Hello folks,After lots of researching and good recommendations from folks here, I bought a replacement fabric for my 13-year-old awning from rvawningsmart.com. The price was certainly reasonable. They tout a "1000 denier weatherguard" that is supposed to protect the vinyl when the awning is rolled up. I ASSUMED (yes, the caps are on purpose) that this would be an additional layer over the vinyl to protect it, so I was surprised to find that this was a strip of different material IN PLACE OF the vinyl, thermally welded to the vinyl, resulting in a seam that runs the length of the awning about 24" down where the "weatherguard" joins the vinyl.This makes no sense to me, and the seam seems like an unnecessary weak point. Why not make the whole awning out of this fabric if it is better?My real question is this: Carefree advertises the same concept, and now advertises a one-piece valance (when I bought my fabric last fall, Carefree was using a two-piece valance). Does Carefree's "Vinyl Weatherguard" overlay the vinyl fabric, or is theirs a two-piece seamed affair as well? Has anyone bought replacement from Carefree this year that can weigh in?Thanks in advance for your help,Regan

Very timely question. I'll be buying new fabric in a few weeks and was wondering about this myself. I would like to buy a replacement awning with the aluminum weatherguard stuff but I have never found replacement awnings like that.Looking forward to the answers.

I had to replace my awning due to storm damage while on the road. RV mobile ordered a new one and put it on so I could get back on the road.I did NOT know that there are 2 types of awning fabric to choose from. :(The original awning fabric one was made very well. Not one thing wrong with it. Except a tornado touching down behind us that did it in.The new replacement one after only a couple of months is bubbling all over and the stitching is very poor on the valance and the valence is nothing more than bubbles now, fabric feels like cheap plastic. I don't suspect this new one will last even another year.So yup do your homework before you buy. There ARE different types of fabric for RV awnings to choose from.

I've shared this here before, but because several of you have "liked" it, I'm sharing it again. I did a project that will provide longer life for my awning fabric.-Speak

All awning guards are different from the awning materialMy awning guard is pleated? Alu segments that cover it when rolled upMy fabric is acrylic, 22 yrs old and still looking good

Thanks to everyone who replied. My questions still remains, though; does the "vinyl weatherguard" shown on Carefree's page here:Carefree Weatherguardconsist of a top piece overlaying the vinyl awning fabric (i.e., the top layer protecting the layer underneath), or is it seamed in place of the vinyl for the upper part of the awning?Thanks, everyone!Regan

Awning Weatherguard? | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

MrWizard
Moderator
May 24, 2017
well I think .. 'stiffer' would be real pain rolling up
Woodtroll
Explorer
May 23, 2017
Yes, that does make sense, thanks. But I swear on my replacement fabric, the strip of weatherguard is thinner than the vinyl fabric. It almost looks like a heavily coated nylon ripstop type fabric, and has a definite stiffer, more "plastic" feel than the actual vinyl.
MrWizard
Moderator
May 23, 2017
its a matter of WEIGHT and look

that extra thick vinyl is a lot heavier than the awning fabric
the whole thing would weigh more, the springs would have to be stronger and tighter to roll it back up
and it would not be near as pretty as the light weight color designed fabric that is the awning material
Woodtroll
Explorer
May 23, 2017
MrWizard wrote:

It is another piece seamed on, only about 18"

Not a complete top coat over the whole awning fabric

Look at the picture in that link, read what it says

I have, indeed, looked at the picture, and read what it said, many times. I am in the habit of doing that before I post a link to something.

When I read the ad, I pictured an additional "sacrificial" layer, exactly what Mr. Speakeasy accomplished with his project, along the top strip of the awning that is exposed to the sun when the awning is rolled up. That makes perfect logical sense to me. I am certainly smart enough not to expect the entire awning to be two layers, but apparently I am not smart enough to ask this question in the right way. I am also not smart enough to understand why two pieces of anything with a 12' to 20'+ seam down the middle joining two dissimilar materials is better than one solid piece of fabric.

On the other hand, the company that I bought my fabric from could not explain why this two-seamed-pieces idea was better, either, so maybe I am not the only one who doesn't understand.
MrWizard
Moderator
May 23, 2017
Woodtroll wrote:
Thanks to everyone who replied. My questions still remains, though; does the "vinyl weatherguard" shown on Carefree's page here:

Carefree Weatherguard

consist of a top piece overlaying the vinyl awning fabric (i.e., the top layer protecting the layer underneath), or is it seamed in place of the vinyl for the upper part of the awning?

Thanks, everyone!
Regan

It is another piece seamed on, only about 18"

Not a complete top coat over the whole awning fabric

Look at the picture in that link, read what it says
j-d
Explorer II
May 23, 2017
If you're concerned about weathering while stored at home, I've heard of using a section of aluminum gutter. Not easy to put in place, but very good protection if it'll be on there months at a time. I don't remember how it was fastened. I'd think something could tie it to the arms.

When the top edge of our old A&E awning turned to potato chips and came loose, we took it off, roller and all. Bought "Top Gun" boat cover fabric. Pieced the 54" wide material till we had a foot and a half or so, length of the awning. Took cord out of old awning and sewed to the Top Gun replacement edge. Then measured carefully and cut away old awning to where the repair piece would seam in place. Two of us walked the awning roller with fabric still rolled onto it, past the person at the commercial sewing machine. I was worried how the joints in the Top Gun would slide in the track but no worry. I didn't care the top foot of the blue awning was gray.
CJW8
Explorer
May 23, 2017
I have covered storage but my RV still gets morning sun until about noon. To protect my awning and graphics I am installing these sunshades from Costco. When I have to replace my awnings in the future I'll buy the Alumaguards from Carefree.
Woodtroll
Explorer
May 23, 2017
Thanks to everyone who replied. My questions still remains, though; does the "vinyl weatherguard" shown on Carefree's page here:

Carefree Weatherguard

consist of a top piece overlaying the vinyl awning fabric (i.e., the top layer protecting the layer underneath), or is it seamed in place of the vinyl for the upper part of the awning?

Thanks, everyone!
Regan
MrWizard
Moderator
May 22, 2017
All awning guards are different from the awning material
My awning guard is pleated? Alu segments that cover it when rolled up

My fabric is acrylic, 22 yrs old and still looking good
SpeakEasy
Explorer
May 22, 2017
I've shared this here before, but because several of you have "liked" it, I'm sharing it again.

I did a project that will provide longer life for my awning fabric.

-Speak

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Awning Weatherguard?

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