Awning Dos and Don’ts
March 26, 2019
With comfortable weather on the way, many home and business owners in New England are likely to be considering investing in an awning. An awning can provide many benefits and can be a worthwhile investment for years to come. Understanding some of the dos and don’ts when it comes to awning selection, installation, and care can help home and business owners save time and money while extending the life of the awning.
Awning Selection Dos and Don’ts
When selecting an awning, the following tips may help home and business owners:
- DO consider the primary purpose of the awning, whether for shade, marketing, or decoration
- DO consider the location and the weather patterns
- DO decide upon awning graphics and material in advance
- DON’T make a final decision before doing research
- DON’T make a selection without consulting experts
- DON’T go cheap, as costs saved up front may translate to issues down the line
Awning Installation Dos and Don’ts
The biggest DON’T for awning installation is to try a DIY method of installation. Home and business owners may save money on the cost of the awning by installing the awning without the help of professionals, but the headaches and expenditures that are likely to result from the decision may be much steeper. Improperly installed awnings may become damaged earlier, be susceptible to component failure, and even fall and cause injury. These issues may end up causing a lawsuit as well as costing the home or business owner time and money for repairs.
Awning Care Dos and Don’ts
- DO keep shrubbery and vines trimmed back from awnings
- DO clean awnings regularly to remove mildew and dirt
- DO check the condition of awning frames frequently
- DO pull up drip awnings when winds are high
- DON’T spray insect repellant on awnings, as it may cause stains and reduce water resistance
- DON’T continue to use damaged awnings
- DON’T allow water to stand on awnings, as it may cause stretching and water pockets
- DON’T fold or roll awnings when temperatures are extremely cold