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How long will it take for my fabric to be treated? Most finishes take from 3 to 5 days. Backing take one to two weeks. (see chart in Ordering Information) Do you accept credit cards? Yes! We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover What are the best fabrics to choose for flameproofing? 100% natural fibers respond best to flameproofing. These fibers accept the flame retardant readily and can be treated to meet the strictest codes. Synthetic fibers are more difficult to treat. Fibers such as nylon and acrylics do not accept the flame retardant chemical well and sometimes cannot be treated to meet certain fire codes. Are there any "good" synthetics? Yes, most Polyester and Rayon blends respond well to the treatment. Can Nylon and Acrylic upholstery fabrics be treated? Yes, you can get excellent results with a flame retardant backing. It's washable, dry cleanable, and it won't leave "rings" if a liquid spills on it. Nylons and acrylics are not recommended for drapery use. What kind of chemicals are used to flame retard my fabric? We use organic (non-salt) flame retardants. These chemicals are non-toxic, environmentally safe, and they give a much better appearance and hand to the fabric than salt base flame retardants. What are salts? Salt based flame retardants look very much like regular table salt in their undissolved form. They are extremely effective as flame retardants, but they can have negative effects on fabrics. They attract moisture. They cause stiffness and whiteout. They are acidic and can attack fabric dyes. They should only be used when absolutely necessary and then in small amounts. I have a commercial project. What fire code does the fabric need to meet? The location of the project will determine the fire code you must meet. Before specifying a finish, we recommend that you contact the local fire marshal in the area of the project, and he will tell you what fire codes must be met. If a fabric is sent to us without a specified fire code, we will treat the fabrics to our "in house" standards. Drapery fabrics are treated to meet NFPA 701. Upholstery weight fabrics are treated to meet NFPA 260/ UFAC. These are the most commonly specified and most universally accepted tests for drapery and upholstery fabrics. Should I specify the strictest code for all my fabrics, to be safe? No. If you "over specify" by requesting a standard that is higher than necessary, you may end up over treating your upholstery fabrics and that can cause problems. Specify only the code that is required. What about certificates? We issue a certificate for all flame retarded fabrics. If your project requires the fabric to meet a specific fire code, you must have a certificate of flame retardancy. Be sure that the certificate you receive actually states that your fabric meets the specified code. We have seen many examples of fabrics that have been treated and the customer believes that the certificate states that their fabric meets the requirements for the specified code. In reality, the certificate just says that the fabric has been treated with a chemical that once passed a test using a different fabric. This type of wording may protect the fabric finisher if there is a problem, but it won't help you. It is important that you build a relationship and trust your fabric finisher. What about stain protection? Is it really that good? Absolutely! Stain protection is the best investment you can make in your fabric. Our stain protection helps protect your fabric from spills. It also keeps dirt and grime out of the fibers. Over the long term, your fabric will last longer and look "newer" longer due to decreased rub resistance. Also, if you have your fabric flame retarded, a "Flame and Stain" protective finish will substantially improve the look and performance of your fabric. You can't see it...you can't feel it!!! What backing should I use for my fabric? The type of fabric and its application determines what kind of backing is best suited. We recommend a knit backing on all silks. We offer sample swatches on all our finishes for your inspection. We can also treat a sample of your fabric for approval. Call us and we will be happy to make a recommendation. What about silks? Our chemical formulation for silks is one of the most amazing flame retardants ever developed. It is virtually impossible to tell a treated sample from an untreated sample. Silks are fascinating fabrics. Some of the most beautiful fabrics in the world are made of silk. But, if you look closely, you'll see that they are often less than perfect in the way they are manufactured. People who are experienced with silks learn to overlook some of their imperfections...and by that I mean little creases, wrinkles, selvages that are extremely tight or extremely loose, shade changes, slub trends, misweaves...any number of interesting manufacturing "effects." When processing silks, we use equipment that is mechanically perfect. If there is a problem it is almost always a result of the inconsistencies in the fabric. The good news is that we have developed a number of techniques for processing silk that gives excellent results. As a general rule, very lightweight silk taffetas and dupiones present most of the challenges. Mid to heavy weight silks are excellent choices. Which is better - knit backing or acrylic latex backing? Our knit backing is specified by leading furniture manufacturers. Knit backing is generally preferred over acrylic backings for fine fabrics. Can I use vinyl lamination for outdoor fabrics? No. Vinylized fabrics are recommended for indoor use only. Outdoor furniture is subject to a variety of weather conditions. If moisture or humidity ever manages to get into a furniture cushion, the moisture will become sealed under the vinyl, creating a greenhouse effect. Is Schneider Textile affiliated with SBI? NO. SBI is not affiliated with Schneider Textile in any way. Note: If you have a question that was not answered on this page, please Contact Us and an answer will be posted shortly. |
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