Welcome to Housefabric.com, your exclusive destination for premium fabric products. In our dedication to providing the best of the best, we present to you one of our leading fabric brands: Barrow fabric. Known for its superior quality, exclusive designs, and great selection, Barrow fabric is a leading supplier of home-furnishing upholstery fabrics. Whether you’re looking for good-looking upholstery fabric or heavy-duty outdoor fabrics, they offer a wide array of designs, colors, and constructions to suit all of your fabric needs.
In this blog post, we will explore everything you need to know about Barrow fabric including the history of the company, the different kinds of fabrics and designs they offer, as well as the different durabilities of fabrics. We’ll also cover general tips to help choose the right fabric for you and the various cleaning codes Barrow fabric uses.
History of Barrow Fabrics
Founded over 75 years ago in 1945 by the company’s founder, Paul Barrow, Barrow fabric has been a trusted and respected source of decorative home furnishing fabrics for interior designers, decorators, and upholsters for many years. The company headquarters is in Massachusetts and has been family owned and operated for three generations. They pride themselves in providing exclusive and inspiring designs in a wide selection of the most fashionable and cutting-edge colors. You can find their products in both local independent and to-the-trade showrooms throughout the United States and Canada.
Types of Barrow Fabrics
Barrow fabric prides themselves on offering a wide variety of fabrics to cater to your unique needs and preferences. They understand that it is not easy to choose a fabric that will be perfect for your home but believe in the importance of bringing your design vision to life. With their extensive range of fabric types, you are almost guaranteed to find one that you will love.
Upholstery Fabrics: These fabrics are durable, versatile, and available in different patterns, textures, and colors to suit different styles and preferences.
Drapery Fabrics: These fabrics offer varying levels of opacity and a range of designs to enhance any interior space.
Outdoor Fabrics: These fabrics are durable, fade-resistant, and water-resistant, making them ideal for outdoor furniture cushions, pillows, and other outdoor decor.
Performance Fabrics: These fabrics are easy to clean, durable, and designed to maintain their beauty even in high-traffic areas.
Print Fabrics: These fabrics have designs or patterns printed on them to create visual interest or a pop of color in any space or project.
Solid Fabrics: These minimalist fabrics come in various textures and finishes, allowing you to create a clean and sophisticated look.
Textured Fabrics: These fabrics offer different textured finishes, such as chenille, jacquard, or textured weaves, to add depth and visual interest to your projects.
These are just a few examples of the types of fabric you can find from Barrow fabric. It is important to note that fabrics can often fall into multiple categories, and some specialized fabrics may have their own unique classifications based on specific characterizations or applications.
Barrow Fabric Designs
Barrow fabric offers a wide range of fabric designs to suit various preferences and design aesthetics. Some of their fabric designs include:
Damask: These patterns are typically woven into the fabric with a combination of satin and matte finishes, creating a luxurious, raised design.
Ikat: These designs feature a dyeing technique where yarns are tied and dyed before weaving, resulting in blurred or feathered patterns.
Stripes: Typically horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines of equal width that can be thin, thick, or varying in size. They can create a classic or contemporary look.
Geometric: These patterns include shapes such as squares, circles, triangles, and other angular or symmetrical forms. They can have a modern, abstract, or minimalist aesthetic.
Paisley: Originating from Persian and Indian art, these patterns feature intricate teardrop or droplet-shaped motifs that form elaborate patterns.
Plaid: Characterized by intersecting horizontal and vertical bands of various widths and colors, commonly associated with tartan patterns.
Animal Skins: Typically woven or printed, these designs mimic the patterns and textures found in the skins or fur of various animals, such as leopards, zebras, and snakes.
Durability of Barrow Fabrics
Barrow fabric measures its fabric’s durability with double rubs. Double rubs are a measurement of a fabric’s abrasion resistance. They are determined through a mechanized test called the Wyzenbeek test which is regarded as the standard for measuring abrasion resistance for residential fabric in North America. A piece of wire mesh used on a mechanical arm is passed back and forth over the test fabric in each direction. Each back-and-forth motion is one double rub. The wire mesh passing over the fabric is supposed to simulate the wear of an individual on a seat cushion. There are three main categories that a fabric can be classified into based on the number of double rubs it can withstand:
Light Duty
Fabrics in this category typically have a double rub count ranging from 3,000 to 9,000. Usually better suited for decorative purposes or areas with minimal use, such as accent chairs or decorative pillows.
Medium Duty
Fabrics classified in this category typically have a double rub count ranging from 9,000 to 15,000. These fabrics offer a moderate level of durability and are suitable for residential settings with average use, such as living room furniture or dining chairs.
Heavy Duty
Fabrics in this category generally have a double rub count of 15,000 and higher. These fabrics are designed for high-traffic areas and frequent use, making them suitable for commercial settings like offices, hotels, or public spaces. They are also preferred for residential settings where durability is a priority, such as family room furniture or heavily used seating areas.
Choosing the Best Fabric for You
Choosing the right fabric types and designs that suit your needs and personal style is crucial for successful interior design projects. Here are some helpful tips to guide you in selecting the perfect fabric from Barrow fabrics:
Consider the Purpose
Determine the intended use of the fabric you are looking for, whether it be upholstery fabric, drapery fabric, or outdoor fabric. Each application has specific requirements in terms of durability, fade resistance, and moisture resistance. Identify the purpose to narrow down your fabric options.
Assess the Durability
Evaluate the level of durability required based on the anticipated wear and tear. Consider factors such as the frequency of use, the presence of children or pets, and the level of activity in the space. Choose heavy-duty fabrics with higher double rub counts for high-traffic areas, and opt for light-duty fabrics for decorative and low-traffic areas.
Determine the Desired Aesthetic
Consider the overall style and ambiance you want to achieve. Determine whether you prefer a traditional, transitional, or modern look. Each design aesthetic can be enhanced with specific fabric types and patterns. Traditional styles may call for damask or paisley patterns, while modern designs often use clean lines and geometric prints.
Request Fabric Samples
If you’re not 100% sure about a fabric you are looking at, you can always purchase a sample from Housefabric.com to see and feel the materials firsthand. Examining the texture, color, and pattern in person will help you make a more informed decision. Place the samples in your space to see how they interact with the lighting and other elements.
Care & Cleaning
It is important to know how to care for and clean your fabrics so that they stay in good condition. To prevent soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing with a nonmetallic, stiff bristle brush to remove dust and grime is recommended. Use a professional cleaning service when an overall soiled condition has been reached. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Never saturate and always pretest a small, inconspicuous area first. Barrow fabric utilizes three specific cleaning codes to categorize its fabrics, ensuring clarity on the use of appropriate cleaning agents for each type of fabric.
Code W
Fabrics labeled with this code can be safely spot-cleaned using water-based cleaning methods such as water-based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. Do NOT use solvents when spot-cleaning. Hot water extraction or steam cleaning is not recommended. Cushion covers should not be removed and laundered. Some of the common types of fabrics for this code include cotton, polyester, linen, acrylic, microfiber, and rayon.
Code S
Fabrics labeled with this code can be safely spot-cleaned using water-free dry cleaning solvents. Do NOT use water when spot-cleaning. Cushion covers should not be removed and dry cleaned. Some of the common types of fabrics for this code include silk, acetate, velvet, wool, mohair, and upholstery with sensitive backings.
Code S/W
Fabrics labeled with this code can be safely spot-cleaned with upholstery shampoo, foam from a mild detergent, or mild dry cleaning solvent. Hot water extraction or steam cleaning is not a recommended cleaning method. Cushion casings should not be removed and laundered or dry cleaned. Some of the common types of fabrics for this code include polyester blends, nylon blends, certain synthetic blends, some microfiber blends, and performance fabrics.
Shopping for Barrow Fabric at House Fabric
Navigating the Online Store
House Fabric's user-friendly online store makes it easy to find the perfect Barrow fabric for your projects. Browse our extensive collection by material, pattern, or style using the convenient search filters. Each product listing includes detailed descriptions, images, and care instructions to help you make an informed decision.
Exclusive Offers and Promotions
House Fabric is committed to offering our customers exceptional value on our Barrow fabric collection. Be sure to check our website regularly for exclusive offers, promotions, and discounts on our already competitive prices. To stay updated on the latest deals and new arrivals, sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media.
Customer Support and Assistance
Our knowledgeable and friendly customer support team is available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about our Barrow fabric selection. Whether you need guidance on choosing the right material for your project or require help with placing an order, our team is here to help. Contact us via email, phone, or our website's Contact Us page for prompt and professional support.
Conclusion
Superior Quality and Exclusive Designs of Barrow Fabric
As we wrap up our exploration of Barrow fabric, it’s clear that their selection of fabrics is second to none. From their rich history, superior quality, exclusive designs, and great selection, Barrow fabric exceeds expectations at every turn. At House Fabric, we are proud to feature Barrow fabrics, helping our customers transform their homes and outdoor spaces with these high-quality fabrics. Whether you’re looking for a durable material for an outdoor setting or trying to find the perfect fabric for the family room, Barrow fabric can be the perfect choice for you.
House Fabric's Commitment to Quality and Customer Satisfaction
House Fabric is proud to offer an extensive selection of high-quality Barrow fabric for sale, catering to various tastes, styles, and project requirements. We are dedicated to providing an enjoyable shopping experience by offering exceptional customer support, a user-friendly online store, and competitive pricing on our curated collection of Barrow fabric.
Your Go-To Source for Barrow Fabric
Whether you’re already familiar with Barrow fabric or just discovering the beauty of this fabric brand, House Fabric is your go-to source for Barrow fabric. Explore our diverse range of patterns, styles, and materials, and let the superior quality and exclusive designs of Barrow fabric inspire your creativity and elevate your projects.
