FAQ – Retractable Awnings
FQ. 1 : What is acrylic fabric and why is it best for outdoor shade?
Acrylic fabric is a woven synthetic material made from polymer fibers. It is sought after for its strength, color retention, texture, and easy-care properties.
Advaning only uses 100% acrylic fabrics with additional features to prolong the life, feel, and look of our awnings.
Additional features include: UV80+ protection, mold and mildew resistance, insect-proof, and woven to allow the escape of trapped heat.
Advaning's Prestige and Luxury Series includes a premium ENDURACOLOR™ European made 100% solution-dyed acrylic fabric with a 10-year Fade Resistant Warranty.
This unique fabric is sourced in Spain, from a world leader in outdoor fabrics for over 100 years. Their production method involves pigmenting the acrylic fibers while still in a semi-liquid state. Resulting in a vivid, fully saturated color that won't wash out and has further fade resistance.
View Advaning's Fabric Specification
FQ. 2 : Will rain affect my Advaning fabric?
Although Advaning retractable awnings are robust in construction/materials and are water-resistant, they are not waterproof or intended for rain protection.
Our awnings are made for sun shade, and exposing them to prolonged or extreme rain can damage the fabric and/or retractable arms, as these are not intended to support the weight of water-soaked fabric.
As with any outdoor awning of any brand, Advaning also highly recommends not leaving your open awning unattended and advises always closing the awning when rain, snow, hail, or wind is in the forecast.
If using during rain is inevitable, ensure that the pitch is lowered to allow the rainwater to drain quickly. Monitor the rain, and should rain water begin to collect on the fabric, creating a puddle, use a broom or stick to divert the water from collecting. Water collecting will damage the fabric and may cause the retractable arms to collapse, as they are not intended to support the weight. If possible, avoid closing the awning with wet fabric to avoid excess moisture and mildew from forming.
FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS
A. What is the difference between "waterproof" and "water-resistant"?
Answer: Waterproof is a term used to describe an impermeable object, surface, or material - this type of material is completely water-tight and is made to fully prevent any seepage of liquid through it. Water-resistant is a term used to describe an object, surface, or material that can resist liquid penetration to some degree, but not entirely.
B. What should I do if my awning fabric gets wet and I want to close the awning?
Answer: It is always best to close the awning when completely dry; however, if the awning is closed while wet, open the awning at the first opportunity during dry weather and allow the moisture to fully evaporate.
FQ. 3 : How do I care for the fabric canopy on my Advaning awning?
Advaning awnings are made with top-quality outdoor 100% acrylic fabric that is relatively low maintenance. Exercising a regular annual cleaning can extend the life and overall appearance of your awning.
Dusting the awning two to three times per season is recommended. To dust the awning, a damp cloth, chamois, or soft bristle brush is recommended.
Cleaning the awning once a year or as needed is recommended. To clean your Advaning awning canopy, we recommend lowering its pitch and opening it completely. To better see and access the top of the awning, a ladder or step-stool can be used. Use a mild soap and water mix (1 part soap to 2 parts water) and a general garden hose to gently remove any accumulated dust, dirt, and/or debris. Raise the pitch and allow the fabric to fully dry before retracting it.
FQ. 4 : Can the scallop valance be removed from my Advaning awning?
Advaning's Luxury, Classic, and Slim Gray Series awnings are designed to allow for easy removal of the attached scalloped valance.
Advaning's Prestige Series does not include a valance.
View the Valance Removal Demo Video for Luxury Series
NOTE: If you purchase your Advaning awning directly from the manufacturer, you can request the removal of the valance before your order ships out.
Please notify: order@advaning with your request within 4 hours of placing your order. Ensure to provide the team with your order number in the subject line. Requesting valance removal will prolong the shipping of your order by 2-3 business days.
FQ. 5 : Can I replace the fabric on my Advaning awning?
Advaning's retractable awnings are designed to allow owners to replace the fabric canopy whenever needed.
We can provide a quote for the replacement fabric or any other part/s and will provide full step-by-step instructions.
Due to the Prestige Series full-cassette design, fabric replacement is recommended to be done by a professional.
For a quote or Instructions for fabric replacement, please reach out to Advaning's customer service support team for assistance by email at service@advaning.com
FQ. 6: What are common fabric issues with retractable awning fabrics?
Although Advaning's retractable awnings are manufactured to the highest of standards, we also are subject to common concerns with fabric, fabric settling, and irregularities which cannot be completed prevented during the manufacturing and assembly process.
Most irregularities are typically very small and may be deemed normal if they do not affect the awning's function, however Advaning's product team will be happy to review any and all cases submitted for warranty review.
Wrinkling - Wrinkling can occur when the awning fabric is cut, sewn, or while being inserted onto the frame during manufacturing. Wrinkles can be unsightly, however, can easily be remedied by allowing the awning to sit in the sun fully extended or by using a household hair dryer set on high to heat the fabric by keeping a 3-inch airspace and in a continuous circular motion to treat the wrinkle until it relaxes.
Waves in the Seam - The Luxury, Classic and Slim Gray Series canopy is sewn together with fabric panels. Since two fabric panels overlap in the awning fabrics' seam and hem area, the strip of fabric on top must cover a longer distance when being rolled. This produces tension, which can occasionally result in the formation of small waves in the awning fabric directly adjacent to the sewn seam. Prestige Series fabric panels are fused together, therefore the "Wave in the Seam" issue is less likely to occur.
Waffling - To ensure optimal absorption of the tensile forces in the awning fabric, the warp threads are woven more densely than the weft threads. The different weave of the threads can cause a waffling effect. This effect can be exacerbated by moisture or an unfavorable incidence of light. To prevent this from happening, please always allow awning fabric to be completely dry before retracting when wet - if possible. In very rare cases, the “honeycombs” can also stretch to the middle of the strip of fabric.
Side Web Elongation - The awning fabric must always be kept taut. Here, seams and hems provide additional reinforcement. When the cloth is rolled up, the pressure on seams and hems lying on top of one another can increase. This strain may stretch the awning fabric, which leads to slightly wavy side hems when the awning is extended (image unavailable)
Although Advaning’s retractable awnings are manufactured to the highest of standards, we also are subject to common concerns with fabric, fabric settling, and irregularities which can not be completed prevented during the manufacturing and assembly process. Please note that such irregularities are deemed normal and do not affect the awning function, however Advaning’s product team will be happy to review any and all cases submitted for warranty review.
Wrinkling – Wrinkling can occur when the awning fabric is cut, sewn, or while being inserted onto the frame during manufacturing. Wrinkles can be unsightly, however, can easily be remedied by allowing the awning to sit in the sun fully extended or by using a household hair dryer set on high to heat the fabric by keeping a 3-inch airspace and in a continuous circular motion to treat the wrinkle until it relaxes.
Waves in the Seam – Entire awning canopy is sewn together with fabric panels. Since two fabric panels overlap in the awning fabrics’ seam and hem area, the strip of fabric on top must cover a longer distance. This produces tension, which can occasionally result in the formation of small waves in the awning fabric directly adjacent to the seam.
Waffling – To ensure optimal absorption of the tensile forces in the awning fabric, the warp threads are woven more densely than the weft threads. The different weave of the threads can cause a waffling effect. This effect can be exacerbated by moisture or an unfavorable incidence of light. To prevent this from happening, please always allow awning fabric to be completely dry before retracting when wet – if possible. In very rare cases, the “honeycombs” can also stretch to the middle of the strip of fabric.
Side Web Elongation – The awning fabric must always be kept taut. Here, seams and hems provide additional reinforcement. When the cloth is rolled up, the pressure on seams and hems lying on top of one another can increase. This strain may stretch the awning fabric, which leads to slightly wavy side hems when the awning is extended (image unavailable)