Biggest Natural Threats to Your Awning

January 1, 2019

Awnings are an important part of a business front in terms of style, promotion and protecting your business from the elements. Although providing these services in all seasons is no easy feat for a piece of material. Time can take away from its charm and repairing a cheap awning over and over again can become an unwanted expense. Choosing high quality fabrics and other materials is essential when choosing an awning that will last.

Sun Damage

Sun can be a deadly enemy to your awning. While it might provide you with some needed shade, awnings will take the brunt of the sun day after day. Given the fabric and type of your awning, the heat could lead to it melting into other materials and causing problems with the mechanism. Worse, over time, your major storefront promotion could fade in the sun and loose its fresh and new luster. An old faded awning gives the customer the immediate impression that your business does not take itself seriously. Take your time when considering what type of materials you’ll use. Paying for higher quality materials could save you some serious money later down the line.

Raining on Your Parade

New England is home to a healthy amount of rain in the warmer months. Awnings don’t just hide you from the sun, they are our personal permanent umbrellas. A badly constructed awning could capture the rain instead of letting it slide off, putting stress on the frame and causing it to warp, malfunction or break. Your awning should provide you with refuge from the rain, not causing it to all fall down on your heads during a storm.

Snow and Your Awning

As much as we hate to admit it, snow is a part of regular daily life. From our early morning commute, to our meeting with friends after, snow is something we need to deal with for most of the cold seasons. A heavy snowfall can cause snow to build up on top of your awning and push down on the frame. A badly constructed awning might not last a winter unless it’s done in by a skilled professional.

The Dangers of Mold

One of the slowest and deadliest enemies of your awning is mold. Taking on the elements day after day can leave your awning wet and warm. This is bad news for you, but great news for mold. Awnings made of specific materials can quickly turn into brown or green disasters. Getting professional consultation and installation can stave off this problem. And remember, if you see mold on your awnings, call quickly for a cleaning rather than waiting for the problem to spread.