FAQ

Everyone is looking for the ideal fabric for the construction of covers and what we should be concerned about is the breathability of the fabric, its waterproofing, its resistance to time and weather conditions. To maintain a cover for five to ten years, it is important to choose the right material for its construction. We mainly choose PVC as a material for these constructions but each material has different characteristics so we have to choose the one that best suits our needs.

The first distinction is made in the categories water resistant and waterproof. The difference between these two categories is that fabrics with water resistant specifications do not withstand as much water as waterproof ones. So only a 100% waterproof fabric will ensure that water will not penetrate them in contrast to water resistant which after some time of exposure will let all the water to penetrate.

What makes the fabrics waterproof, is the lamination and in general their every processing which does not allow the air to pass through them except the water. This condition of course leads to moisture and mold inside the space where the cover is inserted and often causes damage. Of course there are fabrics that consist of both breathability and waterproofing and thus manage to serve both criteria. So the second separation that must be carried out concerns the perspiration or not of each material.

In the construction of a cover, there are other supporting accessories that play an important role. By placing uprights we incline the fabric and thus prevent the water from stagnating and creating more problems. There are also plastic parts that are sewn on the cover and help us in the best air circulation inside the space without allowing unwanted visitors to enter the space such as rodents, bugs and rain.

Some other factors are the climate and resistance to sunlight, fading and the weight of the fabric. For example, in the northern countries where there is not so much sunshine, they are more concerned with waterproofing the fabric than its perspiration. While in the most Mediterranean countries the opposite prevails. When it comes to color fading, brighter colors fade faster, so it’s a good idea to be careful about which color to choose. Also, darker colors retain more heat, so it is best to avoid them. In addition, the weight of the fabric is something that should concern us if we do not have storage space, as a thinner fabric is easier to collect and takes up less space in storage.

Finally, the behavior of each fabric in relation to time is different. Polyester fabrics are stronger and more abrasion resistant than acrylics for the first five to eight years of life and retain their shape. Acrylics lose their shape as they shrink or overflow, but they can retain their strength throughout their lives, even after ten years, even in warmer climates.

Whatever choice you make, we are here to help you choose the best for you and to serve you in whatever you need.

Any fabric or gelatin that is exposed to the weather needs maintenance to protect it from dust, mold and rapid wear.

Initially we tend  to take into account the specifications of each manufacturer for the product. All materials for outdoor covers have specifications to withstand moisture and conditions, however external contaminants can settle on the fabric and affect it causing wear. It is therefore recommended to keep the fabrics clean from dust and dirt by washing them with simple cleaners and a soft brush or to use cleaners compatible with the specifications of each manufacturer for better results. When there are no instructions for washing in the washing machine, we never install the product ourselves because it causes damage. Mostly only indoor fabrics can be washed in the washing machine and never items such as artificial leather, awnings and covers made of polyester and acrylic fabrics are allowed in the washing machine.

When the stains persist then we can try a more specialized cleaner recommended by a specialist. It is good to avoid random cleaners as we do not know the reaction of the fabric to the composition of the cleaner nor its effectiveness. For example, after using a cleaner, the fabric may discolor, stain or blur a spot on the gelatines that we have just cleaned. Also, before storing a fabric or cover, make sure that it dries very well so that it does not retain any moisture in its fibers. In any case, if moisture and mold appear at some point, it is better to deal with it quickly than to let it do more damage. Even when returning from our boat ride we quickly cover our boat with the cover without letting it dry we create negative conditions for the upholstery of our boat.

Finally, we take care to rinse the salts that may be present in the fabrics as they damage the fabric as well as the whole boat. Many times the salts settle on the seams and cause damage to the thread thus causing demolition. We hope you find the information useful and ask any of our representatives for anything you need.

Searching for the right material to cover the floor in our boat we can fall into various traps. That’s why it’s good to look at the options we have in detail before making a decision. Progress in the production of products for this sector is great and so new products are tested in the demanding conditions of a boat. If we want to upgrade the image of our boat EVA foam, vinyl carpets, artificial and natural materials are some of the options we have. Undoubtedly the new fashion in floor covering for the boat is EVA foam floors, but is it the best choice?

External use

EVA floors are made of foam materials that respond very well to external conditions and humidity, offer soft pressure, allow personalization with patterns on pantographs, visually resemble the classic wooden floors and remain relatively cool under the sun. On the downside it should be considered that the cost of installation is relatively expensive as most of the time it must be done by a professional, the life time is relatively short and depending on the use can be quickly seen wear, its removal is difficult and generally quite vulnerable. Below you can see an example of floor wear after a visit to the engineer.

Synthetic and wood floors are another option that brings more permanent results with longer duration and do not require special maintenance. The cost of installation is an important factor as it must be done by a professional and is the largest compared to other products, also if dirt and grime settle for a long time it is difficult to clean, the choices in designs and colors are limited. Finally it is difficult to remove and when removed it causes damage to the surface of the boat.

Carpets made of synthetic materials such as polyamide and polypropylene are another option and many manufacturers choose them for their boats. Most American open boats have these carpets from the shipyard. moisture, sun and stains with specifications for outdoor conditions. There are reports that their lifespan reaches even 10 years and their deterioration usually begins with the decomposition of the substrate. Their installation is easier and is done with special buttons, with glue or self-adhesive tapes or without inserting anything if they have a non-slip substrate. They can also be easily removed to dry and stored or protected from onboard work. There are many choices in colors and designs and it can be the most economical choice compared to all other products. Depending on the substrate, they can be soft to the touch and remain relatively cool.

Vinyl carpets are in our opinion the best choice for your boat as they have a relatively low cost and are durable with a lifespan of 7-10 years. They are completely waterproof and practically stainless, have a substrate that makes them non-slip and soft to the press, easy to install, done in the same way as synthetic carpets and can be easily removed to protect them from damage. There are many choices in designs and colors and they do not need maintenance.

Internal use

Both synthetic and woolen carpets can be used for the interior of the boat. The woolen carpets have the characteristic that they filter the air and create a more pleasant atmosphere inside the boat, they are of course more expensive and vulnerable than the synthetic ones. Synthetic carpets are cheaper, easier to clean but also aggravating for people with allergies.

In our store you will find a variety of vinyl rugs, synthetic rugs and carpets made of natural materials for both indoor and outdoor use, we are at your disposal to help you choose the best for your boat and your needs.