Top-rated fabric options for VWT6 camper upholstery

We thought it would be useful to produce a simple and objective guide on the top-rated fabric options for VWT6 camper upholstery, as although many of our customers come to us already knowing exactly what fabric, colourways and design options they want, some of our customers are initially worried about whether they’re making the right choices. Let’s face it, it’d be a rather expensive mistake to make! Here we want to help educate you on some of the different fabric options available to you, so you can make a more informed choice for your VWT6 camper upholstery. 

We believe the best fabrics for your VWT6 camper upholstery are hard wearing, easy to look after and of course stylish. Let’s look at the main upholstery fabrics that fit the bill… 

• Marine grade vinyl can look very stylish and is designed for use in challenging environments, such as the sea, rivers and canals. Some Marine vinyls aren’t treated with a fire retardant, so it’s vital to confirm that it has been and that it’s fit for the purpose of camper upholstery. It can last for many a year with regular cleaning and protectant application – for UV and surface protection and by avoiding prolonged sun exposure wherever possible. Another reason to try to minimise sun exposure is that marine grade vinyl can become hot to the touch. It’s UV, water, mildew and salt resistant. Avoid harsh and abrasive cleaners and chemicals that remove protective coatings. Marine grade vinyl can cost up to about 25% more than contract vinyl. Maybe the fact that it’s UV resistant will justify any extra cost to you?

• Contract vinyl is designed for commercial use, meaning it’s durable, fire retardant and suitable for heavy wear. It’s reasonably affordable and as mentioned above, can cost up to 25% less than marine grade vinyl. It really just depends on the quality of contract vinyl you go for. (We wouldn’t recommend going for the cheapest). It’s easy to clean with just a vacuum, a mild soap solution and a microfiber cloth – well rung out. Check out our article How to Care for Your Vinyl Camper Upholstery.  A high quality vinyl is stylish and can look just like leather, but without the slightly  “baggy look” that leather gives over time and at a lesser price point too. Contract vinyl can become hot in the summer, as leather can. Take precautions during the summer to minimise this. Park in the shade, close curtains / blinds and use a sunshade when parked up. Vinyl is more resistant to UV than leather, but can still become brittle and discoloured over a long period of time. Avoid harsh detergents, moisture and sun when possible. Contract vinyl may be for you if you want a durable product with a leather look at a reasonable price. We find this to be by far the most popular choice.

• Leather is luxurious, stylish and durable in the day to day. Leather can be inherently fire resistant, but for use in upholstery, are treated with flame retardants. Easier to clean than fabric, it does however require more care than fabric and vinyl, such as conditioning and protection to prevent cracking over time. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause leather to fade, dry out and crack, so taking precautions during the summer to minimise this is essential, even more so than with contract vinyl. As mentioned above, leather can become hot when exposed to direct sunlight. Park in the shade, close curtains / blinds and use a sunshade when parked up. As leather is a natural product (hide) it can contain scars and branding marks that the animal picked up during its lifetime. It’s also stiffer in some areas and much softer in others, depending on where the hide was situated on the animal. Just look at your own skin and you’ll see it’s much smoother on your body than say, your elbow! Not all these imperfections can be worked around and so in choosing leather for your camper upholstery, you need to be aware there may be some tiny imperfections on your finished product. A good upholsterer will do their best to place these in the less conspicuous areas of your seating, but it’s not always possible. However, corrected grain leather has had any imperfections sanded and buffed out form the surface and then an artificial grain is then applied on to the leather, giving it a uniform appearance. The cost of leather varies greatly and can cost several times more than both Marine grade and contract vinyl.

*Always check any materials to be used are treated with fire retardants and are certified to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations.

Most of our customers choose from our high quality contract vinyl range and it’s honestly what we prefer to work with.

But how about you? Has our guide on the Top-rated fabric options for VWT6 camper upholstery helped you to make your mind up? Has it changed your mind? Are you now more confused than ever? We hope it’s not the latter! Let us know in the comments and feel free to pop any questions you might have in there too, because we’d like to help you.