Author: Lisa PARSONS

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Velvet Types Compared: Mohair, Cotton, Silk, Linen and Synthetic

Velvet Types Compared: A Complete Specifier’s Guide for Interior Designers and Architects

  • Most durable natural velvet: Mohair, 80,000 to 100,000 Martindale rubs
  • Contract fire standard: BS 5852 Crib 5, inherent in correctly certified mohair; topical treatment required for cotton, linen, and silk
  • Cleaning code: S (solvent only) for most natural velvets; W or WS for synthetic
  • Decorative use only: Silk velvet and cashmere velvet, not suitable for upholstery in regular use

Velvet is a construction method, not a fibre. A velvet fabric is produced by weaving two layers of cloth simultaneously with threads connecting them, then cutting those threads to create an upstanding pile. That pile can be made from almost any fibre, and the fibre is the primary determinant of specification performance, durability, fire rating, cleaning requirements, light fastness, and cost, alongside construction, pile density, and backing. Choosing between velvet types on aesthetic grounds alone is the most common specification error in interior design.

This guide compares the principal velvet types available to specifiers in the UK market across every dimension relevant to a professional specification. For a direct two-way comparison of the two most-specified natural velvets, see our mohair velvet vs cotton velvet guide. For background on the testing standards referenced throughout this guide, see our posts on the Martindale rub test, BS 5852 Crib 5 fire certification, and light fastness and the Blue Wool Scale.

How Velvet Is Made

Understanding the construction helps explain why fibre choice matters so much in velvet. In warp pile velvet, the pile yarns run along the length of the fabric and are woven over wires or rods. When the rods are withdrawn and the loops cut, a cut pile is formed. In double-cloth velvet, two fabrics are woven face to face simultaneously, joined by pile threads that are then cut to separate them and create pile on both faces. The resulting fabric has a distinct face and back, with the pile standing perpendicular to the base cloth.

The density and height of the pile, the twist of the pile yarn, and the weight and construction of the base cloth all affect performance. The most fundamental variable is the fibre from which the pile is made.

Mohair Velvet

Fibre origin: Hair of the Angora goat, primarily from South Africa and Turkey. South Africa produces more than half of the world’s mohair supply and is the global benchmark for quality. A long-staple, smooth, lustrous fibre with exceptional tensile strength.

Martindale rub count: 80,000 to 100,000 and above, depending on construction and pile density. Mohair velvet achieves the highest rub counts of any natural-fibre velvet and is the most reliably suitable natural-fibre velvet for heavy contract use. Kothea’s mohair velvet upholstery ranges are independently tested and achieve between 80,000 and 100,000 rubs across the active collections, measured to Martindale or Wyzenbeek depending on the range.

Fire rating: Mohair fibre, like wool, has natural flame-resistant properties arising from its high protein content. A correctly woven and constructed mohair velvet can achieve a BS 5852 Crib 5 pass without topical chemical treatment, depending on construction and backing. This is not universal across all mohair velvets and must be confirmed by an independent test certificate for the specific range. Kothea’s active mohair velvet ranges carry independently certified Crib 5 passes without topical treatment. Where this is confirmed, the certification does not depend on chemical coatings, is unaffected by cleaning, and does not alter the handle or appearance of the fabric.

Cleaning code: S. Dry-cleaning solvent only. Water applied to mohair velvet can cause watermarks and pile matting. For minor fresh stains, a barely dampened lint-free cloth worked in the direction of the pile is acceptable as a first response.

Light fastness: Varies by range and colourway. Suitable for most residential environments. For south-facing rooms, specify dark colourways or confirm the specific colourway grade with the supplier.

Pile appearance: High lustre with a characteristic directional sheen. The pile reflects light differently depending on viewing angle and pile direction, producing the depth of colour associated with luxury upholstery velvet.

Suitable applications: Heavy contract upholstery including hotel seating, restaurant banquettes, theatre and hospitality seating, residential sofas and chairs, headboards, cushions, and curtains.

Not recommended for: High-light environments without confirming the colourway grade. Outdoor or semi-outdoor use. Applications requiring machine washing.

Cost position: Premium.

Cotton Velvet

Fibre origin: Cotton plant. A short-staple natural cellulose fibre, widely grown and relatively inexpensive.

Martindale rub count: 20,000 to 60,000 depending on construction, pile density, and backing. Cotton velvet varies enormously in quality. A well-constructed heavyweight cotton velvet can achieve sufficient durability for general domestic and light contract use. A thin, loosely woven cotton velvet intended for curtains or cushions may achieve 10,000 rubs or fewer. Always confirm the specific Martindale figure for the range you are specifying.

Fire rating: Topical treatment required. Cotton fibre does not pass BS 5852 Crib 5 inherently. A back-coating of flame-retardant chemicals must be applied before use in contract environments. See our complete guide to Crib 5 for detail on inherent versus topical certification. For the risk of dye colour change after FR treatment, see our dye types and FR treatment guide.

Cleaning code: S or WS depending on the specific range. Cotton velvet treated with a back-coating for Crib 5 may require solvent-only cleaning to avoid degrading the treatment.

Light fastness: Grade 4 to 5 typically with standard reactive dyes.

Pile appearance: Matte to semi-matte. Cotton pile lacks the lustre of mohair and does not produce the same directional sheen.

Suitable applications: Domestic upholstery, cushions, curtains, and headboards.

Not recommended for: Heavy contract use without FR treatment and independent testing. High-humidity environments.

Cost position: Mid-range. Cotton velvet is typically less expensive than mohair at equivalent pile weights but requires the additional cost of FR treatment for contract use.

Silk Velvet

Fibre origin: Cocoon of the silkworm Bombyx mori. Silk is a continuous filament natural protein fibre of exceptional fineness and lustre.

Martindale rub count: Below 15,000 in most cases. Natural silk is the weakest of the natural-fibre velvets in abrasion terms. Silk velvet is decorative fabric, not upholstery fabric in the contract sense of the word.

Fire rating: Topical treatment is possible for domestic standards but silk velvet cannot reliably achieve a full Crib 5 pass for contract use.

Cleaning code: S. Dry-clean only. Silk is highly water-sensitive.

Light fastness: Grade 2 to 4 typically. Silk velvet should not be used in rooms with significant natural light exposure. See our light fastness guide for full context.

Pile appearance: The most lustrous of all velvet pile types.

Suitable applications: Decorative cushions, occasional chairs in low-use residential rooms, curtains in low-light environments, bed throws.

Not recommended for: Any contract application. South-facing rooms.

Cost position: High to very high.

Linen Velvet

Fibre origin: Flax plant. Linen is a bast fibre extracted from the stalk of the flax plant.

Martindale rub count: 15,000 to 25,000 typically. Kothea’s Linen Velvet achieves 20,000 Martindale rubs with a SI 1324 cigarette test pass.

Fire rating: Not inherently Crib 5. For contract use, FR treatment or a Schedule 3 interliner is required.

Cleaning code: S or WS. Confirm on the data sheet.

Light fastness: Grade 4 to 5 with standard reactive dyes.

Pile appearance: Matte. Linen velvet has a distinctly textural, natural surface character.

Suitable applications: Domestic upholstery, curtains, cushions, decorative headboards.

Not recommended for: Heavy contract use. High-humidity environments.

Cost position: Mid-range.

Cashmere and Cashmere-Silk Velvet

Fibre origin: Undercoat of the Himalayan Cashmere goat.

Martindale rub count: Low. Cashmere fibre is too fine and too short-staple to produce velvet with meaningful abrasion resistance for upholstery use. Kothea’s Cashmere Silk Velvet is specified for curtains only.

Fire rating: Topical treatment is technically possible but the handle and appearance of cashmere velvet are typically altered by the coating process.

Cleaning code: S. Dry-clean only.

Light fastness: Moderate. Cashmere is a protein fibre and susceptible to UV degradation.

Pile appearance: Extraordinarily soft handle with a subtle, fine lustre.

Suitable applications: Curtains, decorative cushions, bed throws, accent pieces in low-use residential rooms.

Not recommended for: Upholstery of any kind in regular use. Contract environments.

Cost position: Very high.

Synthetic Velvet: Trevira CS and Polyester

Fibre origin: Petrochemical derivatives. Trevira CS is a branded inherently fire-retardant polyester fibre manufactured in Germany.

Martindale rub count: High. Synthetic velvet typically achieves 50,000 to 150,000 Martindale rubs depending on construction.

Fire rating: Trevira CS is inherently flame-retardant. The flame retardancy is a permanent property of the polyester polymer and survives cleaning.

Cleaning code: W or WS typically.

Light fastness: Grade 6 to 7 typically. Solution-dyed synthetic velvet achieves the highest light fastness ratings available in velvet form.

Pile appearance: Varies considerably by construction.

Suitable applications: Contract upholstery where fire certification and durability are the primary requirements. Healthcare environments. Transport seating.

Not recommended for: Ultra-luxury residential briefs where natural fibre handle and appearance are client requirements.

Cost position: Lower to mid-range.

Alpaca Velvet

Fibre origin: Fleece of the South American alpaca.

Martindale rub count: 20,000 to 40,000 typically, depending on construction.

Fire rating: Alpaca is a natural protein fibre with moderate inherent fire resistance, but cannot be assumed to pass BS 5852 Crib 5 without specific independent testing. Request the test certificate from the supplier.

Cleaning code: S typically.

Light fastness: Grade 4 to 5 with standard acid dyes.

Pile appearance: Soft and slightly matte with a gentle natural lustre.

Suitable applications: Luxury residential upholstery, cushions, and occasional seating.

Not recommended for: Heavy contract use.

Cost position: High.

Specification Summary by Application

For heavy contract upholstery in hotels, restaurants, bars, and hospitality environments, mohair velvet with an independently certified Crib 5 pass achieved without topical treatment, and a rub count of 80,000 or above, is the most reliable natural-fibre specification. Synthetic Trevira CS velvet is the alternative where budget or client preference for machine-cleanable fabric applies.

For residential upholstery in moderate-use rooms, cotton velvet at 25,000 to 40,000 Martindale rubs is a sound mid-range specification. Linen velvet at 20,000 rubs suits briefs requiring a natural textural aesthetic.

For decorative applications, cushions, and occasional chairs in low-use rooms, silk velvet, cashmere velvet, or alpaca velvet are appropriate where budget allows and the client accepts the care requirements.

For south-facing rooms or high-light environments, confirm the specific ISO 105-B02 grade before specifying any velvet. Mohair in dark colourways, synthetic velvet, and solution-dyed fabrics offer the most reliable light fastness performance.

Quick answers

What is the most durable velvet for contract upholstery?
Mohair velvet is the most durable natural-fibre velvet for contract upholstery, achieving Martindale rub counts of 80,000 to 100,000 depending on construction. It also carries an inherent BS 5852 Crib 5 fire rating without topical treatment, making it the only natural-fibre velvet that meets both the durability and fire certification requirements of most UK contract environments without additional cost or treatment. High-specification synthetic velvet using Trevira CS fibre can achieve comparable or higher rub counts and also carries inherent fire resistance, at a lower cost but with a different aesthetic.


What is the difference between mohair velvet and cotton velvet?
Mohair velvet is made from the hair of the Angora goat and achieves Martindale rub counts of 80,000 to 100,000 with an inherent Crib 5 fire rating. Cotton velvet is made from cotton fibre and typically achieves 20,000 to 60,000 Martindale rubs depending on construction, with no inherent Crib 5 rating. Cotton velvet requires topical FR treatment for contract use. Mohair velvet has a characteristic directional sheen and depth of colour that cotton velvet does not replicate.


Can silk velvet be used for upholstery?
Silk velvet is not suitable for upholstery in regular use. It typically achieves fewer than 15,000 Martindale rubs, which places it in the decorative category unsuitable for seating. Silk is also highly photosensitive, with a light fastness grade of 2 to 4, meaning it will fade in rooms with natural light exposure. Silk velvet cannot reliably achieve a BS 5852 Crib 5 certification for contract use.


Does mohair velvet have an inherent Crib 5 fire rating?
Mohair fibre has natural flame-resistant properties and a correctly woven mohair velvet can achieve a BS 5852 Crib 5 pass without topical chemical treatment, depending on construction and backing. This is not guaranteed for all mohair velvets by fibre type alone and must be confirmed by an independent test certificate for the specific range. Kothea’s active mohair velvet ranges carry independently certified Crib 5 passes without topical treatment. This distinguishes correctly certified mohair velvet from cotton, linen, and silk velvets, all of which require topical treatment to achieve Crib 5.


What velvet is best for south-facing rooms?
For south-facing rooms, specify velvet with an ISO 105-B02 light fastness grade of at least 6. Mohair velvet in dark colourways generally performs better than light colourways; confirm the grade for the specific colourway. Synthetic velvet and solution-dyed fabrics typically achieve grade 6 to 7. Silk velvet and cashmere velvet should not be specified for south-facing rooms. Cotton and linen velvet achieve grade 4 to 5, which is borderline for sustained south-facing exposure.


What is the difference between cut pile velvet and uncut pile velvet?
In cut pile velvet the pile loops are cut during production, producing upstanding individual fibres that create the characteristic dense, soft surface. In uncut pile or loop pile velvet the loops remain intact, producing a harder, more textural surface. Most upholstery velvet is cut pile. Some decorative velvets combine cut and uncut areas to create pattern, known as ciselé or voided velvet.


How do I clean velvet upholstery without damaging the pile?
The cleaning method depends on the cleaning code assigned to the specific fabric. Most velvet upholstery is coded S, meaning solvent-based dry-cleaning agents only. Water applied to an S-coded velvet can cause watermarks and permanent pile distortion. Always work in the direction of the pile when applying any cleaning agent or brushing.


Is linen velvet suitable for contract upholstery?
Linen velvet is suitable for light contract use, subject to FR treatment and confirmation of the Martindale rub count for the specific range. A well-constructed linen velvet at 20,000 Martindale rubs meets the minimum threshold for general contract use. However, linen velvet does not pass BS 5852 Crib 5 inherently and requires topical treatment or an appropriate interliner for contract environments.

For velvet specification in hotel and hospitality projects, see our hotel fabric specification guide. For velvet on walls and headboards, see our wall panels and headboards guide. For when velvet is the wrong choice, see our when not to use velvet guide. For pilling resistance by velvet type, see our pilling resistance guide. For mohair thermal properties in hospitality, see our mohair thermal properties guide. For colour fastness and crocking, and for how to name and specify colour precisely, see our colour fastness and crocking guide and colour naming and specification guide.

For full specification data including Martindale rub counts, fire ratings, and light fastness grades by range, see the mohair velvet upholstery page and the silks page. To compare every KOTHEA velvet range side by side, see our velvet upholstery fabric page.

For guidance on using velvet as an acoustic treatment in home studios and music rooms, see our fabric for home studio acoustics guide.

For the full specification library organised by environment, application, and performance need, see our fabric buying guide by purpose.

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Light Fastness and the Blue Wool Scale: Fabric Specification Guide

Light fastness is a fabric’s resistance to fading when exposed to light. For interior designers, it is one of the most practically consequential specifications you will make. A fabric that fades within two years in a south-facing room represents a specification failure regardless of how well it performs on every other measure. This guide explains how light fastness is tested, what the Blue Wool Scale grades mean, which grades to specify for different applications, and how light fastness interacts with fibre type, dye method, and room orientation.

This is the third in a series of technical specification guides from Kothea. The first covers the Martindale rub test and the second covers BS 5852 Crib 5 fire certification.
For why velvet in pale colourways in south-facing rooms is a specific light fastness risk, see our when not to use velvet guide. For colour naming, systems, and metamerism, see our colour naming and specification guide. For the companion test covering dye transfer and crocking, see our colour fastness and crocking guide.

What Light Fastness Means

Light fastness measures how much a fabric’s colour changes when exposed to light. It is not the same as colour fastness generally, which covers a broader range of stressors including washing, rubbing, and perspiration. Light fastness specifically measures the effect of ultraviolet and visible light on the dye or pigment within a fabric.

Fading occurs when light energy breaks down the chemical bonds in a dye molecule, altering its ability to absorb and reflect specific wavelengths of light. The result is a shift in the perceived colour of the fabric, which may manifest as bleaching, yellowing, or a change in hue depending on the dye type and fibre.

The speed and extent of fading depends on the fibre type, the class of dye used, the dyeing method, the intensity and spectrum of light the fabric is exposed to, and the presence of UV filtering in the glazing of the windows in the room.

Light fastness should not be confused with shade change in velvet, which is the apparent change in colour caused by pile being pushed in different directions through use. Shade change is a mechanical phenomenon and is not related to dye degradation or light exposure.

How the Test Works

The standard test for light fastness in the United Kingdom and Europe is ISO 105-B02: Colour Fastness to Artificial Light: Xenon Arc Fading Lamp Test. The fabric specimen is placed in a controlled chamber and exposed to a xenon arc lamp, which produces a spectrum of light representative of natural daylight at the D65 standard illuminant. This simulates the conditions of a south-facing interior window.

The specimen is assessed at intervals by comparing the degree of colour change against a set of eight reference fabrics known as blue wool references, numbered 1 to 8. These references are produced and calibrated by specialist manufacturers such as James Heal, who supply accredited test houses worldwide. Each blue wool reference is dyed with a different dye to produce a known and calibrated resistance to fading. Blue wool 1 is the most fugitive and blue wool 8 is the most resistant. Each successive reference is approximately twice as resistant to fading as the previous one, giving the scale a geometric rather than linear progression. The difference between grade 5 and grade 6 represents twice the resistance of grade 4 to grade 5, not an equal step.

The result awarded to the fabric is the number of the blue wool reference that most closely matches the degree of fading shown by the test specimen. A fabric rated at grade 5 has faded to a degree equivalent to blue wool reference 5 under the same exposure conditions.

The Blue Wool Scale: What Each Grade Means

Grade 1 indicates very poor light fastness. The fabric will fade rapidly under even moderate light exposure. No upholstery or curtain fabric should be specified at this grade.

Grade 2 indicates poor light fastness. Significant fading is expected within a short period. Not suitable for any interior application where appearance durability matters.

Grade 3 indicates moderate light fastness. Acceptable only for very low-light environments with no direct sunlight exposure. Not recommended for curtains or upholstery in standard residential or contract use.

Grade 4 indicates good light fastness and is the recognised minimum for interior furnishing fabrics. Suitable for residential upholstery and curtains in rooms with indirect or limited natural light. Not recommended for south-facing rooms with large glazed areas or for high-light contract environments.

Grade 5 indicates very good light fastness and is the recommended minimum for most residential upholstery and curtain specifications. Suitable for rooms with moderate natural light including east and west-facing rooms.

Grade 6 indicates excellent light fastness and is recommended for south-facing rooms, high-light residential environments, and standard contract interiors including hotels and restaurants.

Grade 7 indicates very high light fastness. Recommended for environments with prolonged or intense light exposure including glazed atriums, conservatories, and south-facing hospitality spaces.

Grade 8 indicates the maximum achievable light fastness and is reserved for the most demanding light environments including marine, semi-outdoor, and direct sunlight applications.

Specification Thresholds by Application

For residential upholstery in rooms with limited or indirect natural light, grade 4 is the minimum acceptable threshold. For residential upholstery in rooms with moderate natural light, specify grade 5 or above. For south-facing rooms or rooms with large glazed areas, specify grade 6 or above. For contract upholstery in hotels, restaurants, and offices with standard glazing, specify grade 5 as a minimum with grade 6 preferred. For glazed atriums, hotel lobbies with skylights, or any environment with prolonged daylight exposure, specify grade 6 to 7.

For curtains, the same grading applies but the exposure is usually more direct and more sustained than for upholstery. A curtain fabric in a south-facing room should be specified at grade 6 or above regardless of whether the curtains are habitually closed or drawn.

For marine, yacht, or semi-outdoor applications, grade 7 to 8 is the appropriate range and specialist outdoor-rated fabrics should be specified rather than standard interior upholstery fabric.

The Effect of Room Orientation

Room orientation is one of the most underspecified variables in fabric selection. A north-facing room in the UK receives no direct sunlight at any time of year, and a grade 4 or 5 fabric is typically adequate. An east-facing room receives direct morning sun for a limited period. A west-facing room receives afternoon sun, which can be intense in summer. A south-facing room receives direct sunlight throughout the day from spring through autumn, with peak UV intensity between midday and 3pm.

The difference in light exposure between a north-facing and south-facing room in London over a twelve-month period is very significant. A grade 4 fabric that performs adequately in a north-facing study may show visible fading within eighteen months in a south-facing drawing room.

Always ask the client which direction the principal windows face and factor that into the light fastness requirement before specifying.

Fibre Type and Dye Method

Not all fibres accept dyes equally, and not all dyes are equally resistant to light degradation. The light fastness of a fabric is a product of both.

Silk is the most photosensitive natural fibre. Silk dyes are chemically susceptible to UV degradation, and silk fabrics typically achieve lower light fastness ratings than wool, cotton, or linen. Silk and silk velvet should be specified with caution in high-light environments, and the client should be advised of this limitation explicitly before specification is finalised.

Wool and mohair accept reactive and acid dyes that can achieve good light fastness ratings when correctly selected. Well-dyed wool upholstery fabrics typically achieve grade 5 to 6. Mohair, being a wool-derived fibre, has similar dye chemistry. Darker colourways generally achieve higher light fastness grades because a greater proportion of colour loss is required before a visual change becomes perceptible.

Cotton and linen typically achieve moderate light fastness with standard reactive dyes. Pre-washed and solution-dyed cotton and linen can achieve higher grades depending on the dyestuff selection.

Polyester is inherently more resistant to UV degradation than natural fibres and typically achieves grades 6 to 7. Solution-dyed polyester, where colour is introduced into the fibre during extrusion rather than applied to the surface after weaving, achieves the highest light fastness ratings of any standard interior fabric and is appropriate for the most demanding high-light or semi-outdoor applications.

PVC and PU faux leathers are treated with UV-stabilising additives during manufacture and typically achieve high light fastness ratings. However, UV degradation of the substrate itself can cause surface cracking and loss of surface texture independent of colour change, which is a separate consideration for high-light environments.

What Light Fastness Does Not Measure

The ISO 105-B02 test measures colour change under controlled artificial light. It does not measure the effect of UV-filtering glass, which can significantly reduce UV exposure in modern double or triple-glazed windows. It does not measure the effect of cleaning on dye stability, which is covered by separate fastness tests. It does not predict how a specific fabric will behave in a specific room, because actual exposure varies by latitude, season, window orientation, glazing specification, and curtain or blind usage.

Low-e glazing and UV-blocking film can substantially reduce the UV component of light entering a room, extending the effective service life of a fabric beyond what the grade alone would suggest. If a client is refurbishing a property with high-specification glazing, this should be factored into the specification conversation.

Light Fastness and Crocking

Light fastness should not be confused with crocking, which is the transfer of dye from a fabric surface to another material through rubbing or friction. Crocking is measured by a separate test and graded on a different scale of 1 to 5. A fabric with good light fastness may still crock, particularly when wet.

For dark-coloured velvets in upholstery applications, crocking is a relevant concern particularly where light-coloured clothing is likely. Always check the crocking rating as well as the light fastness grade when specifying dark velvets for seating.

Kothea and Light Fastness

Light fastness varies by range and colourway across the Kothea collection. Contact Kothea to confirm the ISO 105-B02 grade for a specific colourway before finalising a specification.

For high-light environments, colourway selection is material. A dark colourway at grade 5 to 6 will outperform a pale colourway at grade 4 to 5 in a south-facing room. If the client’s brief requires a pale colourway in a south-facing room, this should be discussed explicitly and the light fastness limitation acknowledged before specification is finalised.

For specification data across the Kothea mohair range, see the mohair velvet upholstery page or contact Kothea directly.

How to Specify Light Fastness

Ask the supplier for the ISO 105-B02 grade and confirm whether the test was carried out by an independent third party laboratory or self-declared by the supplier. Self-declared ratings without an independent test certificate should not be relied upon for contract projects.

State the required minimum grade in your specification as a labelled field. For example: Light fastness minimum grade 5 to ISO 105-B02. This makes the requirement explicit and verifiable.

Where the project involves south-facing rooms, large glazed areas, or a light-sensitive colourway, note this in your specification and confirm with the supplier that the grade applies to the specific colourway being ordered. Light fastness can vary between colourways within the same range, particularly between light and dark shades.

Quick answers

What light fastness grade do I need for a south-facing room?
For a south-facing room in the UK, specify a minimum of grade 6 to ISO 105-B02 for both upholstery and curtain fabrics. South-facing rooms receive direct sunlight throughout the day from spring through autumn, which represents the most demanding light exposure condition in standard residential interiors. Grade 4, the minimum for interior furnishing fabrics generally, is insufficient for sustained south-facing exposure and will show visible fading within one to two years in most cases. If the glazing incorporates UV-blocking film or low-e coating, this will extend fabric performance, but grade 6 remains the appropriate specification baseline regardless of glazing.

What does a Blue Wool Scale grade of 5 mean for upholstery fabric?
A Blue Wool Scale grade of 5, tested to ISO 105-B02, means the fabric’s colour has faded to a degree equivalent to blue wool reference 5 under controlled xenon arc light exposure. Grade 5 is the recommended minimum for most residential upholstery specifications and is appropriate for rooms with moderate natural light including east and west-facing rooms. It is not recommended for south-facing rooms with large windows, where grade 6 is the appropriate minimum. Each grade on the scale represents approximately twice the light resistance of the grade below it, so the difference between grade 5 and grade 6 is significant rather than marginal.

Does silk fabric fade faster than other upholstery fabrics?
Yes. Silk is the most photosensitive of the natural upholstery fibres and typically achieves lower ISO 105-B02 grades than wool, mohair, cotton, or linen under equivalent conditions. The dyes used on silk are chemically more susceptible to UV degradation. Silk velvet and silk upholstery fabrics should not be specified for rooms receiving significant natural light without an explicit conversation with the client about this limitation. For high-light environments, mohair velvet or solution-dyed synthetic fabrics are more appropriate choices.

What is the light fastness rating of Kothea mohair velvet?
Light fastness for Kothea mohair velvet varies by range and colourway. For south-facing rooms, dark colourways generally hold their colour better than light colourways. Contact Kothea to confirm the grade applicable to a specific colourway before finalising your specification.

Can UV-blocking glazing improve the effective light fastness performance of a fabric?
Yes. Modern low-e glazing and dedicated UV-blocking film reduce the UV component of light entering a room, which is the primary driver of dye degradation in interior fabrics. A fabric at grade 5 installed behind UV-blocking glazing will typically outlast the same fabric at grade 5 behind standard single glazing by a considerable margin. However, UV-blocking glazing does not eliminate UV exposure entirely, and the ISO 105-B02 grade should still be specified at the appropriate level for the room orientation. Treat the glazing specification as a factor that extends fabric performance, not as a substitute for adequate light fastness in the fabric itself.

What is the difference between light fastness and colour fastness?
Light fastness is a specific type of colour fastness that measures resistance to fading caused by light exposure, tested to ISO 105-B02 and graded on the Blue Wool Scale from 1 to 8. Colour fastness is a broader term covering resistance to colour change or transfer from a range of stressors including washing, rubbing (crocking), perspiration, and dry cleaning, each tested to a separate standard within the ISO 105 series and graded on a scale of 1 to 5. A fabric can have excellent light fastness and poor crocking resistance, or vice versa. For contract upholstery, both light fastness to ISO 105-B02 and crocking resistance should be checked and specified independently.

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BS 5852 Crib 5: Complete Guide for Upholstery Specification

Brown faux leather chair from April Hamilton

BS 5852 Crib 5 is the fire safety standard required for most contract upholstery in the United Kingdom. If you are specifying fabric for a hotel, restaurant, bar, office, healthcare environment, or any other commercial interior, Crib 5 compliance is the baseline expectation. This guide explains what the standard is, how the test works, the critical difference between inherent and topical certification, and how to specify correctly. For dye types and FR treatment compatibility — which dyes cause fading after treatment — see our dye types and FR treatment guide. For colour fastness and crocking specification, see our colour fastness and crocking guide. For hotel and hospitality projects see our hotel fabric specification guide. For wall panel and headboard applications, a different standard applies: see our guide to fabric for wall panels and headboards.For projects involving yachts or commercial vessels, a separate framework applies: see our guide to IMO marine fire standards for yacht interiors.

What Crib 5 Is

Crib 5 is shorthand for BS 5852 Ignition Source 5. BS 5852, titled Methods of Test for Assessment of the Ignitability of Upholstered Seating, is the British Standard that defines how upholstered furniture materials must behave when exposed to ignition sources of increasing intensity. The standard defines eight ignition source levels. The three that matter most in practice are Source 0 (a smouldering cigarette), Source 1 (a small flame equivalent to a lit match), and Source 5, which is the Crib 5 test.

The name comes from the wooden structure used as the ignition source. A crib is a small lattice of dry timber pieces, stacked five tiers high, weighing approximately 17 grams. The number 5 refers to the number of tiers. The crib is placed on the upholstery assembly and ignited. The test is designed to simulate an ignition event more intense than a match flame, comparable to a burning pile of paper, and is the realistic minimum for contract environments where furniture may be exposed to more severe ignition risks than a smouldering cigarette.

The Three-Stage Test

BS 5852 Crib 5 is not a single test in isolation. To achieve a Crib 5 certification, a fabric must first pass both the cigarette test (Source 0) and the match test (Source 1). Only materials that pass both of these lower-level tests are eligible to proceed to the Crib 5 stage. A material that fails the cigarette or match test cannot be certified to Crib 5 regardless of how it performs under the wooden crib.

For more detail on the cigarette and match stages of BS 5852, see our guide to how FR treatment works.

In the cigarette test, a smouldering cigarette is placed in the crease between the seat and back of the upholstered test rig. The material must show no ignition and no progressive smouldering.

In the match test, a small burner flame is held against the upholstery for 20 seconds. The material must self-extinguish immediately and show no spread of flame.

In the Crib 5 test, the lit wooden crib is placed on the upholstered assembly. All flaming must cease within 10 minutes. The fire must not spread beyond defined limits or penetrate the filling material. There must be no self-sustaining smouldering after the crib has burned out.

The Composite Nature of the Test

This is the point most frequently misunderstood in specification. BS 5852 does not test the fabric in isolation. It tests the full composite assembly: the fabric cover, the foam or filling, and any interliner, all as they would be used together in the finished piece of furniture.

A fabric that achieves Crib 5 certification in one configuration with a specific foam may not achieve it when applied over a different foam. A certificate from a fabric supplier confirms the fabric was tested in a specific configuration. If the foam or filling used in your project differs from the foam used in the test, the certificate may not be valid for your application.

Always confirm with your fabric supplier the exact configuration under which the Crib 5 test was conducted, including the foam specification, before relying on that certificate for a contract project.

Inherent Versus Topical Certification

The single most important distinction in specifying a Crib 5 fabric is whether the certification is inherent or achieved through topical treatment. The practical consequences are significant.

Inherent Crib 5 means the fire resistance is a property of the fibre itself. The yarn from which the fabric is woven is non-combustible or self-extinguishing by its nature, independent of any chemical application. Mohair velvet is the primary example in the Kothea range. Mohair fibre is inherently resistant to ignition, and a correctly woven mohair velvet carries an inherent Crib 5 pass without any treatment being applied. The certification is permanent, unaffected by cleaning, does not alter the handle or surface appearance of the fabric, and carries no additional cost for FR treatment.

Topical or back-coated treatment is applied to a fabric that is not inherently fire resistant. The fabric passes through a bath of fire-retardant chemicals, which are bonded to the reverse of the fabric through a coating process. The resulting fabric can achieve a Crib 5 pass, but with three important caveats.

First, the BS 5852 standard requires a water-soak test as part of full certification. The fabric is soaked in water to simulate cleaning and then retested. Many fabrics that pass the dry Crib 5 test fail after the water-soak stage. An indicative test without the water-soak is not a complete Crib 5 certificate. Do not rely on an indicative certificate for contract projects without confirming with the client and fire officer that it is acceptable.

Second, the coating process can affect the appearance and handle of certain fabrics. Pile fabrics such as velvets are particularly susceptible. Immersion or back-coating can flatten the pile, stiffen the handle, or leave residue on the face of the fabric. This is one of the reasons mohair velvet with an inherent pass is preferable for contract use over cotton or linen velvet that requires treatment.

Third, a topically treated fabric may need re-treatment if cleaned by a method that degrades the coating. Professional cleaning must use methods compatible with the treatment. Confirm the appropriate cleaning regime with the treatment provider before specifying.

For a detailed guide to the treatment process and the difference between Crib 5 and BS 7176, see our guide to how FR treatment works.

BS 7176 and Hazard Categories

BS 7176, Specification for Resistance to Ignition of Upholstered Furniture for Non-Domestic Seating, extends the BS 5852 framework by categorising different commercial environments into hazard levels and specifying the appropriate ignition source requirement for each.

Low hazard covers environments such as offices. Medium hazard covers hotels, theatres, and healthcare waiting areas. High and extreme hazard cover environments such as prisons, secure psychiatric units, and offshore installations.

For most hospitality and commercial interiors the relevant category is Medium Hazard, and the standard associated with it is effectively Crib 5. The practical difference between specifying to BS 5852 Crib 5 and specifying to BS 7176 Medium Hazard is that BS 7176 includes the water-soak stage explicitly and requires the certificate to document the specific end-use environment and foam specification. In complex or sensitive projects, specifying BS 7176 Medium Hazard rather than simply Crib 5 gives a more complete and defensible specification. The treatment applied to achieve both is the same.

When Crib 7 Is Required

Crib 7 follows the same principle as Crib 5 but uses a larger wooden crib, seven tiers high and approximately 126 grams against Crib 5’s 17 grams, producing a more intense ignition source. It is required in high and extreme hazard environments: primarily prisons, secure psychiatric units, and some offshore or industrial installations. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 assigns responsibility for determining the appropriate hazard category to the responsible person managing the building, not to the designer or fabric supplier. If a project falls into a high hazard category, engage a specialist fire safety consultant before specifying.

Crib 5 fabric, when combined with an appropriate FR foam, can sometimes achieve a Crib 7 pass as a composite. This must be verified by testing and documented with the relevant certificate. Do not assume that a Crib 5 fabric will achieve Crib 7 without independent testing.

Curtain Fabrics and the Different Standard

BS 5852 applies to upholstery. Curtain fabrics are governed by a separate standard, BS 5867, which tests vertical hanging fabrics rather than upholstered composites. The two standards are not interchangeable. A curtain fabric certified to BS 5867 is not automatically suitable for upholstery use, and a Crib 5 certified upholstery fabric is not automatically certified for use as a curtain in a contract environment. Always confirm the correct standard for the specific application before specifying.

Kothea Fabrics and Crib 5

Mohair velvet from Kothea carries an inherent BS 5852 Crib 5 pass across all active mohair velvet ranges. The inherent certification means no treatment is required, no additional cost is incurred, the certification survives cleaning, and the handle and surface of the fabric are unaffected. The primary Mohair Velvet range achieves 100,000 Martindale rubs alongside its inherent Crib 5 certification, combining contract-grade durability with the highest fire safety standard for most commercial projects.

Faux Leather 3 from Kothea carries a BS 5852 Crib 5 certification alongside a Martindale rub count in excess of 200,000, making it among the most specification-complete fabrics available for severe contract environments including transport seating, healthcare, and hospitality.

Cotton velvet requires topical treatment to achieve a Crib 5 pass and is not supplied by Kothea with an inherent certification.

How to Specify Correctly

State the standard in full. Ask for BS 5852 Ignition Source 5 (Crib 5), not just Crib 5. The full reference removes ambiguity.

Confirm inherent or topical. Ask the supplier explicitly whether the certification is inherent to the fibre or achieved through topical treatment. If topical, ask whether the full water-soak test was completed and request the certificate confirming it.

Confirm the composite configuration. Ask which foam was used in the test. If your project uses a different foam, the certificate may not cover your specific application.

Use a UKAS-accredited treatment house. If your project requires a fabric to be treated, specify that treatment must be carried out by a UKAS-accredited company. This ensures the process is correctly executed and independently verifiable.

Request the full test certificate. An indicative result is not a certificate. For contract projects, require the independent test certificate before the fabric is upholstered.

Consider BS 7176 for complex environments. For hotel bedrooms, healthcare, or any environment where the hazard category is uncertain, specifying BS 7176 Medium Hazard rather than Crib 5 alone provides a more defensible specification at no additional treatment cost.

Quick answers

What is BS 5852?
BS 5852 is the British Standard that tests the ignitability of upholstered seating. It defines eight ignition source levels, from a smouldering cigarette (Source 0) up to larger wooden crib sources. Crib 5 is BS 5852 Ignition Source 5, the level required for most UK contract upholstery. The standard tests the full composite of fabric, filling, and interliner together, not the fabric alone.


Is BS 5852 the same as BS 7176?
No, though they are related. BS 5852 is the test method for the ignition sources, including Crib 5. BS 7176 is the specification standard for non-domestic seating that references BS 5852, groups commercial environments into hazard categories, adds the water-soak stage explicitly, and requires the certificate to document the end-use environment and foam. For most hotel and contract projects, BS 7176 Medium Hazard is the more complete specification, achieved with the same treatment as Crib 5.


What is a BS 5852 Crib 5 certificate?
A BS 5852 Crib 5 certificate confirms that a specific composite of fabric and filling passed the cigarette, match, and Crib 5 wooden crib tests, including the water-soak stage for full certification. The certificate is valid only for the fabric and foam combination tested. An indicative test without the water-soak is not a full certificate. For contract projects, require the independent certificate from a UKAS-accredited laboratory before the fabric is upholstered.


Does a fabric need to be treated to pass BS 5852 Crib 5?
Not always. Fabrics with inherent fire resistance, such as mohair velvet, pass BS 5852 Crib 5 without any topical treatment because the resistance is a property of the fibre. Fabrics that are not inherently fire resistant, such as cotton or linen velvet, require topical back-coating treatment to achieve a pass. Inherent certification is permanent, survives cleaning, and does not alter the handle, whereas topical treatment can degrade with cleaning and may affect the appearance of pile fabrics.

For surface spread of flame requirements for wall and ceiling linings — a separate standard from Crib 5 — see our BS 476 Part 7 guide.

For fabric sustainability certifications including GOTS and Oeko-Tex, see our fabric sustainability certifications guide. For healthcare fire standards including BS 7176, see our healthcare fabric guide.

For how the Building Safety Act 2022 affects fabric fire certification documentation in higher-risk buildings, see our Building Safety Act and fabric specification guide.

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The Martindale Rub Test: Complete Guide for Upholstery Specification

The Martindale rub test is the UK and European standard for measuring how much abrasion an upholstery fabric can withstand before it wears out. This guide explains what the test measures, what each rub-count classification means, and how to specify the right figure for a project.

What the Martindale Test Is

The Martindale test is a standardised method for measuring a fabric’s resistance to abrasion. It simulates the wear a fabric experiences in normal use on upholstered furniture by rubbing a fabric sample against a standard abrasive surface under controlled conditions and counting how many cycles the fabric can withstand before showing visible signs of deterioration.

The result is expressed as a number of rubs or cycles, always reported in multiples of 5,000. The higher the number, the more resistant the fabric is to abrasion, and the more suitable it is for demanding applications.

The test is defined under the international standard BS EN ISO 12947, which has four parts covering the testing apparatus, determination of specimen breakdown, determination of mass loss, and assessment of appearance change. Part 2, the determination of specimen breakdown, is the most commonly cited in fabric specifications.

A Brief History

The test takes its name from J.G. Martindale, who developed the method in 1942 at the Wool Industries Research Association, known as WIRA, for wartime research into gas-protection fabrics. It was not originally designed for upholstery. Its application to furniture and interior textiles came later, as the method proved to be a reliable and repeatable way of measuring abrasion resistance across a wide range of fabric types. It was adopted as a British Standard and subsequently incorporated into the European and international standards framework as BS EN ISO 12947. Today it is used by fabric manufacturers, test houses, and specifiers across the UK, Europe, and internationally as the benchmark for upholstery durability.

How the Test Works

A circular sample of the fabric under test, 140mm in diameter, is mounted face-down in a specimen holder on the lower plate of the Martindale machine. A foam backing is placed behind the sample to simulate the padding of upholstered furniture. A smaller disc of worsted wool fabric, 38mm in diameter, is mounted on the upper plate as the abradant. Under some test configurations wire mesh is used as the abradant instead of wool.

The machine applies a constant load of 12 kilopascals, equivalent to approximately 120 grams per square centimetre, which simulates the pressure of a seated person. The upper plate then moves against the lower plate in a Lissajous curve, which is a compound figure-of-eight motion that ensures the abrasion is applied in multiple directions rather than a single line. This multidirectional motion is what distinguishes the Martindale method from the Wyzenbeek method, which applies abrasion in a straight back-and-forth line.

The test pauses every 5,000 cycles and the sample is inspected under a standardised light source. The inspector looks for two complete yarn breaks or a noticeable change in the appearance of the fabric surface, such as pilling, flattening, or loss of pile. When either of these conditions is met, the test ends and the cycle count at that point is the fabric’s Martindale rub count.

Because the test pauses at 5,000-cycle intervals, the result is always a multiple of 5,000. A fabric described as achieving 25,000 rubs reached that interval and passed; it was not tested through the full 30,000 interval. Multiple samples from different areas of the same fabric are tested simultaneously to account for variation within the material. The abradant is replaced after every 50,000 cycles to prevent glazing, which would artificially inflate results.

Martindale Rub Count Chart: UK Classifications

The following chart gives the standard UK and European Martindale classifications, the rub-count band for each, and the typical application.

ClassificationMartindale rub countTypical application
DecorativeUnder 10,000Cushions, throws, accent pieces with minimal friction
Light domestic10,000 to 15,000Occasional-use furniture in low-traffic rooms
General domestic15,000 to 25,000Everyday living room sofas and dining chairs
Heavy domestic and light contract25,000 to 40,000High-use family furniture, private offices, boutique hotel bedrooms
Contract40,000 and aboveHotels, restaurants, bars, and offices in daily multi-user use
Severe contract100,000 and aboveTransport seating, healthcare, and continuous round-the-clock use

What the Rub Count Means in Practice

The rub count is a guide to the appropriate application of a fabric, not a guarantee of a specific lifespan. The following thresholds represent the standard classifications used in the UK and Europe, with examples from the Kothea range at each level.

Under 10,000 rubs: decorative use only. Fabrics at this level are suitable for cushions, throws, and accent pieces that receive minimal friction. They are not suitable for any application where a person will sit on or lean against the fabric regularly.

10,000 to 15,000 rubs: light domestic use. Suitable for occasional-use furniture in low-traffic rooms, such as a bedroom accent chair that is rarely sat on, or decorative cushion covers on a guest bedroom bed. Often applicable to fabrics with delicate yarns that require dry cleaning. Not recommended for main living room seating.

15,000 to 25,000 rubs: general domestic use. The standard range for everyday household furniture including living room sofas and dining chairs in a single-occupancy or couple household. Kothea’s Relax Linen at over 15,000 rubs and Linen Velvet at 20,000 rubs sit within this band, making them suitable for residential upholstery in schemes where appearance takes priority over heavy-use durability.

25,000 to 40,000 rubs: heavy domestic and light contract use. Suitable for high-use family furniture with children and regular daily use, and for light commercial applications such as a private office or a boutique hotel bedroom that is not turned over multiple times per day. Kothea’s Restful Linen at over 45,000 rubs falls into this band and above, making it suitable for contract bedroom seating and residential upholstery in heavily used rooms.

40,000 rubs and above: contract grade. The standard threshold for commercial upholstery in hotels, restaurants, bars, and offices. Fabric at this level is specified where furniture will receive daily use by multiple different people over an extended period without replacement or reupholstering. Kothea’s Recline Linen achieves 80,000 Martindale rubs. Mohair Velvet achieves 100,000 Martindale rubs. Fine Cotton Velvet achieves 110,000 Martindale rubs. Faux Leather 3 achieves in excess of 200,000 Martindale rubs, placing it among the most abrasion-resistant upholstery fabrics available for contract specification.

A note on diminishing returns. Results above 50,000 rubs have little additional practical impact on longevity for most residential applications. The difference between a fabric at 50,000 and one at 100,000 is not meaningful in a domestic living room. The significance of very high rub counts lies in the most demanding contract environments: transport seating, healthcare waiting rooms, casino public areas, and anywhere furniture is in continuous use around the clock.

What the Martindale Test Does Not Measure

The rub count is one indicator of fabric performance, not a complete picture of durability. Specifiers should be aware of the following limitations.

UV light resistance and fading. The Martindale test is conducted in a controlled environment with no light exposure. A fabric that achieves 100,000 rubs may fade significantly in a south-facing room within a year. Light fastness is a separate property tested against the Blue Wool Scale under a different standard entirely.

Pilling. Pilling is the formation of small fibre balls on the surface of a fabric through repeated rubbing. It is a normal characteristic of many natural and blended fibres and is not the same as abrasion failure. A fabric can pill at relatively low rub counts without the yarns breaking. Pilling resistance is assessed separately and is particularly relevant when specifying wool and mohair fabrics.

Staining and liquid resistance. The test is conducted dry. It gives no information about how a fabric will respond to spillage, moisture, or cleaning agents. A high rub count does not indicate stain resistance.

Pet damage. Cat and dog claws create a tearing and snagging force that is entirely different from the flat circular abrasion of the Martindale machine. No rub count, however high, predicts resistance to animal claws.

Seam slippage and tensile strength. The abrasion test is conducted on a flat sample away from seams. A fabric that performs well in abrasion may have poor seam strength when cut, sewn, and stretched over a frame. Tensile strength is a separate test.

Chemical degradation. Cleaning agents, solvent-based spot removers, and harsh detergents can degrade fabric fibres and surface finishes in ways the Martindale test does not simulate. Always confirm the appropriate cleaning code for a fabric before specifying it in an environment where soiling and cleaning will be frequent.

Furniture construction and padding. The rub count assumes the fabric is correctly upholstered over adequate padding. Fabric specified at 40,000 rubs applied over a poorly padded frame with sharp edges will fail prematurely because the real stress concentrates at contact points the laboratory test does not replicate.

Martindale and Wyzenbeek: the Key Difference

Designers working on international projects, particularly those involving US clients or global hotel brands, will encounter both the Martindale and Wyzenbeek test standards. The two are frequently confused and occasionally treated as interchangeable. They are not.

The Wyzenbeek test, defined under ASTM D4157, is the standard used in North America. It applies abrasion in a straight back-and-forth motion along the warp and weft of the fabric using cotton duck or wire mesh as the abradant. Each back-and-forth movement is called a double rub. The test ends when two yarn breaks occur or noticeable wear is observed.

The Martindale test applies abrasion in a multidirectional Lissajous figure-of-eight motion. Because it tests multiple directions simultaneously, it subjects the fabric to a more complex pattern of stress than the straight-line Wyzenbeek test.

There is no reliable conversion factor between the two tests. A common industry rule of thumb holds that Martindale results run approximately one third higher than Wyzenbeek results for equivalent fabrics, and that for heavy-duty contract use a specifier might require either 30,000 Wyzenbeek double rubs or 40,000 Martindale cycles as the minimum. This is a directional guide only. A fabric that achieves a given Wyzenbeek score cannot be assumed to achieve any particular Martindale score without being independently tested to both standards. The two tests measure different properties of abrasion resistance and success in one does not infer success in the other.

For a detailed comparison of the two methods, including end-use specification guidance, see our full comparison: Wyzenbeek vs Martindale guide.

For projects governed by UK and European standards, always require Martindale figures. For projects governed by US or North American standards, require Wyzenbeek figures. Do not attempt to derive one from the other.

How to Specify Correctly

Match the rub count to the actual use, not the most demanding possible use. Over-specifying abrasion resistance frequently leads to specifying a fabric that is technically correct but aesthetically wrong for the project. A fabric rated at 100,000 rubs is not necessary in a private bedroom and the range of available fabrics at that performance level is narrower than at 25,000 rubs.

Consider the full performance profile. Alongside the Martindale figure, check the cleaning code, light fastness rating, fire rating, and pilling resistance before finalising a specification. Each of these is independent of the rub count.

Confirm the test conditions. Ask the supplier whether the rub count was achieved with or without a backing, which abradant was used, and which part of ISO 12947 was applied. Results tested with a foam backing are not directly comparable to results tested without one. This level of detail is rarely published on a standard product sheet but a serious supplier will have it available.

Require third party test certificates for contract applications. Self-certified figures carry no independent verification. For contract projects where the rub count or other performance claims carry legal or liability implications, require test certificates from an accredited independent laboratory before specifying.

Use the rub count alongside a sample. A sample in the hand tells you things the rub count cannot: handle, drape, pile direction, surface texture, and how the fabric behaves when manipulated. Specify by rub count to confirm technical suitability, then choose by sample.

For the US equivalent abrasion test and how Wyzenbeek double rubs differ from Martindale rubs, see our Wyzenbeek vs Martindale guide.

For pilling resistance — a distinct property from abrasion measured by a separate test — see our pilling resistance guide.

Martindale Rub Counts Across the Kothea Range

Kothea supplies Martindale rub count data for all relevant fabric ranges. The following gives a summary by performance level.

  • 15,000 rubs and above: Relax Linen (100% linen, pre-washed)
  • 18,000 rubs: Bobbly Wool (100% wool)
  • 20,000 rubs: Linen Velvet (100% linen pile)
  • 23,500 rubs: Wool (100% wool)
  • 30,000 rubs: Corduroy and Cord (100% cotton)
  • 35,000 rubs: Bobbly Wool 2 (98% wool 2% nylon, Crib 5)
  • 45,000 rubs and above: Restful Linen (100% linen, pre-washed)
  • 80,000 rubs: Recline Linen (54% linen 35% cotton 11% polyamide, pre-washed)
  • 100,000 rubs: Mohair Velvet (pile 100% mohair, inherent Crib 5)
  • 110,000 rubs: Fine Cotton Velvet (100% cotton)
  • In excess of 200,000 rubs: Faux Leather 3 (1% PU 82% PVC 17% polyester, Crib 5)

Wyzenbeek: The US Abrasion Standard

Wyzenbeek (ASTM D4157) is the US abrasion standard, expressed in double rubs rather than Martindale rubs. The two figures are not comparable and no reliable conversion exists between them, so a Wyzenbeek count cannot substitute for Martindale on a UK specification. For UK and European projects, always specify Martindale to ISO 12947. For the full comparison of the two methods, see our Wyzenbeek vs Martindale guide.

For guidance on when to specify contract-grade performance for residential projects, see our contract fabric for residential projects guide.

Trade customers can request technical data sheets and sample cuttings.

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