Sunbrella or Dralon
Premium acrylic against the budget entry
Both are acrylic, but they are dyed differently - and that single difference explains almost everything else. Sunbrella Natte is solution-dyed, reaches 8/8 lightfastness and carries five years of colour guarantee. Dralon is conventionally dyed, costs considerably less and comes in widths up to 320 cm with a certified UPF 50 sun protection.
One difference in production, consequences everywhere
Both are outdoor fabric qualities made from 100% acrylic, both finished water-repellent. What separates them is the moment the colour enters the fibre - and that decides lightfastness, guarantee and price.
Solution-dyed against conventionally dyed
Sunbrella Natte is solution-dyed: the colour is mixed into the liquid polymer before the fibre exists, so it sits in the core. Dralon is dyed after the fibre is spun, so the colour sits on the surface. This is the reason for the gap in lightfastness.
Lightfastness to ISO 105-B02
Lightfastness shows how colour-stable a fabric stays under sun. Sunbrella Natte reaches 8/8 indoor, Dralon 4-6/8 depending on the shade. For a cushion stored away over winter that difference matters far less than for a sun sail exposed all year.
Weave and surface
Sunbrella Natte has the structured natte weave (braided 3/2) with its grainy, high-end surface and pilling grade 5/5. Dralon is a plain weave available in plain colours and stripes - the simpler look, with a much larger pattern selection.
Widths, colours and UV protection
Dralon comes in 160 and 320 cm, in 58 plain colours plus several pattern collections, and brings a tested UPF 50 sun protection with 0.00% UVA and UVB transmission. Sunbrella Natte is fixed to 140 cm.
Sunbrella Natte and Dralon in direct comparison
All figures come from the manufacturers' data sheets.
| Property | Sunbrella Natte | Dralon |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre | 100% acrylic, solution-dyed | 100% acrylic, conventionally dyed |
| Weight | 290 g/m2 | 220 g/m2 |
| Width | 140 cm | 160 cm and 320 cm |
| Weave | natte weave (braided 3/2) | plain weave, plain and striped |
| Lightfastness (ISO 105-B02) | 8/8 indoor | 4-6/8 depending on shade |
| Fire safety ex works | 4 standards (Cal TB 117, NFPA 260, EN 1021-1, BS 5852) | flame retardant |
| Care | machine wash 30 C, do not bleach | clean at 30 C with neutral soap |
| Certificates | OEKO-TEX 100, REACH, Greenguard Gold, PFAS-free | UPF 50 test report (Eurofins, AS/NZS 4399) |
| Colour guarantee | 5 years on colour fastness | no documented guarantee |
| Origin | made in France | Europe |
| Price level | premium, upper segment | 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) | Sunbrella Natte | Dralon |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre | 100% acrylic, solution-dyed | 100% acrylic, conventionally dyed |
| Weave (ISO 7211-1) | braided 3/2 (natte) | plain weave, plain and striped |
| Lightfastness (ISO 105-B02) | 8/8 indoor | 4-6/8 depending on shade |
| Artificial weathering (ISO 105-B04) | 4/5 after 1,000 h | not stated by the manufacturer |
| Pilling (ISO 12945-2) | 5/5 | not stated by the manufacturer |
| Tensile strength (ISO 13934-1) | warp 180 daN / weft 100 daN per 5 cm | not stated by the manufacturer |
| Elongation at break (ISO 13934-1) | warp 24% / weft 28% | not stated by the manufacturer |
| Seam slippage (ISO 13936-2) | warp below 3 mm / weft below 5 mm | not stated by the manufacturer |
| Seam strength (ISO 13935-2) | above 350 N in both directions | not stated by the manufacturer |
| Spray test (ISO 4920) | 5/5 | water-repellent finish, no test value |
| Rub fastness, dry and wet (ISO 105-X12) | 5/5 | not stated by the manufacturer |
| Colour fastness to washing at 30 C (ISO 105-C06) | 5/5 | not stated by the manufacturer |
| Shrinkage on washing (ISO 5077) | 1% in both directions | not stated by the manufacturer |
| UV protection (AS/NZS 4399) | not stated by the manufacturer | UPF 50, 0.00% UVA and UVB transmission |
| Colour guarantee | 5 years | no documented guarantee |
Three points that explain the price gap
More than the brand name separates these two fabrics. The table also shows how differently complete the testing is - for many Dralon values simply no test report exists.
The dyeing method explains almost the whole difference
Sunbrella Natte is solution-dyed: the colour sits in the fibre core and cannot fade out. Dralon is dyed conventionally, with the colour on the outside of the fibre. From that follows the gap in lightfastness - 8/8 against 4-6/8 - and from that follows that only Sunbrella can give a five-year guarantee on the colour.
On seams and structure Sunbrella is provably more stable
Seam strength above 350 N, seam slippage below 3 mm and pilling 5/5 are hard numbers for heavily used cushions and tensioned applications. For Dralon those tests are not available. That does not automatically mean worse - but anyone who needs verifiable figures for a contract project will only find them with Sunbrella.
Where Dralon is still the right choice
Dralon is the only one of the two with a tested UPF 50 sun protection, comes in 160 and 320 cm width and costs considerably less. For seasonal cushions, balconies, parasol covers and anything stored away over winter, the premium surcharge is often unnecessary.
The strengths of both fabrics at a glance
290 g/m2 in a structured natte weave, Greenguard Gold and PFAS-free, four fire safety standards ex works and five years of colour guarantee. The better choice for year-round outdoor use, for contract projects and wherever the brand name is specified.
220 g/m2, water-repellent, mould-resistant and with a tested UPF 50 sun protection. 58 plain colours plus several pattern collections, in 160 and 320 cm width. The lighter weight drapes well, which suits cushions, curtains and parasol covers.
When Sunbrella, when Dralon?
The decision comes down to one question: how much sun will the fabric see, and for how many years?
Choose Sunbrella Natte if ...
... the fabric stays outside all year, the project is contract work, a documented guarantee is needed, or the brand name is specified. Also when Greenguard Gold matters for low-emission interiors.
Choose Dralon if ...
... you need a large pattern selection, widths up to 320 cm, a certified UPF 50, or simply a good price. For seasonal use with winter storage the lower lightfastness rarely becomes visible.
Our tip when in doubt
If you want the colour stability of Sunbrella without the brand surcharge, look at Agora Liso or Agora Panama - both solution-dyed acrylics with 7-8/8 lightfastness and four fire safety standards, in widths up to 320 cm.
Both fabrics and alternatives in the shop
All fabrics are available by the metre and made to measure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- Sunbrella Natte - data sheet in the shop
- Dralon - data sheet in the shop
- Fabric overview (outdoor and indoor)
Last reviewed: 25.08.2026 · Reviewer: Germes-Team
Sunbrella or Dralon - 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.