4 Useful Considerations for Homeowners When Installing Awnings for the First Time
Awnings can transform outdoor spaces into livable and lovely areas for entertaining family and friends. With an awning, residential homeowners can provide ample outdoor space, shade, and a dining area such as decks and patios that will not be affected by weather. Furthermore, awnings can offer protection to outdoor furniture and window frames against adverse weather elements while providing a picturesque view of the exterior space. Here are some useful considerations when installing awnings in residential homes:
Color and Material -- When choosing the right color for your awning, you should consider how the awning would complement other features in the interior and exterior of the house, including furniture and walls. Choose lighter colors such as sky blue because they reflect heat and sunlight thereby making the space as comfortable as possible even when the sun is scorching. Also, if you want the indoors and outdoors to blend seamlessly, then complementary colors should be your go-to style. Notably, most awnings are made from aluminum or assorted outdoor fabrics. However, before purchasing an awning, you should familiarize yourself with its material. Some materials will give you the flexibility of customizing your space such as the fabrics (canvas) but might need regular maintenance. However, aluminum awnings can offer a longer service life, but they can limit customization options.
Fixed Awning -- A fixed awning has no retractable mechanism, and thus, stays set for the duration of the installation. This shelter is ideal for decks and patios as it not only protects the space against harsh weather elements but also enhances the aesthetics of the outdoor area. There are several styles of fixed awnings such as boxed and wedge for conventional homes and ridged edge for modern homes.
Retractable Awning -- Retractable awnings can be controlled either manually or automatically. The canopy is housed in a case that is mounted on a wall near a veranda or balcony for ease of retraction. Therefore, if you are entertaining guests outdoors, you can retract the awning and create ample space. For the days that you don't need the awning, you can put it back in its casing.
The Angle of Installation -- The orientation of your house will determine the angle of awning installation. Therefore, neglecting the angle of installation can negatively influence the functionality of the awning. For an east-west orientation of windows, you must mount the awning at a 65-75% while a 45-60% drop is recommended for windows oriented towards the north-south direction. The angle prevents the penetration of sun-rays in the space covered by the awning.