Tips to Extend the Life of Your Sunshade Fabric Awning

So you have just installed a sunshade fabric awning for your home. It’s all good until you wonder how long it is going to last in Malaysia’s unpredictable weather conditions because it’s a structure installed on the exterior of your house which is meant to endure various natural elements.

That said, like anything else, they need some care and maintenance to keep them in good condition for years. Otherwise, you may need to replace your newly installed fabric awning should it be severely damaged.

Luckily, there are several ways to extend the life of your sunshade fabric awning. Continue reading to learn some of the tips on how you can extend the life of your sunshade fabric awning.

1. Inspect the framework

Oftentimes we forget that the framework of a sunshade fabric awning provides it with some shape and structure. Although damage to the framework is highly unlikely, it pays to check on the framework every now and then. This is to ensure that it doesn’t fall apart during bad weather conditions.

You should also inspect the framework before installation commences to prevent a faulty structure. This is so that you can address the damages as quickly as possible while saving on money and time in the long run.

2. Clean the fabric awning

Dirt and debris are bound to build up on your fabric awning since it is installed on the exterior of your house. However, if you allow the dirt to build up for too long, it will eventually wear out the fabric.

To prevent this from happening, you should clean the fabric awning regularly with mild soap and water. You can also use an outdoor cleaner that is designed for fabrics if you prefer. To keep the fabric looking fresh, consider using a soft bristle brush to remove any loose particles and rinse the fabric thoroughly before allowing it to air dry.

3. Read the operating manual

The operating manual is provided for a reason – to guide you with the right way of operating your sunshade fabric awning, especially retractable ones. This is because it has various moving parts that require a proper operation to smoothly extend and retract the fabric awning.

When your sunshade fabric awning is not in use, you should have it retracted to prevent any damage to the framework and fabric. Also, make sure to not overheat the motor as it has many small gears inside.

4. Tighten the bolts and screws

With repeated use, the bolts and screws of your sunshade fabric awning may become loose over time. This may decrease the operating efficiency of your sunshade fabric awning and increase the need to manually operate it, especially if it’s a retractable fabric awning.

Should you discover some issues with the bolts and screws but you're not sure how to tighten them, you should schedule a maintenance tune-up from your provider. This way, you can prevent further damage to your sunshade fabric awning.

5. Store it during periods of high winds and rain

If you want to extend the life of your sunshade fabric awning, you should store it during periods of high winds and rain. While it may be built to provide some form of protection from the sun and rain, bad weather conditions can damage the framework.

Therefore, to avoid damages, you should retract the awning as high winds can do a lot of damage to the frame as well as the fabric. Also, make sure that there are no sharp objects close by that could puncture the fabric.

6. Use the right cleaning supplies

Fabric awnings typically consist of various materials such as canvas, fabric, metals, and vinyl. Each of these materials requires the use of proper cleaning materials to prevent their degradation.

Meanwhile, for the vinyl and fabric, you can clean them with soap and water or mild detergent. Make sure to rinse off all soap residues to prevent rusting. Avoid applying too much pressure or force on delicate fabrics as they can’t handle the weight and may lose their integrity.

With these tips in mind, you can extend the life of your sunshade fabric awning. Should you require further information about sunshade fabric awning, you can consult a specialist like M & N France Fabric Awning. 

As Malaysia’s commercial awning manufacturer, our team of well-trained technicians can install and replace awnings efficiently to meet your requirements. For more information, contact 012-9891491 or visit our showroom here.