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Short answer
Cinema and auditorium seats take constant use, so specify a tight weave or dense short-pile velvet of 40,000 Martindale rubs or more. Choose a dark or mid-tone colour that hides wear and does not reflect the screen. Public seating usually needs upholstery tested to a fire standard, so get the test report. Order the whole project from one dye batch, with spare covers.
What does theatre seating need?
| Need | Why | Specify |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Thousands of users a year | 40,000 Martindale rubs or more |
| Low pilling | Seats must look tidy | A good pilling grade; see What Is Fabric Pilling? |
| Fire safety | Public building | Tested to the required standard, with the report |
| Dark, matt colour | No reflections from the screen | Deep, matt velvet or weave |
| Cleanability | Food, drink and spills | Suitable cleaning code; removable covers |
Which fabrics suit theatre seats?
Dense, short-pile velvet is the classic choice: it looks rich, absorbs light and has nothing to snag. Tight textured weaves are a practical alternative that hides wear. In the JOTEX range, YarnGuard PURIFY and REPEL are 100% polyester velvets of about 450 gsm rated at 40,000 Martindale rubs, and BLAKE, MARC and VELA are textured weaves also rated at 40,000. Check fire performance for the project before specifying. See What Is Performance Fabric?
Does theatre seating need fire-retardant fabric?
Usually. Upholstered seating in public buildings is commonly tested for resistance to a smouldering cigarette and a small flame, for example under BS 5852, with the standard set by the project and the local fire authority. Ask which standard applies, whether the fabric is inherently fire-retardant or treated, and for the test report. See What Is Fire-Retardant Fabric?
How do you plan colour, supply and upkeep?
- Dark, matt colours such as charcoal, navy, burgundy and forest green hide wear and do not reflect the screen. See Home Theatre Curtains.
- Colour-fastness to rubbing: deep colours should not mark clothing. See Colour Transfer.
- One dye batch for the whole project, plus spare covers so replacements match.
- Removable seat and back covers make cleaning and repairs quick.
- Vacuum regularly and spot-clean spills straight away.
For the stage itself, see Stage and Auditorium Curtain Fabric.
YarnGuard performance velvets
The JOTEX performance upholstery range, rated at 40,000 Martindale rubs. See the YarnGuard range.
Browse YarnGuard →
Frequently asked questions
What rub count does cinema seating need?
40,000 Martindale rubs or more, because each seat is used thousands of times a year.
What fabric do cinema seats use?
Usually a dense, short-pile velvet or a tight weave in a dark, matt colour.
Does auditorium seating need to be fire-retardant?
Usually. The standard comes from the project and local fire authority; get the fabric's test report.
Why are cinema seats dark?
Dark, matt colours hide wear and do not reflect light from the screen.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing, and our team can send samples or open a dealer account.