I am getting ready to do a complete overhaul on my bimini, camper, and enclosures. I am wondering if anyone has any expertise on regular Sunbrella versus Sunbrella Plus. Sunbrella plus has a vinyl backing to it, which is attractive to me as my current Ameritex canvas has it and I like the added protection. However, my canvas guy said that he might be a little cautious about using it, as delamination might be an issue. He is a big fan of regular Sunbrella, and admits that he is not experienced with Sunbrella Plus. Any thoughts would be appreciated--even if not in the Sunbrella product line. THANKS!
Canvas Question
- Thread starter hock90
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We presently have Stamoid, and hoping to replace over winter. Our Bimini is 24x13 and has done well for 8 yrs. I am replacing with sunbrella plus, after checking with a few folks that have used it.
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I have the Sunbrella plus on my canvass and I love it! it does not get moldy or dirty at all and we boat year round in humid Florida. I especially ordered mine that way because it doesn't leak water either and it rains all the time here in the summer months. easy to clean and keeps iy shape better than the old stuff without the backing. I will always have this on any boat bimini!
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It is a great product but I would also agree with the mold build up on the Sunbrella Plus, however it is easier to remove. The drawback is that it is non breathable, and when it starts getting old it may start to leak at the seams due to shinking of the vinyl underneath the fabric. This stretchs the seems and allows water to pass through. It also only come in certain colors.
for a bimini top the sunbrella with the vinyl backing is a superior product to standard sunbrella. it is more durable and does not leak at all which regualar sunbrella will do once the water proofing is worn off. the only place the sunbrella with backing will leak is at a seam that has stretched open to the point that you can see light thru the stiches. this will happen to both products with enough age. its worth the extra cost of the backed product. its also a lighter color on the inside which is helpfull if you are using anything but a very light or white color canvas for a top as it reflects more light and thus makes the space feel larger.
You said any thoughts would be appreciated. Here are my thoughts. I am replacing my Bimini top with a hardtop that fastens to the bimini frame. Although I don't have an enclosure, yours could connect to the hardtop in a similar fashion that it does now to your bimini. My hardtop will be translucent polycarbonate (pcss) for diffused day lighting and led lighting at night. The structural frames will be aluminum the same as the perimeter half pipe and corners.
I have polycarbonate in the aft section of my other boats hardtop and can't wait to put a new top on this boat to get rid of canvas.
I have polycarbonate in the aft section of my other boats hardtop and can't wait to put a new top on this boat to get rid of canvas.
Sunbrella comes in many forms, the 'regular' that you describe is their standard marine product. It is great, and will withstand many years of use and uv degradation. The "Plus" version is coated, not laminated, and therefore your fabricator should not worry with 'delamination'.
The Plus product is typically used for overhead applications as it will not allow any water or water mist through, which is a great benefit for keeping you and/or your electronics dry. The disadvantage for Plus is that it is not breathable, so you don't want to do an entire enclosure with it as mildew problems could result from the reduced airflow. In most applications, Plus is used on the bimini and 'standard' is used for everything else.
Sunbrella also offers a product called "Supreme" - its waterproof like Plus but offers a great finished look for the underside. Somewhat like the headliner in a car. Its not cheap, but its really nice !!
The Plus product is typically used for overhead applications as it will not allow any water or water mist through, which is a great benefit for keeping you and/or your electronics dry. The disadvantage for Plus is that it is not breathable, so you don't want to do an entire enclosure with it as mildew problems could result from the reduced airflow. In most applications, Plus is used on the bimini and 'standard' is used for everything else.
Sunbrella also offers a product called "Supreme" - its waterproof like Plus but offers a great finished look for the underside. Somewhat like the headliner in a car. Its not cheap, but its really nice !!
Seamark is similar to Plus, but the backing is applied by a different company- I think it's the same company that makes Stamoid, but I'm not sure.
When I last had an enclosure made, my canvas guy recommended using Plus for the bimini top, but regular Sunbrella for the side curtains.
When I last had an enclosure made, my canvas guy recommended using Plus for the bimini top, but regular Sunbrella for the side curtains.
Seamark and Sunbrella Plus are similiar products. Seamark is coated by another company (NOT the same company as Stamoid) so the coating is slightly different from the Plus product. Seamark's base fabric is slightly lighter than Plus' and the color offering is a little different. Either product will work well for a bimini application.