Which Outdoor Fabrics Are Best for Your Awnings, Patio Covers, and Canopies?

After a long year of confinement, we’re all itching to spend time outside the walls of our homes. With that said, the pandemic has taught us to maximize the use of the spaces we have. For example, we’ve learned how to make a living room a workspace, yoga studio, and a family game room. And now that it’s warming up, we’re applying that same philosophy to our outdoor spaces. 

We’re looking for thoughtful ways to improve the functionality of our terraces, patios, and decks, so rain or sun, we can continue to enjoy ourselves. If you’re looking for the best outdoor fabrics for awnings, patio covers, and canopies we’ll help you find the right material for your unique needs. 

What do you need protection from? 

The best way to find your solution is to ask yourself what your outdoor space needs protection from. Knowing that will help you find the most fitting fabric. 

Rain

Need cover from the rain? Then you want a water-resistant fabric. There are two main types of water resistance--water-repellent and waterproof fabrics. If you’re looking for full protection from rain, then you’ll want a waterproof vinyl fabric. This material doesn’t allow any water to penetrate and is heavier than the water-repellent fabrics. Vinyl awnings and covers are often used by restaurants, so they can offer permanent or semi-permanent outdoor seating for their diners. 

However, if you’re looking for something seasonal and temporary, lighter, and less expensive you could go with an acrylic fabric which repels water and is more flexible than vinyl. Acrylic fabrics are great for retractable awnings and patio sunshades. They won’t prevent hard rain from penetrating, but for a home patio, they’re heavy enough to allow you to stay dry outside during light rainfall. And they won’t break the bank. 

Sun and UV rays

If your main concern is direct sunlight and damaging UV rays, then you’ll want a treated synthetic fabric like polyester, vinyl, or acrylic. Each of these fabrics provide UV protection, but the heavier and more opaque the material, the better it limits UV rays. 

Each of these fabrics will cut down sun glare and help control heat. But how do you know which is best for you? Polyester and acrylic are better for temporary canopies and retractable awnings that you take down and put up frequently. They withstand the set up and tear down process better than vinyl, which is less flexible and can crack if rolled up too often or too tightly. Acrylic, however, is stronger than polyester, so if durability is your main concern, take acrylic over polyester. 

Conclusion

No matter what fabric you choose, a patio cover, awning, or canopy will make your outdoor space more comfortable and functional when spring and summer weather throws its worst at you. If you’re looking for an expert to talk to about your specific situation, contact your local draper. Their familiarity with fabrics and their characteristics will help you find the right fabric for your outdoor project.