What is an “awning”?
An awning is a secondary covering that is attached to the exterior wall of a building.
The Purposes of an awning
An awning can be a fixed or retractable fixture that can be attached to the exterior of houses, buildings, and other various structures (such as an RV vehicle even). It provides protection from the sun, shade for the windows, or anything underneath it, and its a good cover from the rain. As an outdoor fixture, it’s durability and flexibility help add value to space and make it a popular item, especially in open areas.
Retractable awnings can be operated either manually or with the help of a motor.
As the summers are getting hotter every year, it is beneficial to have an awning present to help reduce the amount of direct heat. An awning can help drop the temperatures by 19 degrees or more, which is a massive relief, especially with the heat we have been exposed to in recent years.
You might be thinking that this serves a purpose the same as that of an umbrella – that is true, but there is indeed a lot more to awnings than meets the eye. Not only do awnings cover a larger surface area, but they can indeed ameliorate any building with its presence.
An awning provides protection and shade to a more significant proportion of the area. Especially if you have food laid on the table, or arms chairs out in the open to catch some summer breeze, an awning can make it a very comfortable and enjoyable experience. Since awnings can fold and are versatile due to their convertibility, you can set it up on the hot days. You can also use it as cover against the rain to and enjoy it without getting drenched.
But that’s not its only use, in addition to providing a direct shade to its users; an awning can reduce heat and glare, thus keeping the inside of the building cool. It also reduces the energy consumption of air conditioning and any other fixtures and furniture from getting damaged by the heat.
Since an awning adds such a variety of convenience to your life, it is considered essential to make sure they are maintained and taken care of. This is to make sure that its lifespan is not cut short.
Here are some tips, as to how to properly maintain and take care of your retractable or folding awning:
– Remove anything that may obstruct or interact with your awning
Since awnings are usually fixed on the outsides of structures, they are more likely to interact with trees and their branches. That could be harmful, as twigs and leaves on these branches can be swung around by strong winds, which can, in turn, cause rupture and damage to your awnings, potentially damaging it permanently. Moreover, repeated strikes from the branches can cause stains that could be difficult to remove even on high quality folding arm awnings.
– Keeping it clean
It is essential to keep your awning clean on the regular. Keeping the awning clean can increase its lifespan. Regular maintenance and cleaning prevent the gradual increase and snowballing of dust and tiny debris which can hinder its life span. If left unattended for an extended period, the awning can rust in parts and start to show signs of staining. With dust, debris, rust, and stains, the state of the awning can deteriorate at an advanced rate and eventually wear out faster than anticipated.
What you need is a broom and water with a little dash of cleansing soap. This is friendly to the fabric and material it is applied to. If you are not interested in cleaning and maintaining the awning by yourself, there are for hire services that can tend to the awnings professionally.
– Avoid grilling directly underneath or in close proximity of the awning
Of course, it is a natural human urge to be out in the summers and enjoy the fresh air and soak in some vitamin D. Some families and businesses do enjoy setting up barbeque parties when the weather calls for it, as it is a favorite past time of the summer months.
Everyone can enjoy the summer sun, with some freshly roasted meat and buns; however, a barbeque can be enjoyed in the winter as well. The fire from the barbeque can keep everyone toasty and warm as the meal is cooked along.
But the only problem this introduces is that the smoke and fire from the barbeque grill can cause the awning to stain and rust quickly. It produces something called ‘soot’ which can cause permanent damage to the look and aesthetic of the awning.
– Being diligent against any damages received
As the weather worsens over time, it is difficult to anticipate what sort of extreme weather may present itself and when. It is crucial to maintain the health of your awning and tend to it as soon as any tears start to appear. Always be cautious of how frequent and repeated the small tears are, tend to them regularly; otherwise, they could cause major damage to the awning.
– Do not operate the awning against rough and harsh surfaces
In case you have installed an automatic awning, be sure to check that it is not scratching or rubbing against any abrasive surface when it is being turned on and off. This should be looked at during the installation phase. Otherwise, continuous exposure to such a surface will cause considerable wear and tear to the awning, and it will deteriorate much quicker.
– Don’t let it out in the open during extreme weather
Folding arm awnings have the purpose of protecting from the sun and rain but not from strong and dangerous winds. It is irresponsible to leave it open during extreme weather conditions. Make sure to completely retract the awning while keeping the fabric and the bar entirely safe. Moreover, your awning will also benefit from regular lubrication.
Conclusion
The primary purpose is to make sure that you receive the best value for your money. To achieve this, you should prioritize regular maintenance of the awning every year. Furthermore, ensuring that the awning is adequately stored will cover all the basics of its care and maintenance. Cleaning it thoroughly before storing it, will reduce the chances of any rust or dust from accumulating. It’s better if the storage area is well-ventilated and has very low, or is almost free of moisture. Exposure to moisture can lead to faster and more intrusive rusting of the awning.