The timeline for getting your canvas items depends on several factors. Simple projects and repairs may only require a few days. More complex and larger projects, such as the creation of custom boat covers, can take weeks or longer. 

In busy seasons, it isn't uncommon for canvas shops to be booked for months in advance. Material availability, location of the boat, the complexity of the job, other work being done on the boat at the same time, and the weather all factor into the equation as well. Lakeside Marine Canvas will work out a schedule with you that meets your needs and will work late and long to meet that schedule. Remember, your canvas product is hand-made to your specifications from raw materials, and is a one-of-a-kind item. It will be worth waiting for!

Sunbrella now has a 10-year warranty and WeatherMax 80 has a five-year limited warranty. If you keep the fabric clean, replace worn or broken fasteners and stitching as needed, and avoid excessive abrasive action, such as allowing loose canvas to flap in the wind, you will get maximum life out of your bimini top. The stitching usually goes first, because it is exposed to abrasion, constant tension, flexing, pollution, UV rays, water, cleaning agents, and being snagged with sharp items. You should check the stitching periodically by rubbing it with your fingernail in a high-wear area. If the stitching starts to fall apart, have the item restitched promptly. 

Once seams begin to loosen, the fabric will lose its shape and become difficult and expensive to salvage. One option to extend the lifespan of the thread is to use a Teflon (PTFE) thread like SolarFix. Proper tension and fit are also important because baggy, loose, or torn tops that flap in the wind wear out much faster. Mold, moss, and mildew from poor ventilation can also do significant damage in a short time. For more information on getting the most out of your new fabric canvas, contact Lakeside Marine Canvas today!

Regardless of material quality and craftsmanship, the thread is usually the weakest link in the durability of a bimini top or other canvas product. At some point, the stitching will need to be redone. The goal is to hold this off as long as possible.

The best conventional solution to this is to use high-tech PTFE threads (PTFE is commonly known by the DuPont brand name Teflon®) like SolarFix. This thread is guaranteed to last the life of the fabric in which it's used. Compared to the best bonded UVR 138 poly threads, PTFE thread is more expensive, doesn’t come in as many colors, can be tricky to sew with, and is not quite as strong as heavy-duty 138 poly thread when both are new. However, after a few years, the poly thread loses much of its strength while the PTFE thread will stay as strong as it was when it was first used. It’s a wise investment that will pay for itself several times over.

For additional information on how to avoid re-stitching, contact Lakeside Marine Canvas. Our team of experts will help you understand how to get the most life out of your canvas products!

Prices vary between canvas shops because there are differences in regional costs of doing business, shop overhead, and shop efficiency. Reputable shops also have the additional costs of insurance and the proper business licenses to operate legally. The quality of materials quoted for the job can vary as well. 

For instance, good window vinyl is much more expensive than cheap vinyl and is a big part of the overall cost of a job with windows. Cutting corners on vinyl quality can save hundreds of dollars on the estimate. The customer may not know the difference at first but it shows up soon enough! 

There are many ways to cut corners on fabrication and most of them give an inferior result. Stick with name brands that have stood the test of time. It also pays to do business with a shop that will be in business next year when you need a little repair work or that new canvas item. A reputable shop, such as Lakeside Marine Canvas, will guide you to the best overall solution for your specific needs, not necessarily the cheapest or the most expensive.

Additionally, good canvas work is very labor-intensive. Patterning and measuring can be quite tricky. Any experienced canvas shop will tell you that no boat is made plumb, level, and square, which is why new measurements and patterns need to be done for each job. It’s the difference between an “off the rack” fit vs a custom-tailored suit. To learn more about the costs of our houseboat enclosures and other canvas items, contact us today!

Yes, a pre-made cover and bimini top are available at marine stores, by mail-order, and by internet vendors. Some of these may be acceptable if your boat is a common make and model, you've made no changes and added no equipment, don’t need to match existing canvas, don’t have any specific requirements, and are on a strict budget. However, these products are generally mass-produced with inferior fabrics, hardware, and construction, and are not really built to last. Knock-off copies of brand names like Sunbrella and LenZip Zippers are common. They are also generic in fit, even by specific model and year, so they often don’t look right despite your best efforts. 

Lakeside Marine Canvas sees many of these knock-off products fail within a year and they aren’t worth repairing. The best pre-made covers and tops can approach the cost of a locally-made custom job. If the budget is a concern, discuss it with your local canvas shop. They may well be able to work with you to make the custom job surprisingly affordable!

While Lakeside Marine Canvas can copy your old canvas piece, it probably won't fit properly. New materials have different characteristics than old materials. The old material has had years of stretching and weathering. The surest way to get a proper fit with your new custom boat covers is to make a new pattern using the actual boat. The exception to this might be hatch covers, sail covers, or other items that are non-tensioned.

The best way to get a proper fit for a custom canvas soft enclosure is to build from the top down, not the sides up. Think of it as if you were building a house: You have to have a foundation to build upon. It's better to keep the old top repaired until the top and sides can be done at the same time. For more information on custom houseboat enclosures, contact Lakeside Marine Canvas today!

Choosing the right fabric for your canvas will depend on a variety of factors. One of the first things you should consider for custom boat covers is your budget. According to Discover Boating, an online resource dedicated to providing readers with information regarding the benefits of boating, boating activities, and how to choose a boat that's right for them, the average boat owner pays between $700 and $1,200 for a custom boat cover. At Lakeside Marine Canvas, our experts can help you understand what fabric is right for your boat's needs. Call us today to learn more!