outdoor fabric double rubs
Before you recover a patio sofa or sew new chaise cushions, check the outdoor fabric double rubs rating. This number tells you how well a fabric resists abrasion from everyday sitting, sliding and shifting, so you can choose material that holds up season after season instead of pilling or wearing thin.
What Double Rubs Measure
Double rubs come from the Wyzenbeek abrasion test, where a machine rubs a fabric sample back and forth until it shows visible wear. Each back-and-forth pass counts as one double rub. Some fabrics list a Martindale rub count instead, which uses a circular motion, so compare like with like.
How Many Double Rubs Do You Need?
Common Guidelines
- Decorative use: pillows and accents that see light contact
- Around 15,000: often considered heavy-duty for residential seating
- 30,000 and up: commonly recommended for commercial patios, restaurants and high-traffic areas
Look Beyond the Number
Abrasion resistance is only part of the picture. For outdoor upholstery fabric durability, also consider UV and fade resistance, water repellency, mildew resistance and how easily the fabric cleans.
Find Your Fabric
Ready to compare options? Browse the heavy-duty outdoor fabrics below and check each listing's details to match the right material to your project.
