Canvas Fabric

Canvas fabric is a durable, versatile fabric that is wildly popular for a variety of applications, including outdoor furniture, camping and sporting equipment, canoe construction, boat sails, and as a component of artist's canvases.

There are several types of canvas fabric available, each of which is sold in a wide range of weights. Canvas is an attractive fabric for many reasons; it holds up very well under heavy use, and is easy to clean.

Thick, heavy varieties of canvas are also extremely strong, and may be used to create totes for firewood and sporting equipment such as bowling balls.

Canvas fabric comes in a variety of weights; this weight may be identified with a numbering scale, or simply listed as ounces per square yard of fabric.

• The heaviest forms of canvas fabric are used to create boat sails, duffle bags, carrying straps, and canoes; heavy canvas fabric is also used to build tents and tarps.

• Mid-weight canvas is frequently used as a component in outdoor furniture; it is also often used to form the seat and back of director's chairs, such as those frequently seen on film sets, and as the principal material in huge patio umbrellas and portable beach shelters.

• Very light canvas may be used to upholster furniture because it is stain-resistant and not easily damaged by pets; the surface of this fabric is often brushed to increase its softness. Lightweight canvas fabric is also a popular component in many shoes, purses, and tote bags.

Canvas is particularly popular when used on the uppers of certain sneakers and casual slip-on shoes, and is also frequently seen on espadrille sandals.

Canvas fabric is also the most popular fabric found on painter's canvases. Most artists purchase their canvases ready-made; however, many choose to make their own.

The type of canvas fabric used to make boat sails is the same that is most often used on canvases; it is stretched tightly across a wooden frame, and then covered with a priming substance before paint is applied.

Canvas fabric is affordably available in a variety of colors, prints, and styles. When purchasing this fabric for outdoor applications, popularly including outdoor furniture, many individuals choose canvas that has been treated with a waterproofing agent; this reduces the chance that mold, mildew, or fungi will begin to grow on the damp fabric.

Canvas fabric may also be treated with a fire-retardant; this is particularly important if the fabric will be used to construct a tent or a tarpaulin. Fire retardants may also be applied after the fabric is purchased.