Awnings and Canopies

Awnings and Canopies For Your Home

Window and door awnings and other residential awnings can greatly enhance the appearance of your home while protecting you and your home from damaging sunlight and rain. There are a wide variety of materials and styles available, from fixed metal or fiberglass awnings to vinyl or acrylic awnings on aluminum, alloy, or steel frames, to retractable awnings and large deck, porch or patio canopy awnings.

Window awnings are the most commonly found awnings on homes, and come in a mind-boggling array of colors, shapes, and materials. How do you choose the right awning for your home? Consider both the practical use of the awning, and how it will enhance the appearance of your home.

Practical Considerations When Planning Your Awnings

Fixed aluminum awnings are the most durable, with products like Alumawood, which has a simulated wood grain finish and will last for many years in the sun and rain. Bahama shutters made of metal or fiberglass are practically indestructible and virtually maintenance free. Fabric awnings on frames will fade and deteriorate in the sun, but some high quality, multi-layered vinyl or acrylic fabrics can last for up to ten years, depending on sun exposure and well the homeowner cleans and cares for the awnings.

Retractable awnings are a great choice for people who live in areas with high winds, which can damage or destroy awnings, or for those who do not want an awning in a certain location at all times. Retractable awnings only let in the sunlight when you want them to, and are safely rolled up and put away during strong wind storms or hurricanes.

For window and door awning options, consider what you want the awning to accomplish. Larger awnings that project far from the building will provide more shade, and will enable you to leave windows and doors open during rain without getting water in the house. A smaller awning that does not project very far out may sometimes look better, but may not do the job you want an awning to do. Sunlight entering your home will fade carpets and furniture over time, and an awning which extends out from exposed windows and doors can block the sunlight, preserving the interior of your home and lowering cooling costs.

Awnings made of canvas or vinyl are generally less expensive than solution dyed multilayer heavy duty acrylic awnings, and will not last as long. If you already have an awning, but the fabric is deteriorating, you might want to consider a lace-on replacement cover. Lace-on re-covers of an existing awning frame are less expensive than replacing the whole awning.

These stylish green window awnings are designed to complement the small overhang above the windows.

Specialty Awnings for Homes With Low Roof Eaves and Overhangs

Some homes do not have room for a traditional style awning due to low roof eaves and overhangs, but there are specialty awnings made just for those situations. Awnings for low eaves and overhangs have different mounting hardware and a different projection angle from the roof to allow them to hang beneath low roof eaves, gutters, or other interfering structures.

Mesh Awnings and Partial Shade Awnings

Sometimes you do not want to block all of the sunlight, or maybe you want some shade, but don't wish to block the rain. A greenhouse lattice cover would be a possible option, but there are also solarium awnings, partial shade awnings, and even clear polycarbonate awnings that let in light, but block some or all of the sun's damaging UV radiation.

Pool and patio shade awnings can have sections made from Textilene, a sunlight-resistant coarse mesh fabric which blocks a great deal of light, but allows airflow. Retractable pool and patio awnings provide excellent flexibility, allowing a warm, sunny pool or patio deck in the cooler months, but providing needed shade and protection from rain in warm weather.

Clear fiberglass greenhouse type panels or clear polycarbonate panels can make a great awning, letting in some light while blocking out UV rays and rain.

Planning Your Awning Appearance and Style

Fabric covered awnings are often more attractive and colorful, with valance edges in various styles and spear awning supports or concave or convex metal frames. Some awning companies have adopted 3D computer model planning, or use sketches and overlays, to show you how different awning shapes and colors might look on your home, and how the awning and valance color will complement the color scheme of your home and trim. Little changes can make a big difference in the appearance of your home and the awning you buy.

Maintaining Your Awning

To prolong the life of awning fabric, it should be kept clean and occasionally treated with waterproof fabric or vinyl protectant products such as 303.