The Advantages of Awnings

Outdoor awnings are the perfect marriage between constructing an overhead cover and baking in the sun. They provide instant cooling, comfort and shade, yet do not break the budget like a patio roof would.

Beautiful, practical and effective at cooling both your outside and inside spaces, outdoor awnings are a great solution to uncovered outdoor living spaces and soaring cooling costs.

Places to consider installing awnings

Door and window awnings do a great job at keeping the sunlight out of your home. They are an efficient and effective way of regulating your indoor temperatures and keeping your home comfortable and cool, even on the hottest of days.

Window and door awnings protect your indoor furniture and carpeting from harmful ultraviolet rays, which can fade and damage your furnishings. They can also reduce the indoor air temperature of your home by as much as 15 degrees, which reduces your cooling bills. It may even eliminate the need for you to turn on your air conditioner!

Outside patio or deck awnings can turn a blazing hot outdoor space into a cool and comfortable one. 

Matching your awnings' materials with your home's exterior

Awnings are available in a wide variety of colors and designs to match your home’s exterior, your patio décor or your outdoor décor. Many awnings are now designed to withstand mildew, rot and fading, and they have great warranties to back them up. In fact, expect a high-end awning company to offer warranties for up to 15 years.

Awnings can be constructed of aluminum or fabric. Aluminum awnings don’t require as much maintenance as fabric awnings, but they may not be as stylish as their fabric counterparts. Fabric awnings, on the other hand, offer a wider selection of designs and colors and can be easily retracted or taken down as desired. Most fabric awnings are constructed of canvas because of its strength and durability. They can be stationary or fully automatic retractable, depending on your needs and budget.

Many fabric awnings are able to be retracted when not in use. This is particularly useful for patio and deck awnings, as you might want the warmth of the sun on chilly days, or you may not need it on overcast days.

Considering retractable awnings

Retractable awnings are not designed to withstand heavy rain or snow, so it is important to retract your awnings during inclement weather conditions. Retractable awnings can be retracted through the use of a hand crank or a motorized component. Automatic retractable awnings can be operated with just a touch of a button, or may be operated with a wireless remote control.

In addition, today’s retractable awnings may even come equipped with wind and rain sensors and timers, which keep your awning retracted should the weather turn sour.

Today’s retractable awnings may also be custom made to perfectly match your home or accommodate your design ideas.  Keep in mind that light-colored awnings better reflect the sun’s rays.

When shopping for awnings, remember to ask the salesperson whether the awnings have proper drainage and ventilation features.

Consider awnings if you’d like comfort and protection from the sun’s rays, but do not want the cost and hassle associated with construction.