A nice motorhome we looked at yesterday had vinyl awnings with aluminum weatherguards. I had not seen this before. Only acrylic (e.g. Sunbrella fabric) with weatherguards, or laminated vinyl with no weatherguards.I know from experience that vinyl with nothing to protect it from the sun has a short life. No doubt the weatherguards will help a lot. I’m not sure what other issues there are with vinyl vs. acrylic.How does vinyl with aluminum weatherguard compare to acrylic with aluminum weatherguard? I’m thinking in terms of lifespan, maintenance needs, and appearance over the years. Other considerations?Thanks.Wayne

Had both. The vinyl lasted several years but we are not full timers and don't spend a lot of time in Flordia or other high sun exposure areas.I would not reject an otherwise desirable coach due to the awning having vinyl. When it gives out, it can be replaced with the Sunbrella fabric.

Vinyl is hot sitting under it. When you have a choice, I would go with anything else. Just my opinion.

I had to have my 'original' awning replaced due to storm damage. I didn't even think about what they were going to replace it with I ASSUMED it would be the same fabric. WRONG.:(They replaced it with a vinyl type fabric. It is hot when sitting under it. It actually increases the temperature. AND it started ripping at the seams, bubbling and pulling away from the roller within 'one year'.Just saying. Anyone know the correct name of the type of awning fabric that comes standard on the MH's?

Mine is a fabric a lot like old tent fabrics. I would call it canvas for lack of a better term. Fairly lightweight and is now ten years old and going strong.Can't say any fabric would be a deal breaker for us.

Empty Nest Soon, I'm not an expert on what is what in terms of calling fabrics an "Acrylic". You could be right, I just don't know. Anyway, we've had several "plastic" or, vinyl type awnings and well, some had to be replaced at an early stage in life and some lasted a bit longer.However, the ones we have now, on all the windows and main awing are Subrella. Sunbrella is designed to be out in the open, for days, weeks, months and even years. Boat covers have been made of it for decades and many that have been made well over a decade ago are still going strong even after that long in direct sun, near boat docks etc. Ours is an '04 Itasca Horizon and we have the "Care free" awnings with the extruded, anodized gold sun covers on all of them. However, they are out for full time, when we're camping, at least 'till a small gust of wind comes up and the auto-retract takes over and pulls it in. But, ours is in flawless shape. I'd go for the Sunbrella in a heartbeat, every time. Scott

Awnings -- Vinyl vs. acrylic | Good Sam Community

Empty_Nest__Soo
Explorer
Jun 11, 2013
chili's trip wrote:
Caution. I followed the Sunbrella cleaning recommendation using bleach on boat camper top and had the stitching let loose while underway a few days later. Good luck.
jack h

I've had stitching let loose without using bleach to clean. It seems to me that this is a product of the type of thread used by whoever made your Bimini top,awning, etc., not the fabric. I figured it was due to UV light from the sun.

In any event, it's worth considering what the thread used will withstand in the way of cleaning products.

I didn't recently read the Sunbrella link I posted, but the used to recommend some sort of 303 brand product, which I found at a marine dealer, to treat the fabric after washing to restore its water repellency.

The fellow who made my stick house awnings uses a power washer to clean them when I have them cleaned and stored for the winter. Not sure what kind of cleaner he uses with the power washer.

Wayne
Clay_L
Explorer
Jun 11, 2013
Here is some info I have collected: Note that A&E says to use a non-chlorine bleach on their acrylic fabric.

From an email to me from A&E:
For your acrylic awing We recommend to use mild detergent and warm water. A 1/2 cup of non chlorine bleach can be used. Once a fabric is cleaned, you may need to retreat with Scotchguard.

From a A&E pdf file on their web site:

Awnings come with two types of fabric…acrylic, a cloth-type fabric, or vinyl. Is one better than the other? Not really. It’s a matter of taste and preference.
Acrylic awnings have the color woven right into the fabric. Acrylic also performs a little differently than
vinyl in wet weather. It is water repellent, not waterproof. Because it’s a woven cloth, it breathes. Air circulates through the fabric so dew and rain can dry quickly. However, you should avoid touching the underside of an acrylic awning when it is wet. This will break the surface tension and allow seepage through the fabric. If your awning gets rolled up while wet, unroll it as soon as the weather allows. It should be completely dry before rolling it up again to avoid mildew.
To keep your acrylic awing clean, simply hose it off occasionally and let it dry. Do not scrub your acrylic awning as this could remove its water retardant finish. If you need to remove a grease spot, use K2R Spot Remover; this is different than how you would remove a similar spot from a vinyl awning.similar spot from a vinyl awning.

While a vinyl awning is mildew resistant, mildew can still form on the dirt and dust that sticks to the awning. To avoid these problems you will need to keep your UV-protected vinyl awning clean. Use a mixture of 1/4 cup dish soap, 1/4 cup bleach and five gallons of fresh water. Soap the open awning with this mixture, then roll it up to soak for five minutes while you apply the mixture to the bottom of the awning. Next, open the awning and hose it off with fresh water top and bottom. Repeat this process if necessary.

After the awning is completely dry, roll it up. To remove a grease spot from a vinyl awning, use only soap and water.
Do not use household cleaners, mildew removers or hard bristle brushes!
chili_s_trip
Explorer II
Jun 11, 2013
Empty Nest, Soon wrote:
Camper Ken wrote:
. . . What's the best way to clean a fabric awning?

Here's the recommendations from the leading manufacturer.

http://www.sunbrella.com/en/how/cleaning/index.php

Wayne

Caution. I followed the Sunbrella cleaning recommendation using bleach on boat camper top and had the stitching let loose while underway a few days later. Good luck.
jack h
mike_brez
Explorer
Jun 11, 2013
wny_pat wrote:
RFCN2 wrote:
Our Sunbrella awnings are 11 years old now and in very good condition. We also had Sunbrella on our sailboat. That is the fabric I would insist on.
Our Sunbrella fabric on Zip Dee awnings will be 20 years old this fall and still in good condition.

Same here. Almost 20 years old. Mine are in excellent condition
Empty_Nest__Soo
Explorer
Jun 11, 2013
Camper Ken wrote:
. . . What's the best way to clean a fabric awning?

Here's the recommendations from the leading manufacturer.

http://www.sunbrella.com/en/how/cleaning/index.php

Wayne
Camper_Ken
Explorer
Jun 11, 2013
Our new motorhome has a fabric awning (had vinyl before). What's the best way to clean a fabric awning?
wny_pat1
Explorer
Jun 11, 2013
RFCN2 wrote:
Our Sunbrella awnings are 11 years old now and in very good condition. We also had Sunbrella on our sailboat. That is the fabric I would insist on.
Our Sunbrella fabric on Zip Dee awnings will be 20 years old this fall and still in good condition.
RFCN2
Explorer
Jun 11, 2013
Our Sunbrella awnings are 11 years old now and in very good condition. We also had Sunbrella on our sailboat. That is the fabric I would insist on.
sowego
Explorer
Jun 10, 2013
Our main awning is fabric not vinyl and it has held up well but then again, we don't keep it out much. Our slide awnings and front door awning are fabric covered with vinyl and have weather badly and got punched through with holes from hail. If we had to replace our awning we would be to stay with fabric. The fabric most likely is microfiber polyester but could be acrylic. Either fabric holds up well to weather, is breathable so dries fast when wet.
Empty_Nest__Soo
Explorer
Jun 10, 2013
OP here. The "canvas" or "tent fabric" awning material is acrylic. Sunbrella is the best-known brand. I have awnings made from this on the stick house in Ohio. It's great.

I had a bad experience with vinyl (and no weatherguard) on the TT -- only lasted about 3 years until it started delaminating and it was soon a mess. I was set on having acrylic with weatherguard on the first MH we buy soon. If it didn't have it, I poloanned on budgeting about $2,000 to add it.

Not sure how much the weatherguard will help the vinyl, or what problems may occur.

Each having weatherguard, I've been told that acrylic will mildew worse when rolled up compared to vinyl. I suppose if either is undercover, and dry when stored, this should be a non-issue.

I'm wondering how vinyl with the weatherguard compares to acrylic with weatherguard. Wondering how happy I might be with vinyl if it has the weatherguard, or if I should still plan on having to spend money to upgrade awnings if I choose to buy the one with vinyl and aluminum weatherguard.

The MH I looked at is stretching the budget already, and I'm wondering if this is another expense I should consider when comparing it to others.

Wayne