of rough canvas and are now in an age of high-tech marine fabric.
Through a lot of testing and research, we now have a much better understanding of how mother nature affects marine fabric, and how we can combat it.
Sailors used to rely on canvas and linen for sails, awnings, and boat covers. While those natural fibers were great for enhancing sustainability, it led to various challenges, including a heavy weight, excessive water absorption, and being prone to rot and mildew. Plus, the longer they stayed in the sun, the more their appearance and functionality degraded.
When materials like nylon and polyester came along, it marked a significant advancement. Modern synthetic materials, like marine vinyl and solution-dyed acrylics, are:
These advancements, along with improvements to marine accessories, have helped make what used to be a grueling journey over the seas much more comfortable and feasible in the modern age.
Marine textile innovations have absolutely revolutionized the boating industry. A few of the most notable improvements include:
The modernization of marine upholstery fabrics hasn’t just enhanced overall performance, but it has also had a positive impact on environmental sustainability. That's because these long-lasting materials (ex. solution-dyed acrylics, marine-grade vinyl, etc.) greatly reduce how often you need to replace them. As a result, they create less material waste for the landfills.
Many leading brands are putting eco-friendly manufacturing processes first. They do this by focusing more on recycled materials while minimizing the amount of water and energy they consume during the production process. Additionally, the shift towards UV-resistant and mildew-resistant fabrics means there’s less of a need for chemical treatments, which reduces the eco-footprint.
At Trivantage, we offer a wide range of marine-grade fabrics, including Sunbrella® Horizon®, Stamoid® Marine Fabric, Hydrofend®, and other top brands. These brands, and many others, deploy cutting-edge science to improve the durability, UV resistance, and aesthetics of their marine fabrics.
From bimini tops to boat upholstery, our collection of high performance fabrics includes water-resistant and waterproof options, mildew-resistant materials, plus heavy-duty canvas fabrics. Explore our extensive selection of marine fabrics today to find the perfect fit for your next project.
There may not seem like there’s a big difference between water-resistant and waterproof materials. However, each has different applications and levels of effectiveness. Whether it's for outdoor seating, awnings, or boat covers, making the right selection for your next outdoor project can have a huge impact on the durability and overall functionality of your fabrics.
Below, we’ll explain what makes these fabrics different, and how to make the right choice for your next project.
Water-resistance: These fabrics are designed to repel water. While there are many ways to achieve this level of resistance, the most common methods usually include fabrics with a tight weave or special coating. Water-resistant materials can protect against splashes and spills, while also providing some protection against rain and water droplets.
Waterproof: If a fabric is waterproof, it means it offers a 100% protective barrier. These kinds of materials are usually enhanced with waterproof coatings or made from waterproof substances, which help them handle prolonged and heavy exposure to downpours, big splashes, waves, and more.
Manufacturers and third party testers can measure the level of protection offered using certain tests. For example, the hydrostatic head test gauges the amount of water pressure a fabric can withstand before it fails (i.e., leaks). Generally, the higher the water-protection rating, the better it is at resisting water damage.
If you’re in search of the fabrics with the highest resistance levels, one of the best materials includes solution-dyed acrylics, which are offered in the Sunbrella fabric line.
These materials can be great for certain applications, and not so great for others. Before buying a water-resistant fabric, you should keep the following benefits and drawbacks in mind:
There are many benefits to using waterproof fabric for your next project. However, there are also a few disadvantages you should also be aware of:
Your project may require use of waterproof, waterproof fabrics, or both. However, each has specific use-cases.
Water-resistant fabrics are ideal for shaded areas that aren’t likely to be exposed to direct water — for example, a light mist or occasional splashes of water. That can include your everyday upholstery, casual covers, etc. Some of the best fabrics that offer water-resistant properties include:
Waterproof fabrics are ideal for areas that are likely to face heavy water exposure. This may include bimini tops and other types of enclosures that require some form of all-weather protection. A few of the best waterproof products include:
If you want to keep your enclosures, drapery, fixtures, and furniture covers in pristine condition, you’ll need to clean them regularly. In most cases, this only requires you to use mild soap and a bit of water.
If it’s particularly dirty or hasn’t been cleaned in a while, you may want to use a more powerful solution like Sunbrella Clean, 303 Fabric Guard, or IMAR Stamoid Marine Vinyl Cleaner. Otherwise, we’d advise against using harsh chemicals that will destroy or at least diminish the effectiveness of your materials. Learn basic care for both fabrics below.
Deciding between water-resistant and waterproof fabrics requires you to consider the level of water exposure, desired breathability, and your budget. At Trivantage, we offer a wide variety of high-quality fabrics that cater to all needs.
Whether you’re looking for mildew-resistant marine canvas for your boat covers, awnings, or outdoor furniture, we’ve got you covered. Check out our extensive fabric collection today.
Spring has sprung, and with warmer temperatures in the forecast, keep your customers’ boats cooler with HarborTime Edge.
This Trivantage-exclusive hybrid-coated fabric features Perfecta Marine® technology for enhanced heat reduction and reflection. This means cooler surfaces and lower interior temperatures—the perfect combination for boating enthusiasts.
Made from coated polyester, HarborTime Edge has excellent abrasion resistance and defends against UV rays, mildew, and water. Count on the fabric to excel under harsh conditions, and it is stabilized to ensure a continuous fit.
Applications include splash curtains, T-tops, Bimini covers, mooring, travel covers, and other marine uses. It meets all marine grade demands with optimal strength and colorfastness, and its double-sided coating adds an extra layer of protection and additional style option.
Fourteen diverse color palettes are available for this high-performing marine fabric. HarborTime Edge is made in the USA and comes with an industry-leading 7-year warranty.
Contact your Trivantage® sales representative for more information. You can also call us at 800-786-1876.
As a luxury outdoor furniture manufacturer in Miami, Florida, Kannoa works with interior designers and architects to design beautiful spaces for residential and commercial use. Customer service manager Claudia Mejia spoke with us about her vision for her projects and how she makes them come to life with Trivantage®.
When it comes to the latest outdoor residential design trends, Mejia noted that her customers are becoming more experimental with design — adding personality to a space that was once an afterthought in home renovation plans. This shift has been especially rewarding for Mejia: “I love designing relaxing spaces where our customers can bring something positive into their lives.”
Then, it’s just a matter of fulfillment. For projects big and small, Mejia chooses Sunbrella® as her preferred outdoor upholstery fabric brand. According to Mejia, Sunbrella upholstery fabric offers the best of both worlds: style and functionality. “It’s easy to maintain, and we love the ease of getting it through our partner, Trivantage,” she said.
When asked what makes a good supplier, Mejia listed responsiveness and ability to problem solve — which is when she brought up Christie Lewis, decorative fabrics specialist at Trivantage.
“Christie always answers our phone calls right away, even if she is traveling, and she shares a wealth of knowledge about products we can use,” Mejia said. “She brings excitement to her work, and you can feel that. If she’s ever unavailable Scott Milroy (inside sales representative) and Debbie McKeown from my Customer Care Team jump right in.”
As a member of the sales team at Kannoa, Mejia works closely with customers and suppliers like Trivantage, through which the company sources Sunbrella and Phifertex fabrics. “Trivantage goes above and beyond what you would expect,” Mejia said.
Mejia also referenced a large-scale project her team worked on for a cruise ship where Trivantage went the extra mile. “We ran into an issue with discontinued fabrics, and Trivantage worked very hard to find yardage for us,” Mejia explained. “In the end, the designer got the fabric they wanted.”
Trivantage Plus — a one-of-a-kind customer membership program custom built for you — is loaded with benefits you can’t afford to miss. From flat-rate parcel shipping and select company offers to product discounts you won’t find anywhere else, the Trivantage Plus Membership Program includes exclusive advantages designed with you in mind.
Don’t take our word for it. Ricky Collins of Collins Custom Interiors contacted us after he renewed his membership, and he is quite bullish on the program:
“This is our 2nd year of being a member of the Trivantage Plus program,” he said. “What a great program to be a part of. With rising costs across the board, it has really made bidding jobs simple — no need to check on shipping costs to add to the customers’ bid. It also helps us to be more competitive through lower fixed rates on shipping. My sales rep called after I renewed and thanked me for renewing. The first thing I said was, ‘Why would I not renew?’ as Trivantage Plus has saved me at least $45 per order on average.”
Join or renew Trivantage Plus today!
Sunbrella Horizon brings to marine upholstery the legendary performance you have come to expect from Sunbrella. It’s the first Sunbrella marine upholstery fabric made from engineered synthetic leather, and we’ve been thrilled with the outstanding feedback on its performance since its introduction. If you visited the Sunbrella booth at this month’s Miami International Boat Show, you’ve heard the exciting news that Sunbrella Horizon has been refreshed with evolving customer trends in mind.
The refreshed Sunbrella Horizon collection includes Sorrento, a striking new embossed texture that makes every seat the best seat on the boat. Sorrento pairs well with Capriccio and Textile to give any boat design a fresh, modern feel and is available in four neutral colorways—Toast, Cadet Grey, Cloud, and White. Sunbrella Horizon now features 36 marine-grade upholstery styles meticulously designed to cater to diverse tastes and design preferences, allowing you to provide a broader range of choices to your customers.
Count on Sunbrella Horizon and the supremely comfortable Sorrento to serve a variety of marine applications, including passenger seating, captain’s chairs, sunpads, and headliners. All Sunbrella Horizon fabrics are backed by a 5-year product warranty and 3-year warranty against microbial pinking. Other hallmarks of the collection include exceptional durability, ease of cleaning, and unparalleled comfort.
In addition to the four new Sorrento colorways, Sunbrella has introduced three new neutrals to its Horizon collection in the lightly pebbled Capriccio texture. Like the entire Horizon collection, these new colorways are designed to coordinate seamlessly with common gel coats and other fixtures for a cohesive look onboard. Now available in Barley, Storm, and Dover White colorways, Capriccio is more versatile than ever before.
Your Trivantage® sales representative stands ready to assist in placing your order or to answer your questions. You can also call us at 800-786-1876.
Trivantage has launched the Seamstick Taper, a convenient tool that makes it easy to apply seam tape to zippers, webbing, and trim, and the marine industry has already taken notice. The product was a hit at the 2024 Marine Fabricators Conference where it received a Supplier Spotlight as a Best New Exhibitor Product.
Designed by a fabricator, this ingenious tool makes quick work of a seam tape application, providing placement on one or both edges with no bleed over. It’s no secret that applying seam tape can be a hassle, which is why we worked with a fabricator to design this efficient tool. The Seamstick Taper ensures consistent, precise tape placement, helping fabricators improve accuracy and save valuable production time.
The Seamstick Taper works by applying ¼” seam tape to the edges of many different sizes of zippers, webbing, and trim. It’s simple to use: To apply the tape, attach the quick-switch tool block to the application, insert the zipper or trim, and pull through the taper tool for effortless seam taping.
The Seamstick Taper comes with a #10 Tooth tool block, but other sizes are sold separately, including a #8 Tooth, #10 Coil, 1.5” Facing/Webbing, and 2.0” Facing/Webbing. We hope that the Seamstick Taper helps streamline the fabrication process so you can increase efficiency and continue to deliver exceptional work.
Buy yours today, and Trivantage Plus members receive a 5% discount! For more information, contact your Trivantage sales representative or call us at 800-786-1876.
With so many benefits, it’s no wonder Polyfab shade sail fabric is a popular choice among fabricators. Count on this premium shade fabric with leading sun protection from Trivantage® for:
✔️ High strength-to-weight ratio
✔️ Tested UV protection
✔️ Weather & fade resistance
✔️ 10- to 15-year warranties
Shade sails are a popular choice for shading outdoor spaces given their modern look, flexible design, and wider coverage than traditional awnings or umbrellas. Solar shades made from Polyfab products are ideal for patios, schools and playgrounds, shopping centers, hotels, pools, parking lots, and more. Great for commercial or residential use, premium Polyfab fabric, hardware, and webbing work together to create high-quality canopies. With Polyfab, choose from nearly 50 fade-resistant colors across three shade sail fabric collections, each style made from woven high density polyethylene (HDPE) for high strength and tension capability.
Browse different collections here to find the right fabric for your project. You can also contact your Trivantage sales representative or call us at 800-786-1876.
In the latest episode of “Talking Textiles,” a live podcast produced by Advanced Textiles Association, our very own Keith Purves joined a panel discussion on the state of the marine industry and tips for teaching and learning the craft. Purves, business development and training manager for Trivantage®, is a marine industry veteran, having operated a custom marine canvas shop for 20 years prior to joining Trivantage.
The podcast, hosted by Marine Fabricators Association member Kyle Van Damme, seeks to inspire the next generation of textile professionals. Purves and the panel delved into trade careers, including hiring for character, teaching skills necessary to succeed, learning a craft, and managing a multi-generational staff. They also discussed building an “environment of belonging” and ended their conversation with succession planning and how to prepare for selling your business, topics Purves knows well.
“I grew up in this business, and my experiences as a fabricator have helped to shape my career,” Purves said. “There’s nothing that gives me a greater sense of value than when I can share my experiences and help make someone’s job easier, better, faster, or more profitable.”
Purves is immediate past chair of MFA, longtime member of ATA, and was honored with the 2022 Outstanding Volunteer Award from the industry organizations.
If you don’t have shade trees and want to create a comfortable and stylish outdoor living space, consider a shade sail fabric structure or tension structure installation. This versatile and contemporary solution can enhance any backyard or patio while increasing comfort in any climate.
From structure-anchored shade sails to free-standing tension structures, residential shading structures can transform any pool, porch, or outdoor area into a cooler, more inviting oasis. Whether you’re prioritizing heat reduction, controlling brightness, or UV protection, consider a variety of shade sail options with features that align with any project goal:
Tested for performance in the world's harshest environments, SolaMesh shade sail fabric is made from highly stable HDPE monofilament cloth and tape. The performance fabric remains stable when exposed to UV rays and is very easy to clean. Pair your chosen SolaMesh fabric with SolaMesh Shade Sail Hardware for best-in-class strength, value, and longevity.
Made from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polytex+ shade sail fabric from Polyfab is highly durable and flexible. The monofilament knitting construction ensures the shade sail fabric will not tear or fray if cut or pierced. With UVA and UVB protection, a high strength-to-weight ratio, and excellent fire rating, Polytex+ is ideal for small-scale shade sails and shade structures.
Comtex+ is a knitted HDPE shade sail fabric, also from Polyfab, has a superior fire rating and is ideal for medium-to-large tension membrane structures and shade sails. Recommended for installations with unsupported spans up to 100 feet, this high-quality fabric is lead and phthalate-free, providing superior UV protection.
Commercial NinetyFive 340 is a premium shade sail fabric from GALE Pacific engineered for mid-sized shade sails and fabric structures. Made from UV-stabilized HDPE, it's perfect for commercial use and larger residential projects, featuring durability, long-lasting UV protection, and tear resistance.
Commercial DualShade 350 shade sail fabric offers a distinctive two-toned appearance, adding extra character to any shade sail with its patented knit pattern creating a shimmering, iridescent effect. Crafted from high-quality HDPE, it's engineered for superior dimensional stability, reducing the need for frequent re-tensioning and lowering maintenance costs.
When it comes to outdoor shade structures, you need top quality fabrics, hardware, and expertise — Trivantage has all three, plus a shade sail guide & countless resources.
Our fabrics come in a variety of colors and textures, allowing you to tailor your shade solutions to fit the specific theme, performance demand, or aesthetic of any outdoor space. Whether you’re looking to fulfill the wildest backyard shade dreams or just to increase the amount of shade available, we’re here to help. At Trivantage, we offer everything you need for your backyard landscaping ideas from fabric to hardware to trim, and more.
