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Whether you’re enjoying a hot tub in the snow or watching the rain, installing an awning for your windows and doors gives you the opportunity to enjoy activities outdoors, regardless of the weather. With this summer guide to awnings, you won’t be left in the dark about features to look for and factors to consider.
Why Do You Need Awnings?
Combating the elements year round, awnings effectively block sunlight and prevent a significant amount of UV rays and reduce heat inside homes by nearly 77%. Awnings also reduce window glare by up to 97%, which reduces the temperature inside your home by 8 to 15 degrees, cutting air conditioning costs by 25%.
Make It Your Business
For business owners, installing a retractable awning will expand your seating capacity in places like a restaurant patio or hotel entryways. It allows for hassle free open seating with no clunky umbrellas, which take up prime space. In addition, applying graphics directly to awning fabrics provides identification and advertisement without the need for “add-on” sign structures.
Tech Advancements
Tech advancements feature awning models with weather sensors, which automatically adjust the awning based on severe heat or damaging wind. Most popular awnings today are retractable and motorized. Awnings now retract or extend in minutes either automatically by a panel switch or with a remote control. Retractable awnings require little to no maintenance because they are stored compact and out of reach from harsh elements.
Choosing the Right Awning
There are three types of awnings:
- Stationary: Stationary options are good for areas that are sunny and warm year round
- Retractable: Retractable awnings have a variety of different motors and control sensors.
- Freestanding: Freestanding awnings are less expensive and usually used as a quick fix by businesses.
One can add a side panel feature to any option to add an architectural flair, as well as more shade coverage in a different direction.
Awnings are typically made from outdoor fabric or aluminum. While each has its benefits, these materials will be ideal depending on your preference. For example, outdoor fabrics are fairly durable, and come in bright and wide variety of colors and shapes. Though the fabric option is easy to clean, strong and flame-retardant, fabric awnings that are not retractable, can tear due to strong elements. Aluminum awnings are extremely sturdy with modern frame materials with high strength-to-weight ratios and corrosion resistance, making the aluminum option safe, strong, and economical. Aluminum awnings today resemble an extension of your roof and can be installed with different attachments or accessories like ceiling fans or skylights.
Installing Your Awning
When installing awnings, the angle should be angled 65-75 degrees for windows facing east or west. However, for windows facing south, awnings will only need to be angled 45-60 degrees, as the sun has a higher angle from this direction. North windows are known to be the biggest energy losers, and may benefit from a mechanical awning that can be adjusted throughout the day. Upon installation keep in mind that awnings need approximately six inches of open, lengthwise wall or roof space to be properly fixed.
The size of each awning depends on how much shade you want over your porch, deck, or pool area and how much sunlight to allow shining in. Bigger awnings offer more protective from the elements and sun.
Style and of awnings come in a wide variety including traditional awnings with either closed or open sides, and varieties like the dome style, the double bar standard, the waterfall, the quarter barrel, the gable walkway and the semi-circular entrance. Color of an awning goes beyond aesthetic, it is also about which color will best block sunlight, which are your light-colored options.