A Complete Guide to Fabric Upholstery at La-Z-Boy Ottawa & Kingston

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Choosing the perfect living room furniture goes beyond its shape and design – the fabric or leather covering it is equally crucial. The right upholstery impacts texture, temperature, appearance, and durability. Whether you know exactly what you want or are still exploring options, La-Z-Boy Ottawa and Kingston offer a wide variety of styles, fabrics, and designs to match your unique taste.

To help you make an informed decision, it's essential to understand how La-Z-Boy's upholstery fabric grades affect price, quality, and style. This article explains the different fabric grades offered at La-Z-Boy, ensuring you choose the best fabric for your sofa and other furniture pieces.

Key Takeaways

• La-Z-Boy has up to 6 specialty fabrics to choose, from each with its specific use. There are iClean, Eco-friendly, Antimicrobial, Performance, Pet-Friendly, and Restore fabrics.
• Select fabrics are La-Z-Boy covers married to a specific frame and do not raise the cost of a furniture item. 
• Custom covers are not associated with anything and have a price range that depends on their fabric grade.
• La-Z-Boy fabric grades can range from any letter between B and Q and can change in price depending on the letter. B grades are the least expensive whereas Q are very expensive.
• When shopping at La-Z-Boy for fabrics, consider your style preferences and the other furniture pieces in your home. You want your fabric cover to match what you already have, so it creates a cohesive look.

In This Article...

1. Understanding La-Z-Boy’s Fabric Grades
2. How to Choose the Best Fabric for Your Sofa
3. Fabric vs. Leather: Which is Right for You?
4. Fabric Care and Maintenance Tips

Understanding La-Z-Boy's Fabric Grades

Fabric Grade System

La-Z-Boy places its upholstery fabric grades in a lettering system. The lowest grade of fabric is a B-grade while the highest is a Q-grade. Each level of fabric grade constitutes a different level of quality, durability, weave type, or construction method. These factors also determine the cost of each fabric.

What Determines Fabric Grades?

Factors such as the type of materials used and the weaving techniques employed influence the grade of upholstery fabric. Higher-grade fabrics generally offer more luxurious textures and superior durability. However, even B-grade fabrics at La-Z-Boy are of good quality, offering an affordable yet stylish option for your furniture.

Wearability Levels

Wearability is another crucial factor that distinguishes different types of fabrics. La-Z-Boy divides its fabrics into three different types of wearability to help you choose the best fabric for a sofa or other furniture frames:

• Normal Wearability: Recommended for use on all La-Z-Boy upholstered furniture.
• Medium Wearability: Suitable for sofas, sleeper sofas, Duo furniture, Designer’s Choice furniture, and other stationary pieces. Not recommended for reclining furniture.
• High Wearability (Performance): Ideal for all La-Z-Boy upholstered furniture, performance fabrics are resistant to pilling, abrasions, and fraying.

What is the Difference Between Select Fabrics and Custom Fabrics?

At La-Z-Boy, we have two different types of fabrics that can affect the price of a furniture item…

Select Fabrics

Select fabrics are married to specific furniture frames and are available at no extra cost. While they offer great value, they are limited to certain frames. Select fabrics cannot be found in the custom selection and can only be found within the furniture they are associated with.

Custom Fabrics

Custom fabrics are all other fabric covers that are not associated with a specific furniture item. Choosing a custom fabric incurs additional charges but offers more variety and personalization. Custom fabrics allow you to create a unique look for your furniture frame, like an accent chair that tailors to your specific taste.

Specialized Performance Fabrics

La-Z-Boy offers performance fabrics that excel in various areas, enhancing the value and functionality of your furniture. These fabrics are also tightly woven, and withstand wear and tear much longer than regular fabrics, and all come at an extra cost. Here are some of the specialized performance fabrics available. To learn about any of these specialty fabrics below, check out the highlighted links.

Stain-Resistant Covers

Innovative iClean Technology surrounds each fibre, creating a barrier that repels spills before they turn into stains. These fabrics are perfect for families and those who entertain frequently.

Pet-Friendly Fabrics

Tested and formulated to withstand the scratches and wear that pets can cause, ensuring a durable and easily washable fabric.

Antimicrobial Covers

These fabrics have antimicrobial properties that protect against mould, mildew, and odour-causing bacteria, ensuring a healthier living environment.

Eco-Friendly Fabrics

Conserve Sustainable Fabrics are soft, durable, and made from recycled water bottles, offering an environmentally friendly option without sacrificing quality.

Energy Restoration

Restore by Nanobionic® features a mineral-based fabric coating that transforms natural body heat into energy using infrared technology, providing added comfort and health benefits.

How to Choose the Best Fabric for Your Sofa

When taking into consideration the information above, you must be wondering, what kind of fabric is right for you? Some factors may be more important than others but these points might be important to keep in mind when looking at a fabric cover.

Budget Considerations

Cost is a significant factor when selecting a fabric. For example, when you look at select fabrics, these covers will be a more budget-friendly option. However, they might feel limited compared to the extensive variety of other available fabrics. Custom fabrics come with additional fees based on their grade, with higher-grade fabrics generally being more expensive.

Visualizing Fabric Texture & Colour

One of the biggest benefits of ordering fabric swatches is being able to visualize the material in your living space. Feeling the fabric with your hands and seeing how the colour matches your existing furniture can prevent costly mistakes. If you order a fabric swatch and it doesn't meet your expectations, you've saved yourself from a potentially regrettable purchase.

To learn more about Why You Should Order Fabric Swatches from La-Z-Boy, take a look at this article.

Consider Your Lifestyle

When selecting upholstery, it's important to consider how your furniture will be used daily. Think about your household: Do you have kids or pets? Do you frequently host guests? Your lifestyle will significantly influence the best fabric choice for you.

For busy households, durable fabrics are essential. iClean fabrics are perfect for homes with children, as they repel spills and stains. For pet owners, pet-friendly fabrics offer durability against scratches and wear, ensuring your furniture stands up for daily use.

Assess Your Room's Decor

The fabric you choose should complement your room's decor. Consider the colour scheme, existing furniture, and overall style of the room. Bringing a sample of your wall paint can help in matching fabrics.

Ensuring Furniture Quality

Understanding fabric quality helps you distinguish between furniture covers and assess their durability. Higher quality fabrics might cost more initially, but they save money in the long run by lasting longer.

Fabric vs. Leather: Which is Right For You?

Fabric Upholstery

Advantages

• Variety of Styles and Colors: Fabric offers a wider range of colors, patterns, and textures, making it easier to match your home decor.
• Comfort: Fabric tends to be softer and more comfortable, especially in colder climates where leather can feel cool to the touch.
• Affordability: Generally, fabric sofas are more affordable than their leather counterparts.
• Customization: With fabric, you have the flexibility to choose from hundreds of options to match your personal style.

Considerations

• Maintenance: Fabric may require more maintenance to keep it looking new, such as regular vacuuming and spot cleaning.
• Durability: Depending on the fabric grade, some fabrics may wear out faster than leather, especially in high-traffic areas.

Leather Upholstery

Advantages

• Luxurious Look and Feel: Leather exudes a sense of luxury and sophistication, making it a popular choice for many homeowners.
• Easy to Clean: Leather is relatively easy to clean and maintain. Spills can often be wiped away with a damp cloth.
• Durability: High-quality leather is incredibly durable and can last for many years with proper care.
• Hypoallergenic: Leather doesn’t harbor allergens like pet dander, dust mites, and other particles, making it a good choice for those with allergies.

Considerations

• Cost: Leather is typically more expensive than fabric due to the quality and durability it offers.
• Temperature Sensitivity: Leather can feel hot and sticky in the summer and cold in the winter, which might affect comfort.
• Limited Colour Options: While leather offers a sleek look, the colour options are generally more limited compared to fabric.

Fabric Care and Maintenance Tips

Regular Cleaning

Regular cleaning is essential to maintain the look and longevity of your fabric upholstery. Use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment to remove dust and debris.

Stain Removal

For minor stains, blot the area with a clean, damp cloth. Avoid rubbing, as this can push the stain further into the fabric. For tougher stains, refer to the cleaning instructions provided with your sofa.

Protecting Your Fabric

Consider using fabric protectors to prevent spills and stains. Rotate cushions regularly to ensure even wear.

Avoiding Fabric Pilling

Fabric pilling is a natural phenomenon where small balls of fibre form on the surface of the fabric due to wear and friction. To minimize pilling, choose performance fabrics that are designed to resist this effect. Regular maintenance, such as using a fabric shaver, can help keep your furniture looking fresh.

Some of our fabrics at La-Z-Boy are susceptible to fabric pilling as well. To learn more about Avoiding Fabric Pilling, take a look at this article.

What's Next?

La-Z-Boy values furniture customization, offering numerous fabric upholstery covers to choose from. This wide variety allows customers to personalize their furniture and create unique pieces for their stylish homes.

If you’re still having a hard time making your decision, consult with a design consultant or an interior designer. Our designers are always eager to lend a helping hand, especially when helping you choose the right fabric or leather cover for your furniture.

To speak to one of our consultants or designers today, visit us at any of our local Ottawa & Kingston locations. You can also book an appointment online before coming in.

For more information on La-Z-Boy products, check out these helpful articles:

• Best Selling Recliners at La-Z-Boy
• Best Selling Sofas at La-Z-Boy
• Best Selling La-Z-Boy Sectionals

By exploring these resources and visiting our stores, you'll be well-equipped to make an informed decision and find the perfect fabric that combines comfort, style, and functionality. Thank you for considering La-Z-Boy, where we strive to provide the best in home comfort and design.

Related Articles:

How to Choose the Right Sofa Colour

How to Mix Fabric & Leather Furniture

Furniture Care Tips