What Type of Awning Best Suits Your Needs?
January 1, 2019
Installing an awning brings with it a number of important benefits to residential and commercial buildings alike, including better curb appeal, a lowered energy bill, and creation of a sun/wind/rain shelter. But the fact is there are numerous, almost endless, varieties of awnings on the market today. You can even have your own special design custom-built, as well, if you like.
It’s true that acrylic is a superior material choice, in many contexts, but even here, you might opt for a different industrial fabric or wish to go with vinyl or aluminum. Adding bright, durable colors is great for commercial use, and you can add your businesses specific color scheme and logo. But beyond your own hyper-specific custom design, what are the main types of awnings? And what does each one have to offer?
Stationery or Retractable?
Probably, the first decision to be made is whether you want a fixed-frame or a retractable model of awning. If you are covering a patio, deck, or pool-side area, a retractable awning can be a great way to prevent inclement weather from cutting short your parties or family outdoor time, and yet, allowing full sun when it’s “beautiful” out.
Windows, doors, and entry areas generally take stationery awnings, on the other hand. But even this is not a hard and fast rule.
Outdoor or Indoor Awnings?
While you might suppose that all awnings are on the exterior, in reality, there is such a thing as indoor commercial awnings. These will be prevalent inside of malls and shopping centers, and occasionally may even be found inside of the actual store. Indoor awnings are entirely for decorative and advertising purposes. Outdoor awnings do that and more and are by far the most common.
Attached or Freestanding?
While most awnings are directly attached to your building, there is also a use for awnings that are freestanding, usually near but not touching the building. A smoking shelter at a restaurant, a bicycle or motorcycle parking zone, a picnicking spot, or an all-weather “sales booth” are all possible uses of a freestanding awning.
Which Shape and Style of Awning?
Most awnings will be attached, outdoor, and stationery. But within this broad scope, there are many particular styles and shapes. First, you have window awnings or small over-door awnings in the following shapes (and many more):
- Concave
- Convex
- Domed
- Elongated Dome
- Triangular Slope
The dimensions, of course, can vary to fit the opening you want to cover. And there are many customized shapes as well.
Second, there are entrance area awnings that attach to the building but project from the building and are held up by support poles. These can be a variety of shapes – curved top, A-frame etc. and can include covered sides with roll-up or more permanent panels. The point is to provide a convenient, “weatherized” entry point from curb to door for customers/guests. Some entryway awnings are very long, covering whole walkways; others barely cover the front step.
Which Awning Company Should I Choose?
Installing an awning can be a difficult task for the inexperienced, and you want a sturdy, durable, high quality installation job. Use a professional awning company with many decades of experience, like Dorchester Awning, and you can have a professional team design, build, and install your new awning. Dorchester Awning will even design, fabricate and ship awnings around the country.
Dorchester uses the highest-quality materials in constructing your awning, and our experienced crew will work quickly and carefully to give you a quality look you will be proud of. If you have any questions about selecting or installing an awning on your home/business property, do not hesitate to contact Dorchester Awning today for immediate assistance.
