Guided by the principles of founder Søren Odgaard

In the early days of Isabella, Søren Odgaard spent as much time repairing tents as he did sewing them. Customers returned with stories of windstorms, heavy rain, and long days of sun. Some fabrics stretched. Some leaked. Some shrank. But the ones built from dense canvas — woven intentionally, not cheaply — held their shape.

Søren believed something simple that still guides Isabella today:

The material should tell the truth before the product ever does.

Over the next 65+ years, that principle shaped everything from our acrylic textiles to our CarbonX poles and our seam construction. And as Isabella enters the U.S. market, where polyester is standard and disposable gear is common, the question is worth answering clearly:

Why does canvas still matter?

And what makes Isabella’s approach fundamentally different?

Let’s start with the technical truth.

The Science Behind Acrylic Canvas

Built for longevity, heat regulation, and real weather

Unlike polyester, the dominant U.S. tent fabric, acrylic canvas is engineered for performance, stability, and comfort.

Below are real, measurable attributes that define the difference.

1. Weight & Density (GSM)

Most acrylic fabrics used in European awnings fall between:

280–320 GSM (grams per square meter)

This density is crucial for:

• shape retention

• tear strength

• thermal stability

• noise reduction

Polyester awnings typically fall in the 140–180 GSM range — half the density, which is why they flap, stretch, and degrade quickly.

2. UV Resistance (Blue Wool Scale)

Acrylic canvas (solution-dyed) achieves:

7–8 out of 8 on the Blue Wool Scale

= Excellent UV stability

= Long lifespan without brittleness or cracking

Surface-dyed polyester typically rates:

4–5 out of 8

= Noticeable fading within 1–3 seasons

= Accelerated fabric breakdown

This is why polyester awnings often fail at the seams or crack along fold lines.

3. Breathability & Condensation Control

Acrylic canvas fibers are porous. The weave allows controlled airflow.

Effects:

• lower interior humidity

• drastically reduced condensation

• improved sleep climate

• more stable temperature day and night

Polyester, especially coated fabrics, traps moist air.

This is the primary reason RVers wake up to “wet walls.”

4. Tear Strength & Structural Integrity

Acrylic canvas maintains higher tear resistance due to fiber length and weave tension.

Industry ranges:

• Acrylic: ~20–30% higher tear strength under load

• Polyester: prone to elongation and deformation

Isabella pairs acrylic canvas with:

• double-folded roof seams

• PVC corner reinforcements

• anti-wick thread

• longitudinal reinforcement bands

These details directly prevent fabric creep and seam failure.

The Engineering Behind the Frame

Strength is a design choice, not an accident

In the 1970s, Ivan and Peder Odgaard began experimenting with materials inspired by ski pole construction. This led to what are now the CarbonX and Zinox platforms.

CarbonX Composite Poles

A proprietary blend of:

• carbon fiber (for rigidity)

• fiberglass (for controlled flex)

• cross-wound layers for torsion control

• topped with a protective lacquer

Key performance attributes:

• high tensile strength

• minimal weight

• corrosion-proof

• stable under repeated flex cycles

• maintains geometry under wind load

Polyester awning frames are commonly paired with aluminum poles — lighter, cheaper, but prone to bending under torsion.

Zinox Steel (Hot-Galvanized)

• ISO-certified high-strength steel

• Inside + outside galvanization for uniform corrosion protection

• Ultra-stable in high wind scenarios

• Ideal for long-term or seasonal setups

Layer structure:

1. Transparent lacquer

2. Aluminum/zinc coating

3. Structural steel

4. Aluminum/zinc coating

5. Transparent lacquer

This structure significantly delays corrosion penetration.

Zinox MegaFrame

For all-year and permanent installations:

• 32mm diameter steel (vs typical 22–25mm)

• 1.2mm wall thickness

• welded corners

• MegaFix tension locks

This frame is designed to withstand:

• snow load

• seasonal wind cycles

• prolonged UV exposure

• frame fatigue

  
  

In real European use, these frames sit year-round, with stability measured in years, not weekends.

Comparison: Acrylic Canvas vs Polyester

A Scandinavian-direct, factual breakdown

It’s not a matter of “which is better.”

It’s a matter of different philosophies:

• One is made for real weather.

• The other is made for speed and cost savings.

Testing: Where Isabella Gets Its Data

Isabella’s materials are tested through real-world use across more climates than almost any RV accessory brand:

Norway (wind, sleet, snow)

First winter awnings tested under extreme subarctic conditions.

Bahrain (heat, UV, sand)

1960s expedition tents proven under desert temperatures.

Northern Europe (seasonal storms)

Long-term seasonal setups in Denmark, Sweden, Norway.

Alpine regions (snow load)

Zinox and MegaFrame subjected to heavy weight accumulation.

Why This Matters for American RVers

The U.S. covers extreme climatic diversity:

• Southwest UV

• Midwest storms

• Pacific Northwest rain

• Gulf humidity

• Rocky Mountain temperature swings

Most U.S. RV awnings were not designed for this reality. Isabella’s materials were.

What you get:

• cooler interiors

• quieter nights

• less fabric fatigue

• fewer replacements

• safer structures

• a living space you can trust

A campsite should feel like a small, dependable home.

Canvas makes that possible, and acrylic canvas keeps it that way for decades.

Carrying Forward Søren’s Philosophy

Søren’s view was always practical:

Build for weather, and comfort will follow.

We still follow that rule.

• Choose honest materials.

• Avoid shortcuts.

• Prioritize performance over convenience.

• Let durability speak more quietly, and longer, than marketing ever could.

Canvas still matters because weather still matters.

And good materials still matter.

This is the backbone of Isabella’s design, in Denmark, and now in America.