Within the Awning industry the fabric is generally standard, meaning that just about every awning company offers the same fabrics and does not hold a proprietary line.
In general, these fabrics can be broken down into a few categories;
1)
Vinyl Awning FabricThe type of fabric is chosen based on use and weather conditions.
All of the above referenced fabrics are engineered to withstand various climates and have good abrasion resistance and have a lifespan of between 5 to 15 years.
Vinyl fabrics can be broken down into two main manufacturing processes; 1) laminated and 2) coated vinyl.
Acrylic fabric is generally considered to be an upscale material.
Vinyl-laminated Polyesters are strong, quick-drying, and tend to have wrinkle resistance and crease retention both wet and dry. Some vinyl-laminated polyesters, fabricated specifically for backlighting, are highly translucent.
Fabrics meant for standard uses are more translucent depending on their color (Lighter colors are more translucent then darker colors). Vinyl-laminated Polyester fabrics weigh between 16-24 ounces, are resistant to UV light, mildew, water, and are recommended for use in areas of sustained high humidity. Polyester based fabrics are available in solids, stripes and custom patterns. Standard warranties range from five to ten years.
Cotton, or commonly referred to as cotton duck, is a
heavy plain woven fabric. Although not commonly used nationally for awnings
today, cotton duck is extremely durable and excellent in cold weather
climates on smaller scale projects. Cotton duck is strong and flexible with
unique self-contouring characteristics. It is water and mildew repellent.
Standard warranties range from three to five years.