Showing all 6 results
Chieftain Universal Heavy-Duty Contract Upholstery Vinyl
The Chieftain Universal Range is an extreme-performance contract upholstery vinyl developed for demanding seating environments where durability, hygiene and straightforward maintenance are essential. Its substantial construction and classic leather-grain appearance make it suitable for commercial seating, healthcare furniture, hospitality interiors, educational settings and other high-traffic applications.
Universal combines the practical benefits of a wipe-clean vinyl with the appearance of traditional leather upholstery. The range is available in six versatile colours, covering neutral, dark and stronger accent shades suitable for both new furniture production and refurbishment work.
Six Practical Universal Vinyl Colours
The Universal collection includes six carefully selected colour options:
- Universal Bamboo Contract Vinyl – a light, warm neutral suited to calm and understated interiors.
- Universal Black Contract Vinyl – a versatile black suitable for contemporary, traditional and practical commercial seating.
- Universal Capsicum Contract Vinyl – a warm, characterful accent colour for furniture that needs greater visual impact.
- Universal Caramel Contract Vinyl – a rich tan shade that provides the appearance of traditional leather.
- Universal Logan Red Contract Vinyl – a deep red upholstery vinyl suited to distinctive contract and hospitality interiors.
- Universal Stratos Blue Contract Vinyl – a practical blue shade suitable for healthcare, education and commercial furniture.
The compact palette makes it easier to select dependable colours for coordinated furniture schemes. Bamboo and Caramel provide warmer neutral options, Black offers maximum versatility, while Capsicum, Logan Red and Stratos Blue introduce stronger colour without losing the range’s traditional contract appearance.
Computer screens can display colours differently, and normal commercial shade variation may occur between manufacturing batches. Where an exact colour match is important, a physical sample should be checked before ordering the full quantity required for the project.
Extreme-Performance Vinyl for High-Traffic Seating
Chieftain Universal is part of the manufacturer’s Heritage collection, designed for applications where maximum durability is required. It has been tested to 1,000,000 Martindale rubs, making it particularly well suited to furniture exposed to frequent and repeated use.
Typical applications include:
- Healthcare seating and patient furniture
- Waiting-room chairs
- Reception and public-area seating
- Restaurant chairs and banquette seating
- Hotel and hospitality furniture
- Educational seating
- Office and workplace furniture
- Care-home furniture
- Bar stools and fixed seating
- Domestic furniture requiring a particularly durable covering
The high abrasion result does not mean that the material is impossible to damage. Correct cutting, sewing, fitting, maintenance and furniture design remain important. However, it does provide a strong indication of the range’s suitability for demanding upholstery work.
Crib 5 Contract Upholstery Vinyl
Universal is supplied with BS 5852 Ignition Source 5 – Crib 5 flame-retardant performance as standard. It is also tested to EN 1021 Parts 1 and 2 and the relevant requirements of the Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations.
This makes it suitable for many contract furniture applications where a higher level of fire performance is required than would normally be expected from a domestic upholstery covering.
The suitability of any finished item depends on the complete upholstery construction, including the vinyl, foam, interliner, fillings and furniture design. Contract upholsterers and furniture manufacturers should therefore check the precise specification required for the intended environment and retain the relevant technical certification for the completed project.
For replacement cushions, seating pads and new upholstery builds, Livedale can also supply foam cut to size and a selection of upholstery foam sheets.
Antimicrobial and Easy-Clean Surface
The Universal Range has an antimicrobial surface tested to ISO 22196 and ASTM G21. This makes it particularly useful for healthcare, care, hospitality and educational environments where cleanliness and routine surface maintenance are important.
The non-absorbent PVC surface allows most everyday spills and surface contamination to be cleaned away more easily than with many woven upholstery fabrics. This can make Universal a practical choice for:
- Waiting rooms
- Treatment and consultation areas
- Care facilities
- Dining areas
- Restaurants and cafés
- Classroom and communal seating
- Staff rooms
- Reception areas
- Frequently used household furniture
Antimicrobial performance supports an appropriate cleaning routine but does not replace regular cleaning, disinfection or infection-control procedures.
Universal Vinyl Technical Specification
The current manufacturer specification for the Chieftain Universal Range includes:
- Surface: phthalate-free PVC
- Backing: cotton and polyester
- Approximate total weight: 915g/m²
- Approximate thickness: 1.35mm
- Bursting strength: 1,200+kPa
- Abrasion resistance: 1,000,000 Martindale rubs
- Roll length: approximately 25 metres
- Usable width: approximately 137cm
- Flame retardancy: BS 5852 Ignition Source 5 – Crib 5
- Additional flame testing: EN 1021 Parts 1 and 2
- Antimicrobial testing: ISO 22196 and ASTM G21
- Accelerated ageing test: ISO 1419:1995
The generous weight and thickness give Universal a substantial feel compared with lightweight decorative faux leathers. This heavier construction is particularly appropriate for commercial seating, fixed upholstery and furniture that will receive sustained use.
Technical specifications can be updated by the manufacturer. Where compliance with a particular contract, marine, automotive, healthcare or fire standard is essential, the latest certification should be checked before the material is specified or installed.
Suitable for Commercial and Domestic Upholstery
Although Universal has been developed as a heavy-duty contract vinyl, it can also be used for domestic furniture where a strong, practical and easy-clean surface is preferred.
Suitable projects may include:
- Dining chairs
- Kitchen seating
- Footstools
- Window seats
- Bar stools
- Bench seats
- Headboards
- Caravan and motorhome seating
- Commercial chairs
- Booth and banquette seating
- Reception furniture
- Restaurant furniture
- Treatment couches
- Care-home chairs
The traditional grain works especially well where the customer wants the appearance of leather without the cost, maintenance requirements or natural variation associated with genuine hide.
For marine, automotive or unusually exposed outdoor applications, the precise environmental and certification requirements should be assessed before the material is selected.
Cutting and Upholstering Universal Vinyl
Universal can be handled using conventional upholstery methods, although its heavier contract construction means accurate preparation is important.
Before cutting, check the usable roll width, the direction of the grain and the orientation of every panel. Plan the cutting layout carefully to reduce waste and confirm that matching pieces face in the correct direction.
Sharp upholstery shears and snips will produce cleaner edges and reduce the risk of dragging or distorting the material. Avoid using damaged blades, as rough cuts can create weak points at corners and seam allowances.
For stitched covers, use a suitable upholstery sewing machine, strong thread and the correct needle for coated upholstery materials. Test the thread, stitch length, tension and seam construction on an offcut before beginning the finished cover.
Unlike woven fabric, needle holes in vinyl do not close once made. Repeated stitching over the same line can therefore weaken the material. Seams should be planned carefully and unnecessary unpicking avoided.
Livedale supplies upholstery sewing threads and piping cords for coordinated upholstery work.
Fitting Vinyl to Furniture
When fitting Universal directly to a frame, keep the tension firm and even without overstretching the surface. Excessive tension can distort the grain, place unnecessary strain on seams and fixing points, and increase the risk of damage around corners.
Where a new seat pad is being constructed, the foam should be shaped and supported correctly before the vinyl is fitted. Sharp foam edges can often be softened using a suitable layer of polyester wadding, helping the finished upholstery achieve a smoother and more professional profile.
Work progressively around the furniture rather than fully fixing one side before the others. Temporary placement of staples can help confirm the position and tension before the final fixing pattern is completed.
For workshop installation, Livedale stocks upholstery staples, hand tools and pneumatic upholstery equipment.
Cleaning and Routine Care
Regular cleaning will help maintain the appearance and performance of Chieftain Universal vinyl.
For ordinary surface cleaning:
- Remove loose dust and debris.
- Wipe with warm water and mild soap.
- Use a microfibre cloth or soft hand brush.
- Remove the cleaning residue.
- Dry the surface immediately.
Oil, grease, food stains and ink should be dealt with promptly. Leaving contamination on the surface may make it more difficult to remove and can eventually affect the finish.
Do not use solvents, abrasive cleaners, chlorine products, furniture polish, wax polish or aggressive chemical cleaning agents unless specifically approved by the manufacturer. Strong chemicals and rough cleaning materials can damage the protective surface coating or permanently alter its appearance.
Colour transfer from denim and other strongly dyed textiles may occur, particularly on lighter shades such as Bamboo. Dye transfer is not normally considered a manufacturing fault, so regular inspection and prompt cleaning are advisable.
Where an enhanced disinfection routine is required, follow the current Chieftain cleaning instructions and the safety guidance supplied with the cleaning product. Cleaning products should always be tested first on an inconspicuous area.
Suitable fabric and upholstery cleaners are also available from Livedale.
Choosing Universal or Another Chieftain Range
Universal is a strong choice where the main priorities are durability, Crib 5 performance, straightforward cleaning and a classic leather-style appearance.
Other collections within the wider Chieftain contract vinyl range may be more appropriate where a different colour choice, surface texture or handling characteristic is required.
Consider:
- Just Colour for an extensive selection of bright, neutral and contemporary shades.
- Lionella for a softer faux-leather appearance and handle.
- Riviera for a compact palette of fresh blue, turquoise and lavender tones.
- Traditional for classic upholstery colours and a traditional contract appearance.
- Legend for domestic upholstery projects where the heavier Universal specification is unnecessary.
The correct material will depend on the furniture design, the amount of use expected, cleaning requirements, fire-performance requirements and the desired appearance.
Ordering Chieftain Universal Vinyl
Universal vinyl is sold by the linear metre from a roll approximately 137cm wide. Before ordering, calculate the amount required using the usable width rather than relying only on the total surface area of the furniture.
Allow additional material for:
- Seam allowances
- Piping and boxing
- Grain direction
- Pattern orientation
- Matching pairs of cushions
- Wrapping around frames
- Trial pieces
- Cutting irregular shapes
- Possible future repairs
Ordering the full project quantity together helps reduce the risk of visible shade differences between separate manufacturing batches.
Approved trade customers can access preferential pricing across eligible products after registering for a trade account.