Vinyl

 Vinyl is a man-made fabric, essentially manufactured from plastic. A relatively new textile which was invented in the 1920’s, it’s an extremely versatile textile and can be used in a range of settings. Manufacturing of vinyl is a relatively easy process, meaning that most vinyls are affordable and readily available.

Vinyl was actually created by accident when scientists trying to develop a glue to bond metal and rubber stumbled across what has become one of the worlds most versatile fabrics.

What is a Vinyl?

Essentially, vinyl fabric is a plastic and is the type of fabric that could be used where leather is also an option. Ideal on sofas, dining chairs and other areas where a wipe clean surface would come in handy. Some vinyls are produced to be similar to leathers, in both texture and colour, making them ideal for both traditional and more modern pieces of furniture. Vinyls are also a super choice for cars, boats, outdoor furniture and patio umbrellas.

Vinyls are a great choice as a fabric as they are waterproof, durable, fade resistant, strong with plenty of stretch and easy to clean. Vinyls can be relatively inexpensive in comparison to other fabrics as they are easy and quick to produce. Together with the combination of them being hard wearing and low maintenance, vinyls are a great choice for high traffic environments where some longevity is required.

How is it produced?

 Vinyl fabric is man-made fibre and is a type of plastic made from a mixture of chlorine and ethylene. When these elements combined, polyvinyl chloride is created, which is what is more commonly known as vinyl.

Just two substances are required to make the elements that make up the vinyl – oil and salt. It is manufactured during a process called cracking. The oil is broken down through a combination of pressure and soaring temperatures and becomes ethylene, butadiene, propylene, and several other by-product substances. The process needs to continue until only just ethylene is left, which is what is needed to create vinyl. The chlorine comes from the salt via a procedure called electrolytic disassociation.

When combined, the processes of both the oil and salt are all what is needed to produce vinyl. The individual characteristics of the end product will depend on how it is made and what is added.

How do you care for your vinyl?

 One of the biggest advantages of using vinyl is how easy they are to maintain. Vinyls are easy to look after and are super low maintenance as they tend to be wipeable and durable. Vinyls can usually be cleaned with a wide range of common household products, as opposed to leathers that often require specific and expensive cleaning agents.

Alas one of the few downsides to a vinyl is if you have pets that love a good scratch – once scratched it will never be the same again.