Shuford Mills expands Outdura awning line

New stripes added to line

-- Casual Living, 10/8/2008 7:21:00 AM

Shuford Mills is substantially increasing its line of awning-weight Outdura performance fabric, adding dozens of new stripes to the existing inventory of solids and tweeds. 
    
Shuford Mills introduced Outdura in 2000, and now offers the fabric in weights suitable for awning, marine and furniture uses. One hundred percent solution-dyed Outdura is stain-resistant, water-repellant and breathable. Properly used and maintained, Outdura will not fade, mildew or lose strength.
   
“Shuford Mills’ Outdura line of outdoor fabrics continues to enjoy tremendous growth in the marine and casual furniture markets,” President Stephen Shuford said. “The outstanding reception that our quality products have received in these channels has compelled us to expand our line by adding a design-differentiated offering to OEMs and distributors.”
   
Outdura features a six-year warranty, and the fabric’s resistance to abrasion is the highest, exceeding 60,000 double rubs to assure less wear at stress points and from weather-related movement. Outdura also offers protection from the sun, with a UV Protection Factor of 50+, which is as high as the rating goes and more than three times as high as the minimum recommended by leading cancer advocacy groups. 
    
“The new fabrics are backed by Outdura’s industry-leading warranty, and we are confident that awning customers – like our marine and casual furniture customers – will continue to appreciate the beauty, durability and value that define Outdura,” Shuford said.
 
Designing the new line of Outdura awning stripes were Brenda Sewell-Bost and Karen Williams of the firm D2, which also designed Outdura’s award-winning fabrics for casual furniture use. In planning the awning line, they took into consideration predominate colorways of house paint, brick and siding, as well as regional geographic preferences.
     
In addition to awnings and canopies, other uses for versatile 9.25-ounce Outdura include boat tops, covers, cushions, furniture and umbrellas. Eight-ounce furniture-weight Outdura, used primarily for upholstery and cushions, is ideal in situations where a fabric needs to stand up to weather, children and pets. 
 
Shuford Mills also produces Outdura Trio, the only outdoor fabric that is both breathable and waterproof. Boat, cockpit and playpen covers, T-tops, convertible and Bimini tops, dodgers and enclosures are among the uses for this 12.5-ounce fabric.
      
Additional information is available at 866/OUTDURA, info@outdura.com or online at outdura.com.