Awnings -- Vinyl vs. acrylic

I had the vinyl type without the Weatherguard and replaced the material with acrylic and Weatherguard.
I prefer the acrylic. It dries faster, is easier to clean and does not mildew like the vinyl did.

There is one downside though. Six years ago we were in NH for a month parked under a couple of pine trees that were dropping sap like crazy. It got on the patio awning, window awnings and the car.

The sap penetrated the acrylic fabric and was a bear to remove. The only thing that worked well was isopropyl alcohol. Daubing it rather than rubbing worked best. That was followed with Dawn and water to remove the residue.

In spite of that I still prefer acrylic but won't park under pine trees again.

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

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.

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?

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

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.