Fabric Hammock

Hammocks have come a long way from the coarse rope ones which irritated and marked your skin. Today many people want a hammock to genuinely relax and unwind in and which will serve as a complimentary accessory to their outdoor living area. This is why fabric hammocks are so popular. They manage to largely retain the appearance of a traditional hammock while providing exceptional comfort and looking good.

Different types

Fabric hammocks come in three types: single fabric, quilted and pillowtop.

A single fabric hammock is the least expensive of the three and is made of specially treated fabric to withstand the elements. Since there is only a single layer it is quick-drying and therefore less likely to grow mold and mildew. The downside is that it is less comfortable than the others.

A quilted hammock has a center of luxurious polyester fibrefill batting in between two soft layers of fabric which are lockstitched on top. A pillowtop hammock is very similar but has thicker batting and more of a cushioning effect. The former will cost around $220-$250, while the latter is more expensive at $250-$300.

If you wish to use your hammock a lot and even sleep in it, then a quilted or pillowtop one will be your choice as they have exactly the same batting which is used in bed quilts and therefore provide exceptional softness and comfort. Quilting also preserves warmth which makes it a very cosy option in the cool of the evening.

A fabric hammock has ropes at either end for fastening to a stand or tree but the entire base where a person lies is comprised of fabric. This ensures that your skin will not suffer from any rope marks; you won’t catch your fingers and toes in the holes in between the ropes; and the fabric base does not coil around you in the same way a rope hammock does. Furthermore, the spreader bars help to keep the fabric spread out so that it does not become all bunched up.

Hammock décor and accessories

There is an excellent range of colors and patterns to choose from in fabric hammocks so that you are sure to find something that matches your taste and existing outdoor living furniture. Some hammocks are sold with built in pillows or else you can buy them to match the fabric. Sometimes a hammock will be sold with a stand but other times you have to purchase it separately which adds to the overall cost. There are different hammock stands available in wood and metal.

Making a good choice

It is very important to think carefully about where you intend to place your hammock and how it is going to be used. For example, is it going to be displayed as a showpiece on your deck; is it for use by yourself, perhaps in an indoor conservatory, or do the whole family like to pile on when enjoying a sunny day in the garden? This will determine the kind of size, weight capacity and quality of material you need. Not all fabric hammocks are made in the same way and it is very important to check the product description to find out what weight it can hold and whether it is made of weather-resistant fabric or is more suited to indoor use.