There are two main types of fabrics used in the construction of helium parade balloons. First, there is the inexpensive rolls of vinyl. This is what they use to make swimming pool toys. Very stretchy and swells up out of shape when heated by the noon day sun. When exposed to cold conditions, like an icy day in November, the material will crack and cause helium or air to leak out through those cracks. Some rolls of vinyl have a fabric membrane and are coated with vinyl on one or both sides. This keeps the material from stretching out of shape but the cold crack condition is still an issue and can create leaks in the balloon. The fabric that Parade Giants LLC uses and also was a part in its development is a urethane coated and laminated nylon ripstop. There is no cold crack issue with this fabric. The nylon ripstop keeps the balloon from stretching out of shape. The laminated film on the inside of the fabric is helium holding and the coated outside of the fabric allows for flexible paint to be applied in custom colors and detailing.

*With better helium holding.

*Ability to be used in cold conditions.

*Custom colors and detailing with flexible paint.

These facts make urethane fabric the fabric of choice by all of the leading helium parade balloon manufacturers.