The Truth About Stretch Slipcovers and Why You Should Be Covering Your Furniture
In the home furnishings industry, there are few trends as divisive as stretch slipcovers. To some, they’re an affordable way to give tired furniture new life. To others, they’re a cost-effective way to mask cheap fabric and substandard construction. This is why you may find yourself feeling confused about stretch slipcovers and whether or not you should invest in them. The truth is that there are pros and cons to using stretch slipcovers, but if you know exactly what you’re getting into beforehand, investing in them can be a great idea! Keep reading for the truth about stretch slipcovers and why you should be covering your furniture.
What are Stretch Slipcovers?
First things first: what even are stretch slipcovers? Stretch slipcovers are a type of upholstery fabric that comes in a “specially-sized” (read: unusually wide and long) form that allows it to easily and quickly be applied to a wide variety of furniture. This means that instead of having to purchase an entire sectional, sofa, or armchair, you can simply buy a slipcover, which is usually much easier to clean and less expensive.
The pros of stretch slipcovers
- They’re economical. One of the biggest benefits of stretch slipcovers is that they’re incredibly economical. This is due to their ability to be quickly and easily applied to most furniture pieces. - They’re easy to clean. Stretch slipcovers are designed to be easily removable and machine washable, which means that you’ll be able to keep your furniture looking fresh and new with relative ease. - They’re made from high-quality fabrics. While there are some low-quality brands on the market, most stretch slipcovers are made from high-quality materials, including synthetic fabrics, microfibers, and chenilles.
The cons of stretch slipcovers
- They don’t last forever. While low-quality fabrics may last for a few years, high-quality fabrics last for a few seasons. If you want your furniture to last longer than that, you might want to skip out on stretch slipcovers. - They don’t fit every piece of furniture. Stretch slipcovers tend to be designed specifically for each furniture piece—meaning that if you have a weirdly shaped sofa, you’ll likely have to buy a custom-made slipcover. - They can be difficult to install. Because stretch slipcovers are designed to be applied to furniture quickly and easily, they don’t always have the best structure. - They may not be good for allergy sufferers. Although many fabrics used to make slipcovers are hypoallergenic, you should still be careful as some fabrics are known to trap and hold dust mites—which can cause allergies.
Is it worth investing in Stretch Slipcovers?
Is it worth investing in a few stretch slipcovers? That depends on your situation. If you have allergy-prone pets or children living in your home, a slipcover is a sound investment. If, however, you want to cover up an old and ugly couch, we recommend saving your money. For one thing, if your couch is old and ugly, you should probably be saving up for a new one. And for another, investing in a top-quality slipcover will be incredibly expensive, not to mention time-consuming. Instead, we recommend buying a less expensive couch and a quality slipcover to pair it with.
How to Shop for Stretch Slipcovers
Before you buy a slipcover, you should know what you’re looking for, which means knowing what to look for in a good slipcover in general. For example, the fabric you choose is incredibly important, as the material will significantly affect the lifespan and appearance of your new furniture piece. A great fabric will feel comfortable and smooth to the touch, but it won’t be so thick that it feels suffocating. It will also be easy to clean, which is essential when it comes to a living room or family room, where spills and messes are common. Finally, it should match the aesthetic of your home and the furniture you already have.
Final words: is stretching worth it?
At the end of the day, the decision to buy a stretch slipcover or not is up to you. While they do have their fair share of benefits, they also come with a few drawbacks that you’ll want to be aware of before making your decision. While it’s true that stretch slipcovers don’t last as long, or fit as many pieces of furniture, they are more affordable. So if you’re on a tight budget, or want to give your furniture a new look without breaking the bank, investing in a few stretch slipcovers might be the best option for you.
Please Submit a job scope to schedule your trimarc install or delivery.
Receiving
Please notify us via fax at (770) 447 – 9368 or email at [email protected] of shipments you are scheduling for us, identifying the carrier and shipper prior to the shipment arriving at our location.
Send all LTL, truckload and UPS/Fed-Ex shipments to:
YOUR NAME – PROJECT/SIDEMARK
C/O TriMarc Installation
5952 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suite 2
Norcross, GA 30071
All LTL and truckload shipments must call us at (770) 447-9308, 24 hours prior to delivery.
Customer Pick-ups: Monday – Friday, 8:00AM – 3:30PM (Closed 12PM – 1:00PM).Minimum 24-hour notice for customer pick-up.
Receiving Rates:
- Inspection Fee:$10 per item
- Receiving Fee:$10 per item
- Uncrating Inspection Charge: $35
- Storage Rates:$2.00 per square ft. (first 60 days FREE), assessed on first of month
If TriMarc Installation pays COD Freight, a 15% handling fee will apply.
Customer Pickups
Customers may pick up items Monday – Friday from 8:00AM until 3:30PM
Minimum 24-hour notice for customer pick-up.
$10/piece dock charge for pick-up by another carrier or customer pick-up.
TriMarc is not responsible for damages incurred due to improper loading or type of vehicle used.
Installation
If you need specialized installation services for your project, look no further than TriMarc Installation. We have the experience to get the job done right, on time and on budget.
If purchasing through ADG Interiors, a brand of Atlanta Design Group:
- For all ADG Home orders over $5,000 receive one FREE hour of installation,
-
$15,000 receive two Free hours of installation
The following terms apply:- The one hour cannot be split up.
- Balance of invoice must be paid in full before TriMArc can schedule and install.
- If client elects to pick up their ADG Home order instead of taking advantage of the installation, the customer pick-up will be FREE. For ADG Home orders under $5,000, there is a $10.00 pick-up fee for each piece or carton.
- Free receiving will be provided:Upon receipt, we will open, inspect and blanket wrap each piece, remove cartons and await further instructions. A Receiving Report of the pieces received will be faxed or emailed to the client within eight business hours of receipt. We do this for non ADG Home items too.
Other Charges and Fees
- Minimum Hours: One hour minimum per installation project
- Fuel Charge: None
- Assembly Fees: See hourly rates above
- Trip Charge: $35 flat fee per trip within the metro Atlanta area
- Out-of-State Installations: Please call us at (770) 447-9308 for a quote
- Art Installations: When art is purchased from Patrick Allen Art, a Brand of ADG, the installation fee is reduced to $50/hour for a 1-man crew or $70/hour for a 2-man crew; otherwise, the standard hourly rates apply.
- Cancellation Fee:A $100.00 cancellation fee per scheduled hour for installations, deliveries, or on-site pickups if cancelled within 36 BUSINESS hours of scheduled appointment.
- Crating Fees: $75.00 per crate
Installation and Drive Time Rates
| Regular | Overtime (after 8 hours) | |
|---|---|---|
| One man and a truck: | $80/hour | $110/hour |
| Two men and a truck: | $120/hour | $160/hour |
| Three men and a truck: | $155/hour | $210/hour |
| Four men and a truck: | $190/hour | $255/hour |
| Four men and TWO trucks: | $220/hour | $285/hour |
| Five men and TWO trucks: | $260/hour | $335/hour |
| Six men and TWO trucks: | $295/hour | $380/hour |
| Additional men: | +$40/hour | +$50/hour |
| Additional truck: | +$30/hour | +$30/hour |
Freight Service
We have negotiated competitive freight rates with regional and national freight carriers. Take advantage of our discounts by using our freight carriers to ship. We can arrange to ship your items to and from our facility. TriMarc Installation is invoiced directly eliminating the need for CODs. Please visit our Contact Us page or call us at (770) 447 – 9308 for your next shipment.
Delivery & Pickup Rates:
- For Trips Inside of I-285:$65 for up to three items $10 for each additional items
- For Trips Outside of I-285:$95 for up to three items $10 for each additional items
Furniture Repair
It happens, and we can help!
- On-Site Repairs
- Furniture Repairs
- Structural Repair
- Finish Repairs
- Color Matching
- Scratch Repair
- Antique Restoration & Refinishing
Crypton Fabric Protection Service:
| Chairs: | $20 – $59 |
| Sofas: | $79 – $89 |
| Sectionals: | $169 – $207 |
Please call (770) 447-9308 to learn about our furniture repair service.
