How to Choose Upholstery Fabric in Montreal: A Practical Guide
Durability ratings, pet- and kid-proof options, leather vs fabric, and how much fabric your piece needs — from Atlas Upholstering, reupholstering furniture on Cavendish since 1967.
Fabric is the decision you live with every day after a reupholstery job — and it is also the single biggest variable in what the project costs. Pick well and a sofa or set of dining chairs looks sharp for 10–15 years. Pick only on looks and you can be dealing with pilling, fading or torn seams within two winters. Here is how we help Montreal clients choose, in the order we actually ask the questions at the studio.
1. Start with how the piece is used
Before colour or texture, be honest about wear. A family-room sofa that gets daily use, a cat and a teenager needs a very different cloth than a bedroom accent chair or a custom headboard nobody sits against.
| Use | What to look for | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday sofa / family room | Tight weaves, performance polyester or olefin, solution-dyed acrylic, top-grain leather | Loose bouclé, silk, delicate linen |
| Dining chairs | Wipeable performance fabric, faux leather or leather; mid-to-dark tones | Pale loose weaves that show spills |
| Pets (claws) | Microfibre, tight-weave performance fabric, leather (scratches but won’t snag) | Bouclé, chenille, loops and slubs that snag |
| Sunny south/west windows | Solution-dyed acrylic, polyester; lighter colours | Silk, untreated cotton, dark saturated velvets |
| Headboards & accent pieces | Velvet, linen, bouclé — almost anything goes | Nothing in particular — this is where to splurge |
| Restaurants & commercial seating | Commercial-rated vinyl or contract fabric, high abrasion rating | Residential-only fabrics |
2. Understand durability ratings (double rubs)
Most upholstery fabrics are tested for abrasion. North American samples usually list a Wyzenbeek “double rub” count; European fabrics list a Martindale number. Neither is a guarantee, but they are a good first filter:
- Under ~10,000 double rubs — decorative use: pillows, headboards, occasional chairs.
- ~15,000 and up — the usual guideline for everyday residential seating such as sofas and armchairs.
- 30,000 and up — heavy-duty and commercial work like restaurant banquettes and church seating.
Abrasion is only one part of the story. Weave tightness, fibre content and pilling resistance matter just as much — a very high rub count on a loose, loopy weave can still snag on the first pair of jeans with rivets. That is why we always put the sample in your hands before you commit.
3. Fibre by fibre: what holds up
- Polyester & olefin (polypropylene): tough, fade-resistant and easy to clean; the backbone of most “performance” fabrics.
- Solution-dyed acrylic: colour goes all the way through the fibre, so it resists sun-fading and bleach-based cleaning — also our go-to for outdoor cushions.
- Cotton & linen: beautiful and breathable, but linen wrinkles and both stain more easily unless blended or treated.
- Velvet: polyester velvets are surprisingly durable; cotton and silk velvets crush and mark more readily.
- Wool: naturally resilient and flame-resistant — excellent on armchairs, less ideal where kids eat.
- Bouclé & chenille: soft and on-trend, but the loops snag — best kept away from claws.
4. Leather vs fabric reupholstery
Genuine leather (top-grain or full-grain) is the longest-lasting option on a frequently used sofa or chair and develops character with age. It costs more up front and needs occasional conditioning — especially in Montreal, where dry, heated winter air can dry out and crack neglected leather.
Faux leather is wipeable and economical, which makes it popular for kitchen and dining chairs. Quality varies enormously: cheaper PU and “bonded leather” tend to peel after a few years. If your current sofa is flaking, our leather furniture repair page explains when a repair is enough and when a re-cover makes more sense.
Fabric gives you the widest range of colours, textures and price points, and is warmer to sit on in winter. For most families a good performance fabric is the best balance of comfort, durability and cost.
5. How much fabric do you need?
Yardage drives the fabric part of your quote, so it helps to know the ballpark for standard 54-inch upholstery goods:
| Piece | Typical yardage |
|---|---|
| Dining chair, drop-in (slip) seat | Well under 1 yard per chair |
| Armchair / accent chair | 5–7 yards |
| Loveseat | 8–12 yards |
| Three-seat sofa | 12–18 yards |
Large pattern repeats, stripes that must line up, and loose back cushions all push those numbers up. Plains and small textures waste the least. We calculate exact yardage for your specific piece when we quote.
6. Seeing, feeling and testing fabric in person
Screens lie about colour and never show texture. At our studio at 2535 Boul. Cavendish (NDG) you can handle our in-house fabric selection, compare samples against your piece in daylight, and get straight answers about how each option will wear. Prefer your own? We also work with customer-supplied fabric (COM) — just check the width, rub rating and yardage with us before you buy so there are no surprises.
Ready to price it out? Our reupholstery cost guide explains everything else that affects the total, or see our dining chair and sofa repair services.
Upholstery fabric FAQ
What is the most durable upholstery fabric?
For everyday residential seating, tightly woven performance fabrics (polyester, olefin or solution-dyed acrylic) and top-grain leather are the most durable choices. Look for an abrasion rating of roughly 15,000 double rubs or more for sofas and armchairs, and 30,000+ for commercial seating.
What upholstery fabric is best with cats and dogs?
Microfibre, tight-weave performance fabrics and leather hold up best with pets. Avoid bouclé, chenille and any looped or slubbed weave, which claws pull and snag easily.
Is leather or fabric better for reupholstering a sofa?
Genuine top-grain leather lasts longest and ages well but costs more and needs conditioning, particularly through dry Montreal winters. Quality performance fabric is warmer, offers more colours and is usually more economical. Inexpensive faux and bonded leather tend to peel after a few years.
How many yards of fabric do I need to reupholster a sofa?
A standard three-seat sofa typically needs 12 to 18 yards of 54-inch upholstery fabric; a loveseat 8 to 12 yards and an armchair 5 to 7 yards. Large patterns that need matching require more. Atlas calculates exact yardage when quoting.
Can I supply my own fabric for reupholstery in Montreal?
Yes. Atlas Upholstering accepts customer-supplied fabric (COM). Check the width, abrasion rating and yardage with us before buying so the fabric suits the piece and you order enough.
Where can I see upholstery fabric in Montreal?
You can browse Atlas Upholstering's in-house fabric selection at 2535 Boul. Cavendish in NDG, Montreal, and compare samples against your furniture before committing. Call (514) 481-2652 or request a free quote online.
Get expert fabric advice and a free quote
Send us a few photos of your piece and tell us how it is used — we will suggest fabrics that suit your home, your budget and your household, and reply within 24 hours with a free, no-obligation estimate. Family-run on Cavendish since 1967.