Awning Fabric Replacement: When to Recover or Replace

Most awnings don’t fail all at once. The fabric fades, a seam lets go, a stain won’t come out, and one spring the awning just looks tired. The aluminum or steel frame underneath is usually fine. That’s why so much of our work is recovers: new fabric, cut and sewn to fit the frame that’s already on the house.

Nearly 30 years ago we had the privilege of working with Rose City Awning and having our first awning installed. When it came time to replace it, we chose to work with them again.

Signs your awning needs new fabric

• Color that’s faded unevenly, or fabric that feels stiff or papery
• Seams opening or thread breaking down along the edges
• Stains or mildew that come back after cleaning
• Tears, holes or worn spots where the fabric rubs the frame
• Water pooling or the cover sagging between frame members
• A new logo, color or business name you want on the awning anyway

Recover, service or replace?

On retractable awnings, “it won’t go out” is usually mechanical, not fabric. Budget awnings often use a glued rubber belt that slips as it ages; Steve explains why in why we use stainless steel chains. We service motors, limit switches and hardware, including on awnings another company installed. Worn or torn fabric always gets a new cover rather than a patch. See awning repair and recovering in Portland for the full list.

What a recover involves

1. Specs or a site measureIf we built the awning, its dimensions and fabric are likely on file. If not, we measure the frame on site.
2. Pick the fabricChoose from Sunbrella and other proven awning fabrics in solids and stripes, in person in our NW Nela Street showroom or from samples.
3. Cut and sewThe cover is cut on the long table and sewn in the shop, some of it on Betsy, the shop’s Singer.
4. Add graphicsLogos and lettering are cut on our SGS 100 graphics machine and applied with 3M Scotchcal ElectroCut film.
5. InstallOur own crew fits the new cover to the frame.

Can you match my old fabric? Often. Rose City Awning belongs to the International Fabrics Association, which gives us access to its large fabric database for hard-to-find patterns. We’ve color-matched a replacement cover from a photo.

How to measure for replacement awning fabric

For a ballpark, rough numbers and photos are enough; we confirm exact measurements before anything is cut. This guide is about awnings on homes and businesses. RV awning fabric is a different, standard-sized product.

1. WidthMeasure the frame from side to side, along the wall.
2. ProjectionMeasure how far the awning sticks out from the wall.
3. Drop and valanceMeasure the height of the front face and note the valance: straight, scalloped or none.
4. Shape and photosNote the shape (traditional, dome, concave, convex) and take a straight-on photo plus one from the side.

How to clean awning fabric so it lasts

Most fabric awnings can be cleaned in place. For Sunbrella fabric, Sunbrella’s own guidance is the reference we point people to:

1. Brush off loose dirtUse a soft brush on the dry fabric.
2. Wash with mild soapMild soap in cold to lukewarm water, worked in with a soft brush.
3. Rinse thoroughlyRemove all soap residue, then let the fabric air dry.
4. Mildew stainsSunbrella’s solution is 1 cup of bleach and 1/4 cup of mild soap per gallon of water, soaked into the fabric for up to 15 minutes, then scrubbed and rinsed thoroughly.

Those steps are for Sunbrella. Check the maker’s instructions for any other fabric before using bleach. In Portland, a good rinse before the rainy season starts keeps leaves and grime from sitting on the fabric all winter. We offer cleaning and maintenance, and we’re happy to share the names of pressure-washing companies if you’d rather hire one directly.