Awnings and Canopies
|
Retractable Awnings, Removable Awnings, and ShuttersRollout or folding retractable awnings for homes and businesses have become very popular, so there are many choices on the market. When buying a retractable awning for residential or commercial use, pay careful attention not just to the appearance and style of the awning, but also to the details of the retractable awning frame, hinges, and retraction mechanism. There are reasons people purchase expensive retractable awnings instead of the cheaper options on the market. Often the less expensive awnings are constructed with less durable fabrics, lighter frames, weaker hinges, less weather resistant housings and mechanisms, etc. Ask retractable awning installers about the length of the warranty on all the parts and the installation, who will be responsible for warranty work, and what the most frequently encountered customer problems are. Mounting Retractable AwningsRetractable awnings can be mounted directly to a wall, soffit, or eave, and some can even be mounted up on a roof, if low clearance would otherwise be a problem. Be sure to measure carefully before buying a retractable awning, since many are not returnable. If a professional installer will be building and installing the awning for you, be sure to let him know about any gutter drain pipes or other fixtures on the building which may interfere with the awning installation, and ask what the minimum clearance underneath the awning will be when it is fully extended. Some extendable awnings lock in one position when opened, while others have adjustable pitch and/or adjustable awning projection from the building. Frames for Retractable AwningsRetractable awning frames are sometimes made of powder coated galvanized steel, sometimes from aluminum square tube, sometimes from aluminum alloy round tubing. Some larger awnings have springs that help the awning retraction mechanism along. Those springs can be torsion type or circular type springs, and some even use counterweights. All springs are made of steel, so treatment to prevent corrosion is required, especially in beachfront or other salt air environments. Awning frame parts and end fittings should be made from corrosion resistant material such as stainless steel, or should be treated with epoxy or PVC coatings or painted. Moving parts of retractable awnings may require occasional lubrication to operate smoothly. Awning OptionsWhen you are looking at awnings in a catalogue or online, be sure to check to see whether some equipment shown is optional, or if it is included as standard equipment. Examples would include such things as straight or scalloped valance edge trim, awning mounted lighting, or awning rain gutters. Protecting Your AwningsIt is important that awnings be protected when in the retracted position, both from damaging UV rays from the sun, and from high winds, hail, etc. Some have optional awning covers to serve this purpose, but not all of those covers are rated to take hurricane force winds. Some retractable awnings come with a hurricane rated cowling cover as standard equipment. Some do not come with a standard cover at all, and unless there is some kind of awning cover, the exposed parts of the awning will fade in the sun more quickly than the covered parts within, leading to uneven color display when the awning is extended. Manual or Electrical Awning RetractionRetractable awnings can be either manually extended and retracted by a hand crank mechanism, or can be electrically operated by a motor. Be sure to inquire about the maximum rated wind load of any retractable awning you wish to purchase. If the frame bends due to winds higher than the rating, you will not get warranty coverage. Electrically operated retractable awnings can be outfitted with a wind sensor that will activate the retraction mechanism in high winds, protecting your awning when you are not around to do so. The wind sensor can reduce the risk of wind damage by retracting the awning automatically to protect it during storms. Wind sensors and electric awning retraction motors, like any moving parts on outdoor installations, need protection from the elements and may need replacement. Be sure to ask your awning installer how hard it will be to find replacement wind sensors or electric motors for your awning, and how much labor will be involved should replacement be needed. Retractable or removable awnings and porch and patio canopies give you control over more of your environment, providing more comfortable outdoor seating, lowered cooling costs, more or less light indoors as needed, and an attractive accent to your home or business. Buy a high quality retractable awning and question the manufacturer and/or installation company carefully about proper maintenance of the mechanism, and any common problems or pitfalls to avoid. If you just buy any old retractable awning without researching and learning the products, you may find yourself dealing with more problems down the road. Retractable Awnings For Sale at E-bay |
|
|