When you think about upgrading your outdoor areas, it might be fair to say that awnings don’t feature as an important factor – unless you spend a lot of your leisure time outside the four walls of your home. With homes becoming more compact – to put it nicely – homeowners are using their outdoor spaces more frequently to entertain and expand their physical home environments. Gardens are expanded or fenced off for privacy and boundary-setting reasons, built-in furniture or new patio sets, built-in braais and fire-pits are introduced, boundary and decorative walls become more ornate, outside lighting is installed and easy-maintenance gardens are created to provide more leisure and less work time in the space. So, let’s be honest – awnings don’t always get the credit they deserve. All of these are great enhancements to your outdoor space, but what do you do when it’s either raining or the temperatures have soared and being outside is not possible or just plain unpleasant?
Whatever you are doing outside, either relaxing with family, enjoying a morning coffee or late afternoon beer or wine, reading a book (who actually does this these days?) or hosting a braai for your friends, an awning can make the experience more pleasant and workable.
So, What Is an Awning?
An awning is a structure fixed to the exterior of a building, typically positioned above windows, doors, or patios, designed to offer shade and shelter from various weather conditions. Awnings are available in numerous shapes, sizes, and materials, including retractable and fixed options, as well as fabric, metal, and even motorized options.
Sounds Good, But What Do They Do?
Awnings have many useful functions besides keeping you cool or dry outside. They also help keep the heat outdoors in summer by blocking harsh sunlight from entering the home’s interior, thereby keeping the interior cooler and preventing UV rays from damaging materials like curtains, carpets, wooden floors, rugs and furniture. Prolonged exposure to strong sunlight fades and weakens most materials, and awnings are a good way to keep them fresh and durable over the years. Research indicates that, when exposed to direct sunlight, fabric awnings can decrease heat gain by as much as 77% outdoors and influence indoor temperatures, thus saving costs on keeping your home cooler in summer. Awnings are the heroes when it comes to saving a planned outdoor function but the weather on the day is unfavourable. You can still entertain in style even if the rain is bucketing down, as you can remain dry and comfortable under your oh-so-useful awning. Whilst they might not be a top-of-the-list fashionable demand, awnings can add value to your home by offering extra elements of style, individuality and functionality to your home. You don’t even have to compromise on style; whatever the architectural design of your home, you can find an awning to complement its appeal. Since they are available in a wide variety of styles, materials, patterns and operating options, you can find the right one to suit your lifestyle and home’s exterior appeal. Depending on the material or intention, awnings can be retracted by manual or mechanical means when not required, thus preserving their lifespan and functionality, or remain fixed if made from sturdier materials. Modern awnings are constructed from durable, weather-resistant materials which can withstand the rigours of variable weather, especially harsh UV rays, for many years. All you really need to do is a little cleaning or light maintenance now and then, and then concentrate on their usefulness rather than worrying about their longevity and appearance. After all, image and functionality are prime considerations, not so?
How Do I Choose the Right Awning for My Needs?
When choosing an awning, there are a few requirements to consider, such as:
Do you want a retractable or fixed awning? Retractable awnings can roll in and out as needed, which is perfect if you want flexibility. Fixed awnings are sturdy and always available to protect you from the elements with no intervention on your part.
What material do you prefer? Canvas (always a popular choice) offers a timeless and elegant look, whereas metal or aluminium awnings provide a more contemporary and durable option. Additionally, there are UV-resistant fabrics available to ensure optimal protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
What size and style would suit your home and needs? Do you need a small awning above a window (for those of you who have cats and have to leave a window open for them to come and go at will but have to stop the rain from entering – their needs first, of course!), or a larger covering for your patio or deck? There are options available for any needs, style or size.
Do you want a manually operated or motorised awning? If you are physically impaired or simply can’t be bothered to do this yourself, a motorised awning would be the perfect solution – all done at the push of a button. And let’s face it, the bigger the awning, the more effort is required to manually extend and retract it, which needs to be factored into the decision-making process.
As a Final Thought:
There is no doubt about the value, in both practical and financial terms, that awnings bring to your outside spaces. Don’t give up on enjoying your outdoor life at home to its fullest potential just because of inclement weather. Whether you opt for a retractable awning for added flexibility and choice or a fixed design for reliable shade, incorporating awnings can significantly enhance your outdoor experience. Invest in an awning to enrich your time outdoors whilst still enjoying optimum levels of comfort. You simply can’t go wrong! For further information and tips, see Uptasker’s articles and blogs and associated categories.
