Vinyl is an amazingly versatile substance. It is used in a tremendously wide range of applications, including home run and foul walls in baseball stadiums; wall pads, gym divider curtains, punching bags, and floor mats use low lead vinyl in gymnasiums to ensure the safety of children; and, that favorite fixture of any child’s birthday party: bounce houses. Beyond these more commercial uses of vinyl, printed vinyl fabrics are used in countless homes to decorate furnishings. So whether you’re interested in something like vinyl banner signs or vinyl covered fabric, here are just some of the benefits you can expect from any item created using vinyl.
Printed vinyl fabrics come in two basic types, stretch and patent vinyl, and both are extremely resistant to many of the daily wears of life. Many items that are made with vinyl are outdoor furniture or protective coverings since the material is waterproof and weatherproof. Those who manufacture items like outdoor furniture and awnings take great pains when stitching the vinyl in order to maintain its natural waterproof properties. However, not all printed vinyl fabric is made equally, so you will want to make sure you check the specific weather-resistance of the vinyl you are purchasing.
In addition to being waterproof and weather resistant, printed vinyl fabrics are also very resistant to the wearing effects of the sun. Many people buy vinyl fabric because it fades much less rapidly than other fabrics when exposed to sunlight. Since vinyl effectively blocks sunlight, it is a great choice for any furniture that is constantly exposed to sunlight. Its sunlight blocking properties are especially useful for protecting delicate fabrics from sunlight.
Printed vinyl fabric’s resistant properties also extend to wear and tear. Vinyl coated fabric will not rip or tear easily, and it is often used in restaurants for this reason. It is also easy to clean, resistant to stains, and can be sanitized. It does not scratch or damage easily and is also flame-resistant. So no matter what you throw at it, vinyl is likely to survive. Its toughness also makes it a great material for upholstering furniture.
But vinyl is not just used in printed vinyl fabrics. It is also an essential component to polyvinyl chloride, better known as PVC. PVC was discovered on several occasions in the nineteenth century. German chemist Eugen Baumann discovered it in 1872 when he left a flask of chloride exposed to sunlight. However, he did not apply for a patent for this discovery. This raw form of PVC is rigid and brittle and was difficult to successfully use in commercial products. Eventually, in 1926, PVC was plasticized by blending it with additives, making it more flexible and easier to process. Today, PVC is used in as many applications as its printed vinyl fabric counterpart. It is most well known for being the main ingredient in PVC pipes, but is also used in electric cables, signs, clothing, and furniture. Continue reading here.