Beyond Martindale: the factors that make the difference in hotels, offices and public spaces

A fabric may achieve more than 100,000 Martindale cycles and still experience performance issues in a contract project.

Why?

Because the durability of upholstery does not depend on a single test.

Although abrasion resistance is one of the best-known performance indicators, there are several other factors that can directly influence how a fabric performs over time.

The mistake of focusing solely on Martindale

The Martindale test measures a fabric’s resistance to wear caused by friction.

It is a key performance indicator for contract environments such as hotels, offices, auditoriums, restaurants and other high-traffic spaces.

However, it does not assess aspects such as:

• Seam performance
• Dimensional stability
• Light fastness
• Ease of maintenance
• Performance under repeated stress

As a result, relying exclusively on Martindale ratings when selecting upholstery fabrics can lead to incomplete decisions.

A fabric may offer excellent abrasion resistance and still develop issues over time if other performance characteristics have not been properly evaluated.

The importance of seams in contract upholstery

One of the less familiar yet highly relevant performance indicators is seam slippage resistance.

This test evaluates a fabric’s ability to withstand stress around a seam without the yarns separating.

In applications such as:

• Hotel sofas
• Reception seating
• Waiting area benches
• Auditorium seating
• Hospitality environments

seams are subjected to continuous stress throughout the lifetime of the furniture.

For this reason, upholstery fabrics should provide a balanced performance in terms of both abrasion resistance and seam slippage resistance.

Other factors that influence upholstery durability

Intended use of the space

Not all environments place the same demands on upholstery fabrics.

A hotel lounge, guest room, meeting room or waiting area will each require different performance characteristics.

Understanding the intended use of the space is essential when selecting the most suitable upholstery solution.

Maintenance and cleaning

Cleaning frequency and maintenance procedures can have a direct impact on the long-term appearance and performance of a fabric.

Therefore, it is important to consider not only the initial aesthetics, but also how the upholstery will perform over time.

Light fastness

In spaces with significant natural light exposure, prolonged sunlight can affect the appearance of certain fabrics.

Consequently, light fastness should be considered as part of the specification process.

Quality of workmanship

The final performance of upholstery depends not only on the fabric itself, but also on the quality of the seams, tensioning and overall manufacturing process.

How to choose upholstery for hotels and public spaces

A good specification should never rely on a single technical parameter.

To ensure long-term durability, it is advisable to evaluate:

• Abrasion resistance (Martindale)
• Seam slippage resistance
• Light fastness
• Maintenance requirements
• Intended use of the space
• Applicable regulations and standards

Together, these factors help ensure that upholstery fabrics maintain both their appearance and performance over time.

Flame-retardant upholstery fabrics for contract projects

At Dabedan, we develop flame-retardant upholstery fabrics for hotels, auditoriums, offices, public spaces and hospitality projects where durability, safety and design must work together.

Our upholstery collection is designed to meet the demands of today’s contract environments, combining technical performance with aesthetic appeal.

Discover our flame-retardant upholstery collection for contract projects.