Materials Used In Awnings

Historically, awnings were covered with canvas that was either solid in color or painted with stripes. During the second half of the twentieth century canvas fell out of favor and was superceded by vinyl and other synthetic textiles. For various reasons - particularly its reflectivity and texture-vinyl is generally an unsuitable material for awnings on historic buildings. Many historic review commissions note the inappropriateness of vinyl in their guidelines and call for the use of canvas, canvas blends, or acrylics that resemble canvas.

Weather-resistant acrylic fabrics such as solution-dyed acrylic and acrylic-coated polyester-cotton approximate the historic look of canvas coverings, yet afford a new level of durability, color-fastness, and ease of use. Quality poly-cotton coverings may be more appropriate in some cases because, like traditional awnings, the colors and stripes are painted directly on the upper surface, while the underside remains a pearl gray color.