Frequently Asked Questions About Awnings

Regular maintenance generally means a once-a-year cleaning, with additional care if stains or soilage appears. Also, remember that your awning is an exterior product. In the same way you wouldn’t leave your automobile outside without washing it for very long, you’ll also need to clean your canvas awning to preserve and extend its good looks and service life. Click here for cleaning instructions.

Good question. Of course, the darker the color chosen, the darker the shade effect underneath will be. There are exceptions, however. Certain fabrics have a lighter-colored underneath side than the top-side color, which gives a more pleasing shading effect. As for the temperature, while color choice has some slight impact, the type of fabric chosen and the overall ventilation of the installation will have a greater effect.

Generally speaking, awning fabrics are water-repellent, not waterproof. There are exceptions, though, which may be practical in certain environments. The fabrics’ water-repellent characteristics allow you to fully enjoy the space shaded by the awning during any weather conditions that aren’t severe. In other words, if the weather is nice enough for you to be outside, then it is good enough for you to be out underneath your awning.

Metal support frames are made from either galvanized steel or aluminum and will last a lifetime! Regular maintenance on a frame requires an annual inspection of fasteners, connections and metal condition. Frames are also available with a painted finish for additional protection and attractiveness.

Ask for references of other similar work provided by the firm or company you are considering, along with a photographic portfolio of work the firm has done. Of course, if the firm has a showroom, pay a visit! Would you buy a car while sitting on your living room sofa? Probably not. This is a purchase you will live with for quite some time. Make sure you have explored the many options available. This is easily done while looking at all of the displays in the showroom. We have never had a customer leave without being extremely pleased with being able to participate in the design process.

As with any custom-manufactured product, there is a short lead time for quality work to be accomplished. For canvas awnings, this can mean as little as three weeks. Of course, this varies depending on the time of the year (summer typically is the busiest part of the year), and it is not unusual for this lead time to run longer, especially in seasonal climates.

By design, the awning is self-storing when retracted. Many owners of retractable awnings remove the loose hanging valance for winter storage, while others do nothing more than keep the unit retracted and bring the crank handle in. And some owners use their retractable awnings all year long!

Retractable awnings primarily are for sun protection and should not be left out in windy conditions. However, wind is a very unpredictable force, with a tendency to change direction and speed very quickly. In a wind-tunnel test, which is a very controlled environment, a retractable awning withstood straight-on wind forces at over 50 m.p.h. In “real-life” applications, the general rule of thumb is: If you are comfortable sitting outdoors dining or reading the paper, then it is probably safe to operate your awning. The concern with wind is the up-lifting effect on the awning rather than the downward force; therefore the greater the pitch, the more wind-resistant the unit is.

Nothing could be more convenient than simply flipping a switch and watching your awning roll out on its own. Once fully extended or retracted, the unit will stop automatically. You may also stop the retractable in any position with the wall-mounted switch. Research has shown that a motorized awning is used four times as much as a manual unit. Don’t believe it? Consider how few times you would change the TV channel if you didn’t have a remote control.

Retractable awnings primarily are designed to provide protection from the sun’s rays and not from rain. However, it can be used in drizzle or misting rains with proper unit pitch. In heavy or driving rains, the unit must be retracted to keep water from “pooling” on the fabric and causing damage or irreversible fabric stretching.

Because most retractable awnings are customized for each residence, prices cannot be given without verified measurements and on-site inspection. Your awning supplier typically can meet with you for a free, in-home consultation to design an awning that’s right for you.

Generally, however, today’s awning fabrics are considered water-repellent, not waterproof. Water-repellent awning and patio canopies will allow you to enjoy your deck or patio during most weather conditions that it is safe to be outside.