Awning Fabrics
Overview
Awnings are outdoor coverings for walls, windows, doors, patios, and Rvs (recreational vehicles). They provide protection, shade, and aesthetic quality to any type of structure. Awnings can be fixed or retractable. Fixed awnings are permanently installed coverings while retractable awnings can be extended only when needed. Retractable awnings can come equipped with motors. These motors automatically withdraw or extend awnings by a simple flick of a switch or by pressing a button.
Awnings provide protection against harmful environmental elements. Awnings prevent the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays from entering windows and damaging furniture. By blocking sunlight, awnings help maintain a comfortable room temperature indoors. Awnings also block rain from seeping into wooden walls and in effect, prevent walls from rotting and softening. In places where hailstorms are prevalent, awnings can block high-velocity hailstones that can strike glass windows and cause them to crack or shatter.
Most awnings are made of fabric like nylon, acrylic, and canvas, although some awnings make use of aluminum coverings. Awnings also provide architectural interest and aesthetic quality to most structures. The beauty of awnings is that it can come with a variety of colors and patterns of fabrics. Awning fabrics are stretched over a steel, wood, aluminum, or iron frame that acts as the awning’s skeleton. Most awning manufacturers and suppliers have produced their own line of patented fabrics that are dyed, coated, and treated with different enhancing solutions. These solutions make awning fabrics more durable, weather-resistant, tear-resistant, and waterproof.
Choosing awning fabrics
There are several considerations when choosing awning fabrics. Determine what type of awning you need depending on where you will be using it. The location of awnings can dictate what type of fabric and protection you will need. Awnings can be installed in windows, doors, sidewalks, restaurants, walls, patios, and RVs. Larger awnings such as those for patios and RVs need to be thicker to stand up to strong winds, storms, and harsh sunlight. Window awnings can be made of lighter fabrics to let some amount of sunlight in.
Decide on what look you want your awnings to have. Aside from protection, awnings can also add aesthetic quality to homes and outdoor structures. Awnings have evolved from the typical green and white-striped look to more contemporary styles that fit any type of home or building. For a rustic look, choose darker-colored awnings in shades of moss, wood, and earth. For a contemporary feel, choose neutral colors like grey, white, or beige. If you want your awnings to stand out, choose bright colors like red, blue, or yellow.
For protective purposes, awnings should be made of thick fabrics that have been treated to withstand exposure to extreme temperatures and climates. Most awning fabrics are treated to resist water, wind, and sunlight. Awning fabrics should not tear or rip easily and should last a good five years or so.