 |
Awnings and Canopies
|
|
Awning Construction and Materials
This fixed awning over a home's front door provides a welcoming appearance, but doesn't project out very far, so it offers little shade and rain protection for those entering the home. Commercial door and window awnings and residential awnings and pool, porch, or patio canopy covers come in a wide variety of materials and construction designs. Some hang from the building on brackets while others use awning frame poles. Still others have retractable frames so that the awning can be easily stored when it is not needed, or when weather conditions such as hurricanes, hail, or heavy snow loads could damage the awning or canopy fabric covering. Some business zoning or construction codes may require that awnings over large seating areas or other commercial awnings be made from fire resistant or flame retardant material. These fabrics are woven from fire resistant acrylic fibers and have pigments and waterproofing which are also fire resistant. A common one in the past was Sunbrella Firesist fabric, but Sunbrella discontinued that product in 2006. Soon after they quit making Sunbrella Firesist, Sunbrella came out with a new product, Sunbrella Firesist® HUV. The new Sunbrella Firesist® HUV fabric has fire resistant/flame retardant fibers, and is colored with a highly UV resistant pigmentation for long lasting color. Glen Raven Products, makers of the Sunbrella fabrics, claim that the new fabric is stronger than the old Sunbrella Firesist fabric, and has added dimensional stability to prevent sagging when used in large, commercial applications. Retractable AwningsFixed awnings can have a few frame and hardware issues, but retractable door and window awnings, some of them featuring hurricane rated exterior cowlings, are inherently more problematic due all the moving parts. Retractable awnings have some significant benefits over fixed awnings, but you should be aware of the potential problems and issues before purchasing retractable awnings. In windy beachfront environments, the salt spray in the air and the constant buffeting by strong winds can cause corrosion and abrasion, so materials like Kevlar or stainless steel are used for awning retracting mechanisms instead of ordinary galvanized steel cable. Hinges and other hardware should also be stainless, and aluminum or aluminum alloy, preferably with a protective PVC plastic coating or powdercoating finish, to reduce the effects of corrosion. If the retractable awning is motorized, the motor should be of high quality and should be sealed away from the salt spray. Ask about the length of the warranty on the awning's retracting motor, as well as on wind sensors. High wind sensors are used on some retractable awnings, so that if the wind exceeds the set limit, the awning will automatically retract to protect it from damaging high winds. A retractable awning provides great flexibility, but some lack the projection required to create a meaningful amount of shade and protection from UV sunlight and rain. Sometimes, the retraction/extension mechanism and the awning frame do not properly tension the fabric, so the awning cover will hold puddles of rainwater, which stretches the awning fabric and puts extra strain on seams and frames. An extendable awning that is cheaply constructed using inexpensive, inferior materials will look nice in a showroom, but won't hold up in the wind and rain and often cannot be extended in much wind at all. A well constructed retractable awning can have significant projection away from the building without using support poles. Large ones can extend 20 feet or more. Fixed AwningsIf there is no need for a retractable awning, you can use fixed awnings made from aluminum, rotomolded plastic, corrugated clear fiberglass panels, shatterproof polycarbonate or Lexan clear panels. Long, thin panels of corrugated material can be very strong, but there are also thicker flat awning cover panels, some strong enough that a person can walk on the awning surface. Metal awnings can handle a heavy snow or wind load, but are harder to paint or refinish and can be more difficult to clean without causing corrosion or damage. Compare the different awning cover materials which are available, and consider what you will need year-round before deciding on an awning or canopy purchase. Weather-Resistant Awning Fabrics and ThreadsWeather resistant waterproof acrylic fabrics such as Sunbrella, Dickson, Sunsetter, Gottschalk, and others carry a 5 year warranty on the awning fabric. That is better than the two year warranties often found on other awning or canopy fabrics made of canvas or vinyl polyester material, and it is also longer than the expected lifespan of some thread used to sew the seams by certain awning manufacturers. Polyester thread such as SunGuard, Star Ultra or Dabond 2000 UVR or UV resistant monofilament thread such as Isoray® used on awnings are treated with UV sunlight resistant protectants, and some carry a long warranty, but Tenera thread by Goretex is widely regarded as the best outdoor heavy duty thread material for making long-lasting awnings or canopies. It is made of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) polymer, and resists degradation from exposure to UV light, will not absorb water, is unaffected by most chemicals and cleaners, retains strength even when exposed to extreme heat or cold, and is non-flammable. Multi-Layered Awning FabricsAwning and canopy fabric are constructed of multiple layers of different materials. Solution dyed acrylic or vinyl pigmentation layers treated for UV resistance are layered onto other fabrics such as Dacron for strength and flexibility. Retractable awnings need to roll or fold repeatedly without damaging the awning fabric, while fixed awnings need to stand up to any and all weather conditions day in and day out. The type and thickness of awning fabric material and the number of layers used will determine the ultimate lifespan of the awning or canopy fabric. Abrasion, use of inferior thread or stitching, or other factors may prevent the fabric from reaching its expected lifespan. Look for double rows of stitching using high quality UV resistant thread such as Goretex Tenera thread on acrylic or other sewn awning fabric seams. Vinyl awning fabrics are welded together using heat. On these, you should look for large seam overhangs with even seam welds and no bubbles or wrinkles in the seam. Awning Warranty ConsiderationsPay careful attention to what the warranty covers for any awning or canopy. In some cases, the fabric material may carry a longer warranty than other important parts, such as thread used for seams, heat bonded seams, aluminum or steel frames and component hardware, etc. With fiberglass, aluminum, or other rigid awning covers, the long life of the covering material may be touted, but what good is long fabric or rigid covering life if the frame parts may rust or corrode or crack, or if the attachment and construction of your awning does not carry a similar warranty? Fabrics for Making or Repairing Your Own AwningsSunbrella brand fabric is widely considered one of the best fabrics for awnings, boat canvas, and other outdoor uses. Sunbrella awning fabrics are not only attractive, but they are designed to be resistant to the elements, which means you'll enjoy your awning for many years to come. Sunbrella awning fabrics are available in a variety of colors and patters, from simple solids to colorful stripes and textures.  Sunbrella Awning Fabric For Sale At E-bay Now
Other Acrylic Awning Fabrics For Sale At E-bay Now
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Feedback: 5,460.0 / 99.5% Top-Rated Seller 
Feedback: 70,967.0 / 99.5% Top-Rated Seller 
Feedback: 473.0 / 100%
Feedback: 1,086.0 / 99.7%
Feedback: 848.0 / 100% Top-Rated Seller 
|
|