Deciding Which Awning To Buy

By Mark Walters


You can find various types of awning on the market but basically an awning is a fabric cover that offers protection to a window, door, garden or patio. The fabric used for awnings are mostly made of weatherproofed materials but it is also possible to buy an awning made of a metal like aluminum. Awnings protect your home and the people living there from the weather, be that strong sunshine in warmer countries or heavy rain in cooler parts of the world. They also help to protect garden furniture from fading and other damage.

Awnings are available to purchase in all kinds of size and shape, they may be used to provide cover for small or large areas. A typical type extends from the wall of a house out over a patio in a garden to create a sheltered seating area for outdoors gatherings. This type of awning is often motorized and worked via a remote control. Some awnings are freestanding and this type is also portable and often referred to as a canopy. Some smaller awnings extend over doors and windows to help control light levels and regulate temperature in hotter countries.

A portable or freestanding awning can be constructed anywhere you like and whenever you please. They usually consist of the fabric cover, a frame and poles. You will see the two-pole kind being used by caravan owners to give them a sheltered seated area. Freestanding awnings with four poles may be called canopies and can be put up in gardens to create a covered area for a gathering or simply for more comfortable outdoors leisure time.

A fixed awning is a permanent structure that is installed to last. The most popular types extend from a wall to the garden but they can also be fixed over doors or windows. They are usually made of waterproof fabric and come in a wide variety of style, shape and color so if you are thinking of installing one you shouldn't have a problem finding a look that suits your home or business. Fixed awnings can also be found in metal if this is your personal preference.

Retractable awnings can be rolled away when they aren't being used and many now come with sensors that enable them to detect when to roll out i.e. in strong sunlight and when to retract for example when the wind becomes strong - thus avoiding damage to the awning. Many can be operated by remote control and have features such as integrated lights and heaters. These come in a variety of colors and styles and can offer extra protection to the exterior of your home.




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