Two popular choices for upholsterers and marine fabricators is Morbern and Naugahyde vinyl fabrics. Big Z Fabric manufactures and carries very similar quality options that can be found at a much cheaper price.
Let’s start with who our competitors are and give them the proper specifications they deserve.
Who and what is Morbern Fabric?
Morbern is actually a company that manufactures fabric including their well known upholstery fabrics that are known for their durability, versatility, and design. They specialize in these fabrics which are known widely for the following specifications that make them so popular:
- Material: Morbern fabrics are made primarily from vinyl (polyvinyl chloride or PVC) designed for its durability, water resistance, and ease of cleaning.
- Uses: The performance of their fabric make them great for automotive, marine, healthcare, and hospitality applications. These are all environments where the upholstery needs to withstand heavy use and frequent cleaning.
- Features:
- Durability: High resistance to wear and tear, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.
- Water Resistance: Impervious to water, making it suitable for marine applications and other wet environments.
- Easy to Clean: Simple to maintain with regular cleaning methods.
- Variety of Designs: Available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures.
- Eco-Friendly Options: Morbern offers some eco-friendly products that are free from phthalates and heavy metals.
Naugahyde Fabric
Naugahyde is a patented type of fabric which many manufactures can license. It is a brand of artificial leather (or synthetic leather) made by Uniroyal Engineered Products. It is a popular choice for a variety of applications due to its leather-like appearance and durability. Here are some key points about Naugahyde fabric:
- Material: Naugahyde is made from a composite of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and a textile backing, which is typically a knit fabric. This construction provides a leather-like texture and appearance.
- Uses: Like Morbern, Naugahyde is used in multiple industries, including automotive, marine, healthcare, and furniture. It’s known for its realistic leather look and feel.
- Features:
- Durability: Highly resistant to abrasion and punctures, suitable for heavy-duty applications.
- Water Resistance: Waterproof, making it ideal for marine and outdoor furniture.
- Easy to Clean: Can be cleaned with standard cleaning solutions, maintaining its appearance over time.
- Aesthetics: Mimics the look and feel of genuine leather, available in various colors and finishes.
- Eco-Friendly Options: Some Naugahyde products are designed to be more environmentally friendly, with low VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions and free from harmful substances.
Both Morbern and Naugahyde fabrics are excellent choices for upholstery needs, providing practical and stylish solutions for various environments.
Introducing Big Z Fabric as a competitive alternative to Morbern and Naugahyde
We’ve manufactured several lines of fabric that meet or exceed the performance of Morbern and Naugahyde while offering interesting looks and patterns as well. When compared, Big Z Fabric’s offerings maintain the same reliability at a better price as well, especially when compared to our Marine Vinyl lines.
We’ve put together an analysis of the similarities and differences between Big Z Fabric Marine Vinyl, Morbern, and Naugahyde.
Similarities
- Material: All three options are primarily made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which gives them excellent durability and water resistance.
- Durability: All these fabrics fabrics are designed to withstand heavy use and are resistant to wear and tear, making them suitable for high-traffic areas.
- Water Resistance: They are all waterproof, making them ideal for marine applications and environments where moisture is a concern.
- Ease of Cleaning: All three fabrics can be easily cleaned with standard cleaning solutions, maintaining their appearance and functionality over time.
- Applications: Suitable for a wide range of applications including automotive, marine, healthcare, hospitality, and furniture.
Differences
Morbern Fabric
- Features:
- Variety of Designs: Morbern offers a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures, allowing for more customization and aesthetic options.
- Eco-Friendly Options: Some Morbern products are designed to be more environmentally friendly, free from phthalates and heavy metals.
- Industry Focus: Primarily used in automotive, marine, healthcare, and hospitality industries.
Naugahyde Fabric
- Features:
- Leather-Like Appearance: Naugahyde is known for its realistic leather look and feel, providing an aesthetic similar to genuine leather.
- Historical Reputation: Naugahyde has been around since the 1930s and has a long-standing reputation for quality.
- Eco-Friendly Options: Some products have low VOC emissions and are free from harmful substances.
- Industry Focus: Used in automotive, marine, healthcare, and furniture industries, with a strong reputation for quality.
Big Z Fabric Marine Vinyl
- Features:
- Affordability: Often more budget-friendly compared to premium brands like Morbern and Naugahyde.
- Customization: Big Z Fabric offers a wide range of marine vinyl products, including different colors, textures, and finishes.
- UV Resistance: Many of their marine vinyl products are UV-resistant, making them suitable for outdoor use where exposure to sunlight is a concern.
- Industry Focus: Primarily focused on marine applications but also used in other areas requiring durable and waterproof fabrics.
Big Z Fabric Marine Vinyl Advantages
- Price: Big Z Fabric is generally more affordable, making it a cost-effective option for budget-conscious projects.
- UV Resistance: Big Z Fabric’s marine vinyl often emphasizes UV resistance, crucial for outdoor marine applications.
