It could be time to repair the fabric of your RV awning if it is ripped, torn, or sagging. Although replacing the fabric on your RV awning may seem like a difficult undertaking, it is actually a straightforward DIY project that only requires a few simple tools and a friend. Even better, you can avoid having to have your RV serviced or paying for a whole awning repair by just updating or changing the fabric yourself.
One of the most crucial things to think about when shopping for a canopy that will adorn your house for many years is the fabric that is used to manufacture awnings for windows, doors, patios, and pergolas. Every awning’s fabric is its most striking feature, so pick a style and color that appeal to your sense of style and go well with the design of your house.
Here is a guide that how to replace awning fabric on rv.
- What is Awning Fabric?
One of the most crucial things to think about when shopping for a canopy that will adorn your house for many years is the fabric that is used to manufacture awnings for windows, doors, patios, and pergolas. Every awning’s fabric is its most striking feature, so pick a style and colour that appeal to your sense of style and go well with the design of your house. Also, you’ll want to be sure that the awning fabric you select will look good for many years to come with little maintenance on your part.
2. Different Types of Fabrics
Acrylic Awnings
This synthetic cloth is of the highest caliber. The acrylic fabric has a wool-like texture to it. It repels water while wicking moisture. If you don’t want the dyed color to fade, this is the finest option. Acrylic awnings are great options for anyone who want their awning to look the same years after installation or who plan to extend it permanently. Because they can cost up to ten times more than canvas awnings, acrylic awnings are the only one of the three that are considered a premium fabric.
Canvas Awnings
Cotton, hemp, or linen are used to make canvas, which is then woven into linen. By ounces per square yard, canvas is most commonly categorised. A heavier fabric requires more material, which raises the price. The thicker canvas is more durable and can withstand hail, snow, and wind.
Sadly, canvas awnings require regular reapplication of clear varnish to prevent the growth of mould, mildew, or even rot. Awnings made of canvas will also fade with time from exposure to the sun.
Vinyl Awnings
The 18 ounces per square yard weight of this kind of acrylic is comparable to that of thicker canvas. This synthetic material is mold-, mildew-, and flame-resistant in addition to being malleable and flexible.
Since vinyl awnings have more layers and are more expensive than a comparable-sized canvas awning, this is their biggest disadvantage. Moreover, they are unable to adequately dry or let air through. Due to this, these awnings may feel a little stuffy and less fashionable than those made of other materials.
Awnings made of metal can be painted to complement a building. This awning remains in place permanently and is the greatest option for people who want it.
Metal Awnings
From the 1950s and the 1970s, metal awnings were extremely common. Awnings made of metal can be painted to complement a building. This awning remains in place permanently and is the greatest option for people who want it.
Metal awnings lost popularity since they need to be regularly painted in order to avoid rust. Moreover, metal awnings require a more thorough cleaning procedure and are easily dented.
Fiberglass awnings
Awnings made of fiberglass rather than steel are lighter. Contrary to steel, the color is molded into the material and doesn’t need to be painted over. They can be translucent or opaque, enabling light to pass through.
Fiberglass has drawbacks as well. Its owner cannot readily change its appearance because it does not require painting. Also, over time, this kind of awning may crack and become brittle, calling for replacement.
Depending on the details of your awning, several tools may be required for this undertaking, including: Vice Grips, RV Caulk, and Safety Glasses, Sharpie, wire cutters, and flat-head or Phillips screws, measuring tape, a razor blade cutter, a nail or pin to secure the awning spring, and a drill.
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- How to replace awning fabric on rv
Depending on the details of your awning, several tools may be required for this undertaking, including:
Vice Grips, RV Caulk, and Safety Glasses, Sharpie, wire cutters, and flat-head or Phillips screws, measuring tape, a razor blade cutter, a nail or pin to secure the awning spring, and a drill.
You’ll also need your replacement materials, of course.
· Pull Out the Awning
Pulling off the current awning is the first step in changing the fabric on your RV awning. Pull out your awning after flipping the awning clasp to the “out” position. The stabilising arms should then be pulled out and locked into position.
· Lock Springs in Place
A tightly wrapped spring inside the awning tube of manual awnings retracts the awning and holds it in position while driving.
Ensure that the awning lever on the front of the Domestic A&E awning is in the “roll down” position before attempting to lock the spring in place.
Put a pin or nail into the other endcap of the awning tube once the lever is in the “roll down” position.
Using a vice hold on the front shaft of the awning tube while detaching it from the awning arm is the final step to ensuring the spring is locked into place.
If you don’t hold this vice grip, the spring can unwind violently and cause damage or physical harm. In changing the fabric of your awning, it’s important to take this safety precaution.
· Remove Awning Tube from Awning Arms
Remove the bolt from the awning arm to release the awning tube on the front of the RV while maintaining the vice grip.
Make sure the lever doesn’t move from the “roll down” position by bumping it. This lever aids in maintaining the spring’s lock-in position.
After separating the awning tube from the front RV arm, set it up on a firm surface and repeat the process for the rear awning.
· Unwinding the Spring
Holding the cap in place while unwinding the spring with a vice grip while using a screwdriver
Use a vice grip to manually unwind the spring after separating the awning tube from the RV’s arms.
You must keep track of the number of rotations made while unwinding the spring because the new awning will be wound the same number of times.
During this step, it helps to have two persons since you need to insert a screwdriver into the roller tube’s lid to stop the roller from rolling while you unwind the spring.
Turn the lever to the “roll up” position when you have the vice grips and screwdriver in a proper position to unwind the spring.
When you unlock this lever, make sure you have a strong hold on the vice grip; otherwise, the spring will unwind quickly on its own. This carries a significant risk.
When there is no longer any tension or pressure on the vice grips, the spring is unwound.
· Remove Awning End Cap
The roller tube’s end cap will then need to be removed. Draw a little line with a sharpie on the tube and cap so you can reassemble it with a starting point.
Pull out the awning spring by removing the end cover.
· Remove Awning Roller from Awning Fabric
You may slip the awning roller off of the old awning fabric after removing the end cap.
· Removing Old Awning Fabric
It’s time to take out the awning fabric after you’ve taken out the awning arms. (If your awning has a rain gutter on the edge, you will need to remove it in order to slide the awning out.)
Next, the old awning fabric is secured in place by screws on either end. The old fabric ought to slide out once you remove these fasteners. This method is rather straightforward, but it does call for some strength.
· Scrub Out Dirt and Grime
It’s a wonderful time to clean off any dirt and grime that has gathered close to the awning track once the old awning fabric has been removed. Moreover, this is a wonderful opportunity to tape over any sharp edges to prevent ripping the fabric of your new awning when you install it. You may also scrub the years’ worth of grime off of your awning roller tube.
It’s time to put your new awning up now.
· Installing New Awning Fabric
The new awning cloth must first be slid into the track on top of the RV in order to be installed.
· Re-Installing Awning Arms
Reinstall the rain spout and awning arms. To avoid leaks, it’s a good idea to caulk the bolt holes for the awning bracket with RV caulk.
· Re-Installing Roller Tube
Two plastic guides for the fabric and valance are attached to the awning fabric. For the awning to be centred on the roller tube, these plastic pieces might need to be cut. Make sure to leave enough of the plastic guidelines intact if you must cut them in order to fasten the awning fabric. The fabric shouldn’t be hanging loosely from the tube.
You will need space behind your RV to slip the new awning fabric onto the roller tube because you will be pushing the roller tube forward as you do so. Reinstall the spring and apply the awning tube cap after the awning fabric has been attached.
· Winding Up the Awning Spring
The awning spring needs to be wound at this time. To start winding the spring back up, move the awning lever to the “roll-down” position once more. As many times as it was unwound, the spring should be wound back up.
· Attaching Roller to Arms
Reconnect the awning arms to the roller-awning tube. To prevent unravelling your tightly coiled spring, take care not to bump the awning lever when you reattach the awning to the arms.
· Test Out Your New Awning and Secure it in Place
It’s time to roll up the new awning you just put on your RV to make sure it functions properly.
The pin holding the rear spring in place on the RV awning’s end needs to be taken out. It’s time to test out your new awning after you’ve removed that.
The last step, if your new awning rolls up successfully, is to install the set screws on top of the awning to secure the fabric.
