There are benefits and drawbacks to both. Acrylic awnings are great for the summer because they "breathe" and won't hold in that heat. They also hold color better than vinyl awnings. However, acrylic awnings can not be repaired if they are torn. Vinyl awnings don't breathe so they are better if you know that you will be somewhere where it could rain frequently. They also have a tendency to attract mildew more than acrylic awnings.