How much does folding-arm awning fabric cost?

Why is there such a difference between one awning fabric and another? How do you know if you are getting your folding-arm awning fabric at the right price?

Find the right quality-price ratio for your folding-arm awning fabric

So, you are having doubts about whether or not to replace your awning fabric for a number of reasons:

You only use your folding-arm awning occasionally
The motor is old, and you want to use it for a few more years before changing the whole awning
You are renting or this is your second home…

You will not struggle to find a host of affordable awning fabric options. But for each fabric, its usage and quality will be closely linked to the way it was made.

Choosing your awning fabric based on its characteristics

The material used to make the awning fabric

Cotton: though cotton is pleasant to the touch, it is also fragile and tears easily. What is more, its colour fades over time, and the fabric gets heavy when it rains and dries slowly, which generates mould.
Polyester: the fibres are too sensitive to UV and the colours fade quickly.
Polypropylene: the colours fade quickly under the sun’s UV rays and the finish is plastic-like, which is not very attractive. This fabric also creates a greenhouse effect when the sun is strong.
Solution-dyed acrylic: the best material for awning fabrics. The pigments permeate the fibre so that the colour stays stable for years. Excellent protection against UV, heat and glare.

Weight of the fabric (expressed as g/m²)

Low-cost awning fabrics: these are all the awning fabrics that weigh less than 220 g/m². As they are less dense, they are more fragile and can tear easily in bad weather. On top of that, they offer little solar protection.
Mid-range awning fabrics: these are fabrics with a tighter weave, weighing between 250 and 290 g/m². Suitable for regular use, they are resistant to bad weather and offer good solar protection.
Premium fabrics: for intensive use and maximum protection. Fabric weighing 300 g/m² or more. The solution-dyed 100% acrylic fabrics with coating on one side are great for permanent installations and excellent for professional needs.

As with all fabrics, you need to pay attention to the quality of the finishes, especially the seams.

The characteristics of the fabric and its comfort rating

Light resistance, fade resistance under UV rays. Only solution-dyed acrylic guarantees excellent colour longevity and the best comfort rating.
Waterproofing treatment
Anti-dirt treatment: this treatment will help your awning fabric to last for longer, make it easier to clean and allow you to maintain it less often.
Anti-fungal, anti-mould treatment
Resistance to tears and breakage
Warranty guaranteed by the fabric manufacturer

The advantages of choosing Dickson folding-arm awning fabric

Spark awning fabric

Solution-dyed, fire-resistant, 100% polyester fabric — 335 g/m² — 5-year warranty
Waterproof, anti-stain fabric
Bs1d0, M1, B1 and C1 certifications for public-access buildings

Orchestra Max awning fabric

Solution-dyed 100% acrylic fabric — 320 g/m² — 10-year warranty
Waterproof, UV-resistant coating on one side
Ultra-waterproof treatment

Opera awning fabric

Solution-dyed 100% acrylic fabric with jacquard motif — 330 g/m² — 10-year warranty
Special anti-dirt and waterproofing treatment
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification (CQ 638/8 IFTH)

Infinity awning fabric

Solution-dyed 100% acrylic fabric — 290 g/m² — 10-year warranty
Large width (165 – 200 – 250 – 320 cm)
Dickson Resilient System®: reinforced dimensional stability
Special anti-dirt and waterproofing treatment
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification (CQ 638/8 IFTH)

Orchestra awning fabric: the biggest range on the market, with 173 different fabrics, 113 of which are solid colours.

Sunacryl solution-dyed 100% acrylic fabric — 290 g/m² — 10-year warranty
CLEANGARD® finish: resistant to water and dirt
Blocks out up to 100% of UV rays, reduces glare and heat by up to 95% and gets rid of the ‘greenhouse effect'
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification (CQ 638/8 IFTH)

Invest in the long term with a quality folding-arm awning fabric

So, many criteria have an impact on the price of a folding-arm awning fabric, not just its size! And remember that your folding-arm awning should shelter you from the rain, too, and not just the sun and heat. On top of that, a folding-arm awning fabric must be strong enough to stand strong winds and bad weather, and of good enough quality not to fade in the sun.

The right awning fabric is a great investment: as well as keeping you in the shade and protecting you from harmful UV rays, it will save you money. That's right! As well as providing shade on your terrace, your folding-arm awning also protects your interior: it lowers the temperature inside in the summer and preserves your décor, as your furniture, wallpaper, curtains and rugs will fade much less.

Your health and your skin are protected, too, as a good-quality awning fabric filters out between 85% and 100% UV rays, depending on the material and colour.

All in all, you can enjoy all the outdoors has to offer without its disadvantages. Now you can make the most of family lunches on the terrace, naps in the shade, long summer evenings putting the world to rights and even outdoor remote working!

Now you know that the price of a folding-arm awning fabric is inextricably linked with its quality. To find folding-arm awning fabric that offers the best value for money for you, consult your local awning manufacturer. They will be able to tell you about the fabric's technical specifications, which will indicate how long it should last.

You can also ask a professional for quotes for providing just the fabric and for installing it on your awning, which will provide you with an installation guarantee as well as a warranty on the fabric.