Understanding Retractable Awning Replacement Fabric
Retractable awnings are an excellent addition to any outdoor space, providing shade and protection from the elements. Over time, the fabric on retractable awnings can become worn, faded, or damaged, necessitating replacement. When it comes to replacing the fabric on your retractable awning, there are a few key things to consider.
Retractable Awnings: Ultimate Flexibility
Awnings come in all shapes and sizes, with highly customizable options available through many fabricators and retailers. Retractable awnings offer the most flexibility in look and use with protective shading when you need it and open air when you don’t, not to mention the ability to integrate your retractable awning with your smart home devices.
Energy Efficiency with Sunbrella Shade
Shade fabrics provide passive solar protection, meaning adding an awning to your home will help you to keep the inside of your house cooler and reduce energy needs during warm summer months. During the winter, you can keep your retractable awning closed to allow more sunlight inside your home. This will help increase the temperature inside your home and keep your heating bill down.
There are several options for how to go about purchasing an awning for your home. PYC Awnings is one of the best in the industry, providing fabric for beautiful awnings and shade structures for residential homes.
Choosing the Right Fabric
Selecting the right fabric for your Retractable Awning Replacment Fabric is crucial. Look for durable, weather-resistant materials that offer UV protection to ensure longevity and performance. Fabrics such as solution-dyed acrylic or vinyl-coated polyester are popular choices for their durability and color retention.
All Sunbrella fabrics are manufactured with Color to the Core™ technology. This proprietary process means each foundational fiber is saturated with color and UV-stabilized pigments. Once saturated, the proprietary fiber is spun into yarns which are then woven into our long-lasting performance fabric.
Color to the Core™ technology ensures years of beautiful living with color that stays true over time, maintaining the strength and integrity of the fabric through years of cleaning, wear, and exposure to the elements.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends certain Sunbrella fabrics in shading products as part of a complete sun protection regimen, including regular use of sunscreen, to aid in preventing sun-induced skin damage.
The perfect addition for elevating your outdoor living areas, awnings made with Sunbrella Shade fabrics deliver maximum comfort and protection, turning your patio into a beautiful porch-like retreat. Make your awning do even more with a retractable option for protective shading when you need it, and open air when you don’t.
Taking Proper Measurements
Accurate measurements are essential when replacing the fabric on your retractable awning. Measure the width and projection of the awning to ensure the replacement fabric fits properly and functions as intended. Measurements do not need to be exact but should be within 1″ for a proper fit.
Hiring a Professional vs. DIY Replacement
Most homeowners opt to replace the fabric on their retractable awning themselves, hiring a professional can be quite costly. Awning frames do not need to be removed to change the fabric. The fabric runs in a track on the framework making it easy to change.
Cost Considerations
The cost of replacing the fabric on a retractable awning can vary depending on the size of the awning, and the type of fabric chosen. It's essential to weigh the cost of replacement against the increased longevity and performance of the new fabric. Sunbrella and other solution-dyed acrylic fabrics will be more expensive than polyester but can last up to 25 years with proper care.
Sunbrella Fabric
Sunbrella fabrics redefined the outdoor experience in the 1960s with durable and functional awnings. Decades later our versatile fabrics are still engineered with innovative technology and designed in an extensive range of colors and styles to ensure it fits your needs. Create a comfortable and protective outdoor retreat with awnings, canopies, and pergolas featuring Sunbrella shade fabrics.
Maintenance and Care
Once the replacement fabric is installed, proper maintenance is key to extending its lifespan. Regular cleaning and inspection can help prevent premature wear and damage, preserving the functionality and appearance of the awning.
One of the best ways to keep Sunbrella® fabrics looking good is to hose fabrics off on a monthly basis with clean water. This helps prevent dirt from becoming deeply embedded in the fabric and eliminates the need for more frequent vigorous cleaning. In most environments, a thorough cleaning will be needed every two to three years.
When it's time for a thorough cleaning, Sunbrella fabrics can be cleaned while still on an awning frame, or, size permitting, they can be removed to aid in the cleaning of stubborn stains or for professional cleaning.
General or Light Cleaning
To clean Sunbrella while still on an awning frame:
- Brush off loose dirt.
- Hose down.
- Prepare a cleaning solution of water and mild soap or use Sunbrella multi-fabric cleaner or a cleaner such as 303™ Multi-Surface Cleaner.
- Use a soft bristle brush to clean.
- Allow the cleaning solution to soak into the fabric.
- Rinse thoroughly until all soap residue is removed.
- Air dry.
- May not require re-treatment depending on the age of the fabric.
For roof run-off or other similar spills a strong degreaser.
Final Thoughts
Retractable awning replacement fabric is an investment in the longevity and performance of your outdoor space. By choosing the right fabric, and ensuring proper measurements, you can enjoy the benefits of a refreshed and reliable awning for years to come.
Awnings are a great way to create a comfortable outdoor living space in the summer. Over the last few years, retractable awnings have become an increasingly popular way to shade and protect a deck or patio area. Depending on the quality of the retractable awning, the awning fabric may start to fade or look a little shabby. Luckily, replacing awning fabric is fairly easy and a great project you can do yourself!
When it comes to your home, you should never settle for less. Investing in your own space is of utmost importance and creating a beautiful space for your family to enjoy is always a priority.
Get started today and let Sunbrella help you create your own personal outdoor oasis with reliable, durable, and beautiful shade fabric options to make your dreams a reality.