When you order a cover, awning, blind or canopy, the first decision is the fabric. Most custom outdoor work is made in either canvas or PVC. Both are tough, but they behave differently in sun, rain and storage, and the right choice depends on what the item has to do.
Canvas at a glance
Canvas is a heavy, tightly woven fabric, traditionally cotton. Polyester ripstop canvas has thicker threads woven in a grid, so a small nick does not run into a long tear. Its main strengths:
- It breathes. Air and moisture vapour pass through, so there is less condensation and sweating under a canvas cover or tent.
- It is naturally water-resistant.
- It looks and feels natural, which suits game viewer canopies, awnings, tents and bags.
- It is quiet and does not flap or crackle as much in the wind.
The trade-offs: canvas is heavier, can mould if it is packed away damp, and needs to be re-proofed now and then to stay water-resistant.
PVC at a glance
PVC fabric is a woven polyester base coated with PVC (vinyl). Its main strengths:
- It is fully waterproof, so rain does not soak through at all.
- It wipes clean and does not absorb dirt, oil or spills.
- It resists mould, because the coating does not hold moisture.
- It comes in many colours, and clear PVC can be used for windows in blinds and side curtains.
The trade-offs: PVC does not breathe, so condensation can form underneath it, and it can stiffen in the cold and soften in strong heat.
Which fabric for which job?
| Item | Good choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Patio and stoep blinds | Canvas, with clear PVC windows | Shade and airflow, with a view through the windows |
| Awnings | Canvas | Breathes and keeps a natural look on a house or shopfront |
| Game viewer canopies | Canvas or PVC | Canvas for a natural, quiet finish; PVC where full waterproofing matters most |
| Braai and outdoor furniture covers | PVC or treated canvas | Keeps rain off and is easy to clean |
| Bakkie mattress covers | PVC | Waterproof and wipes clean |
| Tarps and load covers | PVC | Fully waterproof and hard-wearing |
| Bags | Canvas or PVC | Canvas for a classic look; PVC for wet or dirty use |
Looking after canvas and PVC
- Let canvas dry completely before you fold or store it.
- Brush off dry dirt, then wash with mild soap and water. Avoid harsh detergents and bleach, which strip waterproofing and weaken the fibres.
- Wipe PVC with soapy water and rinse; do not use solvents.
- Check stitching and fittings once a season, and fix small tears before they grow.
Custom canvas and PVC work in Pretoria
We make canvas blinds, awnings, game viewer seats and canopies, outdoor furniture covers, braai covers, mattress covers, and canvas and PVC bags, all to your measurements. Awnings and blinds are made in our Pretoria workshop for you or your installer to fit; we do not install them. If you are making your own, we sell cotton and polyester ripstop canvas in 300gsm, 420gsm and 510gsm by the metre or in 50m rolls, in 15 colours. See canvas awnings and blinds and canvas material for sale. See our custom canvas services or the game viewer seats and tent webbing page.
Request a quotation, call 012 327 0061, or visit us at 271 Charlotte Maxeke Street, Pretoria West.
Need straps for your cover or canopy? Read which webbing material to choose.