Schlappi: ‘Reupholstering a marquis pays off, especially in the fall’

For many consumers, it is a surprising option: reupholstering an existing awning. Yet in practice, it turns out to be a logical choice. The frame of an awning often lasts 20 to 30 years, while the fabric usually needs replacing after ten years or so. A new fabric extends the lifespan, saves costs and fits in with the growing awareness of sustainability.

“The end user often does not need to purchase a completely new system,” says Dennis Schoormans, director of Schlappi. “With a good frame, reupholstering is the most efficient solution. You save money, extend the lifespan and avoid unnecessary waste.”

The moment for reupholstery

Schlappi is focusing specifically on the topic of reupholstering this fall. From October (2025) to February (2026), a campaign is running that allows dealers to target consumers. It is no coincidence that this period was chosen. In autumn and winter the awning is hardly used, so the customer does not have to miss the system in those months. For the dealer, this offers a concrete revenue model in a season when regular sales often drop somewhat.

Says Schoormans, “We find that for many entrepreneurs in the specialty trade, it has become an interesting part of their services. The reason? There are no assembly costs. You take the awning off the hooks and after reupholstering you simply hang the awning back on the hooks. In fact, it's just a very lucrative revenue model. Reupholstering is work that can be organized relatively quickly, with clear added value for the customer so that - when spring arrives again - they will be looking tiptop again.”

Support and action benefit

To add strength to the action, Schlappi is making a communication tool available to specialist dealers. With the flyer ‘Your awning caught my eye,’ dealers can actively respond to situations where the fabric is clearly in need of replacement. The flyer can be distributed door-to-door in their own working area.

During the promotional period, customers 15% receive a discount on striped cloth (calculated as the price of plain cloth). In addition, the frame is checked, cleaned or repainted as standard, and parts such as cords and pulleys are replaced. As a symbolic bonus, customers will receive a durable garland made from cutting scraps from production.

Repair rather than replace

Schlappi's message aligns with a broader trend in the market: repair and refurbish where possible, rather than replace immediately. In this regard, the numbers speak for themselves. With a reupholstery, the customer quickly saves 30% over the cost of a completely new awning. “And the results speak for themselves,” says Schoormans. “After recladding, there is basically just another new awning hanging on the facade.”

New look, familiar system

In addition to the technical and financial benefits, recladding also offers aesthetic scope. Many end users take the opportunity to adjust the color or appearance of their blinds to suit changing preferences or new façade colors. Schlappi's cloth collection responds to this with a wide range of textures, designs and color shades. This makes recycling not only sensible, but also attractive.