Awnings covers come in a variety of colors and patterns, but they can really only be made from two different types of material – natural and synthetic fibers. Awning fabric that’s woven from natural fibers is often referred to as “cloth” or “canvas,” and while these two terms still circulate widely today, their actual existence in the marketplace is rare. That’s because most awning manufacturers have switched from using natural fibers to synthetic fibers, like acrylic.
So, why make awning covers with synthetic fibers rather than natural fibers? The short answer is that natural fibers are subject to decay, and therefore can have a short lifespan. Have you ever seen a log rotting in the woods? Well, cloth and canvas are susceptible to a similar process; they can attract mold and mildew, and they will eventually start to rot.
Awning covers woven from synthetic materials, like acrylic, are less likely to suffer such a fate. That’s because their chemical structures are different from those of natural fibers. Because of this, synthetic fabrics are less prone to decay, and will last much longer than fabrics made of natural materials.