When choosing upholstery for contract furniture, durability matters just as much as colour, texture and style. One of the most useful ways to understand fabric durability is the Martindale rub test score.
This guide explains what Martindale scores mean, why they matter and how to choose suitable upholstery fabrics for restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, cafés and other commercial interiors.
The Martindale rub test measures how well a fabric performs when exposed to repeated rubbing and abrasion. It is designed to simulate the everyday wear caused by people sitting, moving and using upholstered furniture over time.
During testing, a machine rubs the fabric in a circular motion using a standard abrasive material. The number of rubs completed before visible wear appears becomes the fabric’s Martindale score.
You can read more about the history and technical background of the Martindale unit here.
In simple terms, the higher the score, the more resistant the fabric is likely to be to everyday wear.
In busy commercial interiors, seating is used all day, every day. Chairs, bar stools, sofas, banquette seating and lounge furniture all need upholstery that can cope with regular use.
This is especially important for restaurant furniture, hotel furniture, bar furniture, pub furniture and coffee shop furniture.
Choosing a fabric with the right Martindale rating can help improve furniture lifespan, reduce replacement costs and keep your seating looking better for longer.
Martindale scores are shown as the number of rubs a fabric can withstand before signs of wear appear. The guide below gives a general idea of how different scores are commonly used.
| Martindale Score | Recommended Use |
|---|---|
| 10,000 – 15,000 rubs | Decorative cushions and occasional domestic use |
| 15,000 – 25,000 rubs | General domestic furniture |
| 25,000 – 40,000 rubs | Light commercial environments |
| 40,000 – 60,000 rubs | Restaurants, cafés and hotel bedrooms |
| 60,000 – 80,000 rubs | Heavy commercial and hospitality use |
| 80,000+ rubs | High-traffic contract environments |
For most hospitality venues, fabrics with a rating of at least 40,000 Martindale rubs are a sensible starting point.
Heavy-duty commercial upholstery is usually rated at 60,000 rubs or above. These fabrics are often used for busy restaurants, hotel receptions, bar stools, members’ clubs, waiting areas and commercial lounges.
Some contract fabrics can exceed 100,000 rubs, making them suitable for very high-use environments where seating is in constant daily use.
Durability is only one part of choosing the right upholstery. For many UK hospitality and commercial venues, fabrics may also need to meet Crib 5 fire safety standards.
Many contract fabrics combine strong Martindale performance with Crib 5 fire resistance, easy-clean finishes and stain-resistant properties. This makes them a practical choice for restaurants, hotels, pubs, bars, cafés and other commercial interiors.
Not always. A high Martindale score shows that a fabric has strong abrasion resistance, but it does not automatically mean the fabric is softer, more luxurious or more suitable for every project.
When choosing upholstery, it is also worth considering fabric composition, cleanability, fire retardancy, colour fastness, texture, comfort and maintenance.
For contract furniture, the best choice is usually the fabric that balances durability, comfort, appearance and compliance.
At DeFrae Contract Furniture, we supply commercial furniture for hospitality venues, offices and contract interiors, with a wide range of upholstery options available.
Our commercial upholstery service includes Crib 5 fabrics, velvets, faux leathers, bouclé fabrics and Customer’s Own Material (COM) options suitable for busy contract environments.
If you are unsure which fabric is right for your project, we can help you choose upholstery that suits your venue, your seating style and the level of use expected.
Contract furniture is different from residential furniture in the way that it's manufactured.
The highest standards of durability and design combine to ensure that furniture is made specifically for contract use.
Contract grade furniture is designed to withstand heavy use mainly for the hospitality industry including leisure centres, canteens, restaurants, coffee shops, cafés and also commercial properties, offices, retail stores, hospitals, schools and places of worship.
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