All answers to questions about Martindale
The colour of your new fabric, the overall appearance of your furniture, and the combination with the rest of your interior? If you’re going to choose a new fabric for your dining chair or sofa, many such factors are important..
But have you also thought about the strength of your fabric, i.e. the load that your fabric must be able to withstand to keep up? The Martindale score is a handy scale that shows how strong a certain substance is. In this blog we’ll tell you all about it!
Martindale score: what does it mean for your sofa or chair?
The Martindale score is the key benchmark when it comes to the durability of your fabric and, by extension, your seating furniture. But what exactly is the Martindale score, and how is it calculated? On this page, we explain everything you need to know and show you how to use this score when comparing fabrics.
What is the Martindale score?
The Martindale score shows how hard-wearing an upholstery fabric is. It is determined by testing how long a fabric can withstand friction. In general, the higher the score, the better the fabric is suited to intensive use. For a sofa or chair in your living or dining room, that is an important indication. The Martindale score is therefore a practical tool when comparing fabrics. The higher the score, the longer the fabric is likely to last and the more durable your choice will be.
How does the Martindale test work?
In the Martindale test, a fabric is mechanically exposed to repeated friction.
A standard material is rubbed against the fabric in circular movements.
This simulates what happens in practice when a piece of furniture is used intensively. During the test, the number of rubs the fabric can withstand before signs of wear become visible is measured. That point ultimately determines the fabric’s Martindale score.
In principle, the higher the number of movements, the more hard-wearing the fabric is. The test therefore gives a practical indication of how suitable a fabric is for daily use.
Which Martindale score suits your everyday use?
For daily use, a Martindale score of around 25,000 is often seen as a suitable minimum. For a sofa or chair that sees a great deal of everyday use, a higher score is usually the better choice. In that case, look at 30,000 to 50,000 Martindale or more.
That means choosing a fabric that is better able to withstand regular sitting, shifting and movement. It is worth knowing that virtually all Table’s Choice fabrics score well above 50,000. There is even a substantial group of fabrics with a score of 100,000+.
| Score | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 0 – 6,000 | Mainly suitable for decorative use or armchairs that are used infrequently. |
| 6,000 – 15,000 | Suitable for light use. |
| 15,000 – 40,000 | A good foundation for armchairs that are used regularly. |
| 40,000 – 75,000 | Suitable for intensive daily use. |
| 75,000 – 100K | Highly durable and suitable for armchairs that are used frequently. |
| 100K+ | Exceptionally durable, also suitable for very intensive use. |
What does this mean for Table du Sud fabrics?
Our Table’s Choice collection consists of fabrics with a high Martindale score. In our showrooms, you will find all available fabric samples as well as the corresponding Martindale scores.
You can be confident that we only offer fabrics for our furniture that are suited to daily, intensive use. That is how we choose quality and durability.
Unsure between a few fabrics? Order fabric samples and discover at home which one suits your space best.
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