Laminated Polyurethane Fabrics

By Frank Parker

fix faux leather peeling
fix faux leather peeling

If this was your chair, you may be be thinking where can I get my chair reupholstered? Would you believe that this chair is only two years old and looks like it has been in a war zone. It is well constructed however unfortunately it was covered in a polyurethane fabric which has been affected by hydrolysis. This is when body oils and perspiration leach between the top polyurethane film and the backing fabric resulting in delamination.

This has been a continual problem for many decades with laminated polyurethane fabrics. The manufacturer, import wholesaler and retailer could only be labelled as blissfully ignorant if they were unaware of this issue.

We recommended to our client to reupholster this chair in the most durable upholstery fabric. For this we chose a commercial grade synthetic suede which will last for many years. It cost the client approximately 60% of the initial purchase price. This highlights the necessity for retail staff to be adequately trained and the necessary enforcement of consumer law. In this case as with so many, the client was left holding the baby while the supply chain were left holding the profits.

We can help you with your well worn chair to ensure that you get the best wearing upholstery fabric. So that you are enjoying your furniture for many years to come.

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    Ercol Furniture was established in 1920 by Lucian Ercolani in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire manufacturing timber framed lounge furniture and occasional furniture. In 1944 Ercol was awarded a contract by the Government Board of Trade to produce 100 000 low cost spindled/bentwood framed chairs. This involved a process the company developed of steam pressing English Elm so the chairs could be assembled from pre-formed components.

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    We removed all the upholstery and stripped back the lacquer to bare timber. The frame was then stained a mid-tone walnut and coated with three coats of 30% gloss lacquer. Quality seat webbing was then fitted and then we fabricated premium foam cushioning laminating it with bonded polyester fibre. We disregarded the old cushion covers and made new patterns bringing everything back to original with a blue tone fabric featuring a wide abstract diamond pattern being selected by our client.

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    What we generally recognise as Australian styled ‘club lounges’ were made from the late 1920’s through to the mid 1950’s. This design was not uniquely Australian however it was very popular during this era and the suite featured is typical of this period however many variations were available.

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    • We sanded back the timber arm trays and base blocks
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    In rejuvenating this classic Australian styled ‘club lounge’ our clients will be able to cherish their family memories into the future.

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    Westnofa furniture is one of the great success stories of the Norwegian furniture industry. The name was derived from the combination of WEST NOrway FActories and was formed in the late 1950’s by a collaboration of the country’s leading furniture manufacturers. The goal was to combine forces to market and export locally produced furniture.

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    The History of Thomas Howard Brown

    Thomas Howard Brown formed T.H Brown during 1911 in Adelaide. The brand became a household name in furniture during the first half of the 20th century being one of Australia’s largest furniture manufacturers by the 1920’s and producing its two millionth chair by the 1940’s.

    Thomas’s son Peter joined the business after his return from WWII and went on to develop some of T.H. Brown’s most iconic pieces of furniture. Peter and his brother Napier ran the business until 1987 when T.H. Brown was sold to Work Space Commercial Furniture.

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