Here is what I got back as replies from the manufacturers to my queries about recommendations to cover Strataglass and cast acrylic fixed ports with Sunbrella covers.
First: from Sunbrella:
Thank you for contacting Sunbrella.com. I would say that there are
pluses and minuses with Strataglass and regular clear window vinyl.
The Strataglass is more optically clear and more resistant to chemicals. It is susceptible to scratching. Sunbrella which is made from acrylic fiber is fairly hard and has been known to scratch Strataglass over time, especially when accompanied with sand and a lot of wind whip. Vinyl windows may not give evidence of as much scratching, but has it's own problems with yellowing from chemicals such as common household cleaners. Sunlight will also yellow them over time.
Sorry we cannot provide much more expertise since we only make the fabric.
From the Cast Acrylic manufacturer (he thought I was reporting the new ports were crazing; I was referring to the old ones):
Without know many of the details, I am surprised to hear about the crazing you are experiencing. Cast acrylic is very UV stable, and does not need to be protected against UV exposure. I would suspect that the port holes have come into contact with some sort of chemical that has attacked the acrylic and accelerated the crazing effect. It is possible the heat exposure played a role as well.
From Strataglass:
Rick - i think that covering it is a good idea...especially if u have a fallout problem ( like Brooklin) they must be tight to avoid abrasion in the wind....and i would use a light color to eliminate as much heat as possible...black, navy, green would be a no no
So, it still looks like some room for field opinion and experience. My take-away is that I won’t be in a big hurry to cover my new fixed ports and if I do it will be in a white or light cover. As for my Strataglass clear dodger windows, I will take my Navy blue covers off and perhaps replace them with a white or light cover. What do you think?
First: from Sunbrella:
Thank you for contacting Sunbrella.com. I would say that there are
pluses and minuses with Strataglass and regular clear window vinyl.
The Strataglass is more optically clear and more resistant to chemicals. It is susceptible to scratching. Sunbrella which is made from acrylic fiber is fairly hard and has been known to scratch Strataglass over time, especially when accompanied with sand and a lot of wind whip. Vinyl windows may not give evidence of as much scratching, but has it's own problems with yellowing from chemicals such as common household cleaners. Sunlight will also yellow them over time.
Sorry we cannot provide much more expertise since we only make the fabric.
From the Cast Acrylic manufacturer (he thought I was reporting the new ports were crazing; I was referring to the old ones):
Without know many of the details, I am surprised to hear about the crazing you are experiencing. Cast acrylic is very UV stable, and does not need to be protected against UV exposure. I would suspect that the port holes have come into contact with some sort of chemical that has attacked the acrylic and accelerated the crazing effect. It is possible the heat exposure played a role as well.
From Strataglass:
Rick - i think that covering it is a good idea...especially if u have a fallout problem ( like Brooklin) they must be tight to avoid abrasion in the wind....and i would use a light color to eliminate as much heat as possible...black, navy, green would be a no no
So, it still looks like some room for field opinion and experience. My take-away is that I won’t be in a big hurry to cover my new fixed ports and if I do it will be in a white or light cover. As for my Strataglass clear dodger windows, I will take my Navy blue covers off and perhaps replace them with a white or light cover. What do you think?
