coverSMART | soft-backed cover fabric
Steenbok Non-Woven Cover Fabric
Steenbok ripstop with a soft black backing bonded to it: 380gsm, 1.8m wide, waterproof on the face and kind to paintwork on the back. For vehicle covers, seats and cushions. South African made and held in Midrand. Making a bakkie tonneau? See our tonneau cover fabric: 570gsm standard or 630gsm stretch, both black.
Cut by the metre with no minimum order, or take the full 50m roll. Nationwide delivery, and export Ex Works Midrand.
Cut metres and full rolls price differently. Send the number of metres you need and we will send pricing.
Which one do I need?
What is Steenbok Non-Woven?
Steenbok Non-Woven is Steenbok ripstop with a soft black non-woven backing bonded to it: 380gsm, 1.8m wide and made in South Africa. The face is waterproof; the backing is soft, stops the fabric scratching what it covers, and makes it thicker. That makes it the one for vehicle covers, fuller seats and cushions.
Face out, backing in. The Steenbok face is waterproof and goes towards the weather. The soft black backing faces the vehicle or whatever you are covering. The backing is not waterproof and should be kept dry.
Softer on vehicles. The backing is kinder to paintwork than a bare fabric, so it is the better choice for vehicle, caravan and camper covers that sit against the body.
Thicker for seats and cushions. Like Steenbok, it is soft. The bonded backing adds thickness, which gives a fuller seat and a fuller cushion. Outdoor cushions for a coastal home have been made from it.
Built to stay outside. The face holds back more than 500mm of water (ISO 811). It is UV resistant and fungal resistant, and it tests at 1,000 N per 5cm or more along the roll and across it (BS 13934-1). A water repellent finish is available on top.
Our most premium Steenbok. It is priced above Steenbok 290gsm and ripstop canvas, because of the bonded backing. If you do not need the backing, Steenbok 290gsm is the more economical choice.
It is made here. Steenbok Non-Woven is manufactured in South Africa and held in our Midrand warehouse. Every roll carries its own batch number, so any roll can be traced back to its batch.
Steenbok Non-Woven, Steenbok 290gsm or ripstop canvas?
Three fabrics with the same ripstop weave. Softness, backing, width and price are what separate them.
| Steenbok Non-Woven | Steenbok 290gsm | Ripstop canvas | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose it when | The cover touches a vehicle’s paint, or a seat or cushion should be fuller. | A soft cover that drapes: caravans, canopies, furniture, mattresses. | A stiffer cover, tent or bag, at a lower price. |
| Feel | Soft and thicker, with a black non-woven backing | Soft | Stiffer |
| Weight | 380gsm | 290gsm | 300, 400 or 500gsm |
| Width | 1.8m | 2.4m | 1.8m |
| Water penetration (ISO 811) | More than 500mm, face side | 800mm or more | More than 1,000mm |
| Colours | Olive, dove grey, charcoal, black | Olive, dove grey, charcoal, black | Full colour range |
| Full roll | 50m | 50m | 50m |
| Price | The highest of the three | Above ripstop canvas | The lowest of the three |
| Origin | South African made | South African made | South African made |
Figures are from the coverSMART and ripSMART technical data sheets. All three are cut by the metre with no minimum order and held in Midrand. On a phone this table stacks into three cards.
What people make from it
Whatever it becomes, it works because it starts with Smart Ikhaya.
Choosing a seat fabric? Our guide to car seat upholstery fabric in South Africa compares the options. Working on something else? Send a photo on WhatsApp.
Which colours does Steenbok Non-Woven come in?
Olive, dove grey, charcoal and black, the same as Steenbok 290gsm. Black is the one most customers order; charcoal and black are still to be photographed.
Also worth a look
These work well alongside Steenbok Non-Woven.
Steenbok 290gsm
The same soft Steenbok without the backing: lighter, 2.4m wide, and priced below Non-Woven.View product →
Ripstop canvas
The same ripstop weave, stiffer and priced below Steenbok. 300, 400 and 500gsm, 1.8m wide.View product →
How to order
Four steps. Phone, WhatsApp or email Smart Ikhaya, whichever suits you.
Work out your metres
Steenbok Non-Woven comes 1.8m wide. Tell us how many linear metres you need, or what you are covering and its size, and we will help you work it out.
Get your quote
Phone, WhatsApp or email Smart Ikhaya with it. You get pricing, stock confirmation and delivery cost back the same day.
Delivery or collection
Local courier available. Exports: you arrange collection from our Midrand warehouse (Ex Works).
Payment
We reserve the stock for you from the moment we quote, and release it as soon as your EFT clears.
Sewing it? Sew it with Serafil M20 thread: UV-stabilised, heavy duty polyester on 3,000m cones, in black, white, grey and orange.
Steenbok Non-Woven FAQ
What is Steenbok Non-Woven?
Steenbok ripstop with a soft black non-woven backing bonded to it. It is 380gsm and 1.8m wide, waterproof on the face, and made in South Africa.
What is the difference between Steenbok and Steenbok Non-Woven?
The backing. Steenbok Non-Woven has a soft black non-woven layer bonded to the back, which makes it thicker and kinder to paintwork. Steenbok 290gsm has no backing; it is lighter, 2.4m wide and costs less.
Which side faces out?
The Steenbok face, which is the waterproof side. The soft black backing faces whatever you are covering, where it protects the surface. Keep the backing dry.
Is Steenbok Non-Woven waterproof?
The face is: it holds back more than 500mm of water (ISO 811). The backing is not waterproof, which is why it faces inwards and should be kept dry. A cover is only as waterproof as its seams, so seal the stitch lines if water must be kept out completely.
What colours does it come in?
Olive, dove grey, charcoal and black, the same as Steenbok 290gsm. Black is the colour most customers order.
How long is a full roll, and is there a minimum order?
A full roll is normally 50m, and we confirm the exact length on your quote. There is no minimum order: we cut by the linear metre off the roll, at the full 1.8m width.
Is it locally made?
Yes. Steenbok Non-Woven is manufactured in South Africa and we hold it in Midrand. Every roll carries its own batch number.
Why do you not show prices?
Price moves with quantity, and a cut metre does not price the same as a full roll. Send the number of metres and your delivery town and we will send pricing, the same day.
Ready to order
Get pricing on Steenbok Non-Woven
Olive, dove grey, charcoal or black, 1.8m wide, cut by the metre with no minimum order or the full 50m roll. Held in Midrand and delivered anywhere in South Africa.
To quote you, send
- Number of linear metres, and the colour
- Cut lengths or a full roll
- Delivery town, or collection from Midrand
Prefer email? lizl@smartikhaya.co.za