Knits vs Wovens: Upholstery Material Types

Woven fabrics are built from warp and weft intersection on a loom, including plain, twill, satin, and jacquard variants. They are often less stretch-prone, which can help maintain geometry on large flat surfaces and crisp edges.

Knits are loop-based structures, made as circular or flat-knitted goods and often stabilized for upholstery. Their flexibility can support complex furniture shapes, but uneven tension during fitting can create folds or long-term deformation.

You may also see flock, woven velour, hybrid constructions, or laminated backing systems. Always verify whether the product is fundamentally woven, knitted, or composite in the technical document.

There is no universal winner. Match construction to furniture geometry, upholstery process, abrasion targets, maintenance model, and pattern direction constraints.