Dralon or Olefin
Acrylic against polypropylene outdoors
Two affordable outdoor fabrics from different fibre families. Olefin is polypropylene: inherently UV-stable, tested to 16,000 Martindale rubs and rated 5/5 against chlorinated and salt water. Dralon is acrylic: softer in the hand, available up to 320 cm wide and the only one of the two with a tested UPF 50 sun protection.
Two fibre families, two different strengths
Dralon is acrylic, Olefin is polypropylene. They behave differently under sun, under abrasion and in water - and the right pick depends far more on where the fabric sits than on the price.
Where the colour comes from
In Olefin the pigment is added to the granulate before the fibre is extruded - the same principle as solution dyeing in acrylic. Dralon is dyed after spinning. That is why Olefin reaches above 7/8 lightfastness and Dralon 4-6/8 depending on the shade.
Abrasion resistance and fire safety
Olefin reaches 16,000 Martindale rubs - solid for normal use - plus pilling 4-5/5 and the top mark in the BS 8479 snag test. For Dralon the manufacturer does not document an abrasion figure. Both fabrics are flame retardant.
Water, chlorine and salt
Polypropylene absorbs practically no water and Olefin is tested 5/5 against both chlorinated and salt water. That makes it the obvious choice by the pool and on a boat. Dralon carries a water-repellent finish and dries quickly, but has no comparable test report.
Widths, feel and sun protection
Dralon comes in 160 and 320 cm - the wide roll allows large panels without a seam - feels softer in the hand and brings a tested UPF 50 with 0.00% UVA and UVB transmission. Olefin comes in 150 cm.
Dralon and Olefin in direct comparison
All figures come from the manufacturers' data sheets. For Olefin the values of the SUNSET and STRIPES ranges are given.
| Property | Dralon | Olefin |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre | 100% acrylic | 100% polypropylene |
| Weight | 220 g/m2 | approx. 260 g/m2 (SUNSET) / approx. 200 g/m2 (STRIPES) |
| Width | 160 cm and 320 cm | 150 cm |
| Lightfastness (ISO 105-B02) | 4-6/8 depending on shade | above 7 |
| Abrasion, Martindale | not stated by the manufacturer | 16,000 rubs |
| Fire safety ex works | flame retardant | 4 standards |
| Water behaviour | water-repellent finish | absorbs practically no water |
| Chlorinated and salt water | not stated by the manufacturer | 5/5 for both |
| UV protection | UPF 50 (Eurofins, AS/NZS 4399) | not stated by the manufacturer |
| Feel | soft, textile | firmer, more technical |
| Colour guarantee | no documented guarantee | 2 years (Germes guarantee) |
| Price level | budget entry | budget entry |
Every test value from the data sheets, side by side
Most suppliers quote weight and colour - the actual load values stay unmentioned. Here they are in full, each with the test standard behind it. What the individual values mean is explained in lightfastness, Martindale and UPF.
| Test value (standard) | Dralon | Olefin |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre | 100% acrylic | 100% polypropylene |
| Lightfastness (ISO 105-B02) | 4-6/8 depending on shade | above 7 |
| Artificial weathering (ISO 105-B04) | not stated by the manufacturer | above 5 |
| Abrasion, Martindale (ISO 12947) | not stated by the manufacturer | 16,000 rubs |
| Pilling (ISO 12945-2) | not stated by the manufacturer | 4-5/5 |
| Snagging (BS 8479) | not stated by the manufacturer | 5/5 |
| Tensile strength (ISO 13934-1) | not stated by the manufacturer | warp 1,894 N / weft 1,196 N |
| Tear strength (ISO 13937-3) | not stated by the manufacturer | warp 114.2 N / weft 83 N |
| Seam slippage (ISO 13936-2) | not stated by the manufacturer | 4.0 mm in both directions |
| Rub fastness, dry and wet (ISO 105-X12) | not stated by the manufacturer | 5/5 |
| Chlorinated water (ISO 105-E03) | not stated by the manufacturer | 5/5 |
| Salt water (ISO 105-E02) | not stated by the manufacturer | 5/5 |
| UV protection (AS/NZS 4399) | UPF 50, 0.00% UVA and UVB transmission | not stated by the manufacturer |
| Colour guarantee | no documented guarantee | 2 years (Germes guarantee, not a manufacturer guarantee) |
Where the two fabrics really part ways
The table shows one thing above all: for Olefin a complete test report exists, for Dralon only an extract. That does not mean Dralon performs worse - it is simply less tested. Three points still decide clearly.
Colour stability - Olefin leads here
Polypropylene is inherently UV-stable because the pigment sits in the granulate before the fibre exists - the same principle as solution-dyed acrylic. Olefin reaches above 7/8, Dralon 4-6/8 depending on the shade. Light and pastel tones lose brilliance earlier in Dralon than dark ones.
Robustness - only Olefin has documented figures
16,000 Martindale rubs, pilling 4-5/5 and the top mark in the BS 8479 snag test are solid for a fabric in this price class. For Dralon the manufacturer documents no abrasion figure - uncritical in normal cushion use, but the proof is missing for contract settings with daily turnover.
Water and chlorine - different strengths
Olefin absorbs practically no water and is tested 5/5 against both chlorinated and salt water, which makes it the natural fabric by the pool and on a boat. Dralon carries a water-repellent finish and is the only one of the two with a tested UPF 50 sun protection.
The strengths of both fabrics at a glance
220 g/m2, water-repellent, mould-resistant and with a tested UPF 50. The large selection of plain colours and patterns plus the 320 cm width make it the flexible choice for cushions, curtains and parasol covers - and the soft hand feels more textile than technical.
Polypropylene with lightfastness above 7, antibacterial and pet friendly. Fire safety to four standards, 16,000 Martindale rubs and 5/5 against chlorinated and salt water. Wherever water, chlorine or heavy use are involved, Olefin is the more robust answer.
When Dralon, when Olefin?
Both sit in the same price class, so this is not a budget decision - it is a decision about where the fabric will live.
Choose Olefin if ...
... the fabric sits by a pool, on a boat or anywhere near chlorinated or salt water, if it gets heavy daily use, or if colour stability over several seasons matters more to you than the softest hand.
Choose Dralon if ...
... you need a wide panel without a seam (320 cm), a large pattern selection, a certified UPF 50 for shading people, or simply the softer, more textile feel on seat cushions.
Our tip when in doubt
If the fabric stays outside all year, neither of the two is the ideal answer - a solution-dyed acrylic such as Agora Liso reaches 7-8/8 lightfastness with a five-year guarantee. Order samples of all three and judge hand and shade in your own light.
Both fabrics and alternatives in the shop
All fabrics are available by the metre and made to measure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Last reviewed: 25.08.2026 · Reviewer: Germes-Team
Dralon or Olefin - we help you choose
Order samples of both qualities or get personal advice. We have been making outdoor textiles from both fabrics for more than ten years and know where the difference shows in daily use.