gmf’s Rich Friedman joins TG&H On Air to break down what truly matters in casino and hospitality upholstery, from no-burn fabrics to high-abrasion, bleach-cleanable performance built for long-term use.
In casino and hospitality environments, upholstery is a working material—subjected to constant use, frequent cleaning, and real-world wear. The difference between success and failure for an upholstery often comes down to understanding what’s beneath the surface. Rich Friedman, Vice President of Sales at gmf fabrics, explains.
“One of the biggest misconceptions is that all upholsteries are created equal,” Friedman says. “Peak performance upholstery has to meet very specific criteria to hold up long-term in casino and hospitality environments. High abrasion standards, bleach cleanability, designer color options—these aren’t nice-to-haves. They’re essential.”
gmf fabrics has built its reputation on upholsteries engineered for durability, longevity, and ease of maintenance. Many products exceed 200,000 double rubs in abrasion testing, with some surpassing one million, ensuring resilience in high-use seating applications. Bleach cleanability allows operators to maintain strict cleanliness standards without degrading the material over time, which gmf considers a requirement in all high-traffic spaces.
In 2026, the company is expanding its lineup with two new No-Burn Upholstery™ patterns: Temper and Anvil. These additions build on the success of flagship patterns Silo and Cobble, which have already been installed on more than 100,000 chairs. Like their predecessors, Temper and Anvil feature gmf’s proprietary No-Burn chemistry—allowing a lit cigarette to rest on the surface without burning through, a critical advantage in gaming environments where heat damage and repair costs are persistent challenges.
What distinguishes the new patterns is their construction. Advances in material and chemical engineering have allowed gmf fabrics to maintain identical No-Burn performance specifications in a thinner, more malleable upholstery. This opens new possibilities for designers and fabricators alike. Complex furniture shapes—tufted and channeled chairs, banquettes, headboards, etc.—can now be protected with the No-Burn advantage. Both patterns upholster more easily and come in at a lower price point, without compromising durability. Explore No-Burn Upholstery™ here.
Explore No-Burn Upholstery™ here.
gmf fabrics is also introducing five new Wipe-Off™ (graffiti-free) performance patterns—Homestead, Mesh, Orbit, Sierra, and Ernie—engineered to resist ink, dye transfer, and everyday marking. Each pattern brings a distinct visual language while sharing the same performance foundation. Combined with high-abrasion performance, Wipe-Off™ technology helps seating maintain its appearance over time, reducing reupholstery cycles and extending service life. Discover the Wipe-Off™ collection.
For Friedman, the takeaway is simple: “It’s not about the lowest upfront cost. It’s about investing once—and avoiding replacement over and over again.”
Learn more at gmffabrics.com.