In an awning system the profile and motor are long-lived; the component that actually wears is the fabric. Sun, rain, dust and temperature swings act directly on the fabric surface. Fabric choice is therefore the decision that determines how many years the awning will look good and how well it will protect. In this article we compare acrylic, PVC-coated polyester and screen fabrics by their technical properties.
Acrylic fabrics are the classic choice for awning applications. Their distinguishing feature is being solution dyed: the colour pigment is mixed into the fibre while it is still liquid. The colour is therefore in the fibre itself, not on the fabric's surface. In fabrics with colour printed on the surface, the colour wears and fades over time; in solution-dyed acrylic the pigment sits inside the fibre and holds its tone years later.
Acrylic's second notable property is that it breathes. The woven structure lets air through, so the warm air collecting underneath can rise. That keeps the seating area beneath the awning cooler. Under closed-surface fabrics the air is trapped and the sensation of heat increases. Breathability makes a tangible comfort difference on terraces used heavily in summer.
Acrylic's limit is water. The fabric is treated with a water-repellent finish; some of the rain beads on the surface and runs off. But that is not waterproofing. In prolonged or heavy rain the fabric wets through and eventually lets water pass. Positioning an acrylic awning as sun protection rather than rain protection is the correct expectation.
PVC-coated polyester fabrics differ at this point. A PVC coating is applied over a polyester carrier weave, producing a closed, non-porous surface. That surface is waterproof. Rain does not penetrate the fabric; it runs off the surface. Where use must continue on rainy days too, as on café and restaurant terraces, PVC fabric is preferred.
PVC fabric's second advantage is ease of cleaning. The closed surface keeps dirt from entering the fibre; dust and soot stay on the surface and come off easily with soapy water. In urban locations with heavy exhaust and construction dust this makes a marked difference. On acrylic, dirt can settle between the weave and cleaning is more laborious.
The trade-off with PVC is that it does not breathe. The closed surface stops air as well; on hot days air is trapped underneath and the sensation of heat rises. The surface also radiates heat downwards once it warms up. In areas used heavily in summer where coolness in the shade is expected, that is a decisive disadvantage. You have to choose between waterproofing and coolness.
Screen fabrics work on a different logic. They aim not at full closure but at controlled permeability. They are woven from PVC-coated yarns over a glass fibre or polyester core and have a certain openness factor. That factor determines how much light and view pass through. Screen fabrics are used in vertical applications, particularly in zip screen systems.
Openness factor is the central concept in choosing a screen fabric. Low-factor fabrics cut more sun and increase privacy but block more of the view. High-factor fabrics let you see out better, but sun control weakens. On a terrace with a Bosphorus view a factor that preserves the view is chosen; in a west-facing office, a tighter factor that cuts the sun.
The colour behaviour of screen fabrics also runs counter to expectation. Light colours reflect more heat but glare when seen from inside, and the view looks washed out. Dark colours absorb more heat but preserve contrast when looking out; the view reads clearly. Where the view matters a dark tone is preferred, and where heat control matters a light tone.
Weight is the fabric's mass per square metre and a rough indicator of durability. Heavier fabric is thicker and stronger; it flexes less in wind and resists tearing better. Against that it is heavier and takes more volume when rolled up, which can affect cassette dimensions on a cassette awning. Heavy weight suits wide and wind-exposed applications; medium weight is enough for small, sheltered ones.
Seam and weld lines come up where the fabric width does not cover the façade. The joint is the fabric's weakest point. In a stitched joint the needle holes create a line open to water passage, which is a problem particularly on PVC fabric that is expected to be waterproof. In a high-frequency welded joint the two surfaces are melted and fused; the result is both waterproof and stronger.
Maintenance follows similar logic on all three fabric types. Fabric must never be retracted while wet; rolled up damp it develops mildew and stains, and those stains usually do not come out. Cleaning a few times a year with a soft brush and cold soapy water is enough. Bleach, solvents and high-pressure washing must not be used; they damage acrylic's water-repellent finish and PVC's coating. We covered maintenance detail in our article on fabric lifespan.
Lifespan expectations should be set realistically. A quality fabric serves for many years when used correctly; but no fabric lasts as long as the profile. Fabric is the awning's planned renewable part. The good news: replacing fabric does not require replacing the mechanism. Profile, arms and motor stay in place; only the fabric is removed and a new one fitted. Investing in the mechanism at first installation is therefore sensible.
In summary: if sun control and coolness are your priority, solution-dyed acrylic; if use on rainy days and easy cleaning are your priority, PVC-coated polyester; if you want to cut sun on glass façades while preserving the view, screen fabric is the right choice. The decision comes from assessing the location's sun exposure, wind load, intensity of use and view expectation together. You can review our awning systems and we can go through the fabric colour card together during the survey.
To determine the fabric type and colour suited to your location on site, request a free site survey.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Acrylic has a water-repellent finish; it sheds light rain from the surface but wets through in prolonged or heavy rain. If waterproofing is required, PVC-coated polyester is chosen.
That the colour pigment is mixed into the fibre while it is still liquid. Because the colour is inside the fibre rather than on the surface it does not fade years later; surface-printed fabrics wear over time.
If the view matters, a dark tone: it absorbs more heat but preserves contrast when looking out. If heat control is the priority, a light tone reflects more, though it glares.
