JRB is the exclusive provider of high performance silk (HPS) fabrics using our in-house backing & finishing facilities. When compared to traditional silks, our high performance silks have increased dimensional stability, fabric life and resiliency. High performance silk fabrics are more suitable for non-conventional applications where traditional silk would be extremely difficult to work-with. Some of these applications include chairs, sofas, cornices, headboards, wallpaper, handbags, shoes, book and album covers, wedding invitations, and a variety of commercial applications. Below you will find a comparison between traditional silk and HPS.
| Traditional Silk Characteristics | High Performance Silk (HPS) Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and delicate by nature | Three to five times more durable with backing |
| Like all natural fabrics, may fade over time | Fade resistant ultra-violet finish doubles the colorfastness and lifespan of the fabric |
| Difficult to cut and sew | Very easy to cut and sew |
| Watermarks and stains fairly easily | Nanoparticles protect the silk fabric at the molecular level keeping it free from stains, accidental spills, and moisture. |
| Too delicate to be used as wallpaper and nearly impossible to align grains correctly. | Can be easily applied and removed from the wall without any damage to the walls or the silk. Grains will be properly aligned. |
| Naturally fire retardant, but will not pass governmental regulations for commercial usage. | Meets the most stringent tests for flammability and passes nearly all city, state and application specific standards (including NFPA 702). |
HPS is silk that has been engineered for enhanced performance. The performance of silk is application and environment specific. For example, if the fabric is in a brightly lit environment, UV protection will enhance the performance of the fabric. If the fabric were used in an apparel application, an all-natural stain treatment would be appropriate. If the fabric were used in upholstery such as chairs, sofas, and the like, knit backing and stain protection would greatly impact the performance. For a list of applications and recommended treatments, please see below.
| Application | Backing | Finishing |
|---|---|---|
|
Upholstery (chairs, sofas, headboards, sectionals, sofas and loveseats, dining chairs and club chairs, ottomans, benches, upholstered headboards, etc.)
Upholstered Panels for Wallcoverings |
Knit | Stain |
| Drapery (curtains, cornices, lambrequins, panels, roman shades, swags and cascades, valances, etc) | Knit | Stain, UltraViolet (recommended for functional draperies) |
| Fabric applied directly to vertical surfaces (wallpaper) | Paper | Stain |
| Bridal wear, apparel formalwear, high fashion, couture, shoes and handbags | Knit (recommended for shoes and handbags) | Stain |
| Home Decor (decorative pillows, duvet covers, and tabletops) | Knit | Stain |
| Commercial Usage (restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, business offices, showrooms, private jets, theaters, convention halls, opera houses, etc) | Scrim | Flame, Stain, UltraViolet |
Silk fabrics are delicate by nature and need to be strengthened for upholstery, window treatments, interior-decorating and fashion accessory purposes. Knit backing adds the necessary body, resiliency, and strength to the silk without changing the original appearance of the fabric. Our proprietary processes overcome the traditional challenges of backing silk fabrics and far exceed the industry standards allowing unparalleled grain straightness and stability while providing our customers with a wrinkle free product. We can even back embroidered, beaded, and embellished silks.
Silk covered walls create a luxurious and couture effect unlike any other wall treatment. Our paper backing and stain protection will convert any of our silk fabrics into the perfect wallpaper. Some of the benefits of fabric-covered walls include sound absorption, insulation, wider widths (fewer seams!), and no direct damage to the walls.
GreenShield is a permanent and environmentally friendly stain protection that is both water repellant and stain resistant. Unlike traditional stain protection, GreenShield is an inorganic nano-particle based finish that is LEED certified, formaldehyde free and VOC free. GreenShield does not change the color, texture, or breathability of the original fabric.
Provides natural protection from fading and discoloring over time. Like all natural fiber fabrics, prolonged exposure to sunlight can damage and fade silk over time. Our UV protection is a topical treatment that deflects the ultra-violet rays away from the fabric and will decrease ultra-violet transmittance by over 200%.
Due to federal regulations, fabrics that are used commercially in places such as hotels, convention halls, schools, theaters, and cruise ships are often required to pass common tests for flame retardancy. Our fire protection technology will ensure that your fabrics will meet or exceed even the most stringent flammability requirements without compromising the quality or durability of the fabric.
