However, these flexible inserts are slowly and progressively finding their way into cars throughout the country, and there is good reason to it. Making outdoor living zones more usable to increasing the energy efficiency of a home the advantages of awnings are vast and more and more homeowners are waking up to them.
Essentially, therefore, awnings are basic constructions – portable canopies fixed to the façade of the building, and can be extended. But do not think that it is simple to that extent. Sleek and discreet these iconic elements are not to be underestimated, for they have capabilities of changing the looks and use of a property.
Let’s start with the most obvious advantage: umbrella. This might sound as a rather strange approach in a country, which values every droplet of sun light and limits them in a way. However, anyone who has stood baking in a house with a conservatory on one of the hottest days of the summer will need no persuading for the benefits of versatile shade. Awnings provide a way of using your patios or any sun exposed rooms or areas without the build-up heat or glares. Most of them are very vital in offering sharp end protection to children and pets from the strong UV rays of the sun on high sun hours.
However the use of awnings is not just about shading as there are many more advantages that are associated with it. They can transform your home’s impression by creating an outdoor room, depending on the type, of course. It is just like extending your living space where you can change your patio or decking into a dining area or a comfortable reading nook shielded from the scorching sun as well as light rainfall. This additional space of your home may prove particularly useful in the United Kingdom, for instance, where weather conditions may impede plans of having a barbecue, for example.
From an aesthetic point of view, awnings are an added bonus because it gives the homeowner chance to give the exterior of the building some character. When it comes to colours, patterns and styles they are available in all these and they can suit the existing d cor of the building or differ from the d cor. It is crucial to note that there are many choices available in the awning designs which you can select to suit your style preference be it the contemporary style or the traditional one.
In what can be described as one of its less recognised benefits, users can lower their energy consumption through the use of awnings. In a way, awnings can prevent direct sunlight from penetrating your windows hence effectively reducing the amount of heat that gets into your house. This additional feature has the main advantage in the form of energy efficiency where the building has been interviewed in the hot summer seasons, minimal use of artificial air conditioning will be required. Research has shown that awnings have the potential of lowering heat coming from the sun by as much as 77% on windows facing west and 65% on windows facing south. At a period when energy prices are going up the kind of savings represented by such figures cannot be underscored enough.
Again, awnings can also help in protection of interior parts of the buildings or houses. Direct bright light affects the colour of the carpet and furniture as well as causes the paintings and other artwork to peel. These structures also minimise the amount of direct sunlight that gains entry into your home hence extending the durability of your property and other belongings.
To work and relax, awnings are an advantage to many companies most especially those in hospitality industries. They increase usable outdoor seating areas, adding new outdoor protection and, perhaps, sales. Also they represent a huge branding potential with most companies having their logo or name written all over the awnings.
Regarding the awning options, they are simply endless, which is why I tried to highlight the most important types of these structures. This type has the added advantage of being one that can either be pulled out when required and retracted the rest of the time or during bad weather. There are different types of awnings: those which can be manually opened and closed, and those that are permanently installed; the latter are more resistant and can be constructed to sustain stronger winds and heavy rain, if necessary.
Products include plain canvas to various fabric types of today’s market, some fabrics that are meant to withstand weather abuses like fading and mildew among others. In some of the top-end models, there are additional features added to a model where one can control them through his phone or they can be connected to other home automation systems.
It is easy to install the awning normally one may install it by himself or herself but recommended to seek the services of a technician so that to be assured that has been well fixed and functions well. They are also capable of providing more information on the type of awning to use depending on one’s need and the type of building.
It is a low-maintenance structure where the only maintenance required would be perhaps once in a while cleaning and also making sure that some of the fittings that might have been used are well tightened. It is essential to understand that most premium quality awnings are built to have durability of many years and this is a good investment on your building.
However, I must add here that for some forms of the awning, you may require planning permission especially if you are to work with a list building or even if you are in a conservation area. If you are in doubt always consult your local council.
They offer a general solution to most problems such as inadequate ventilation and absence of yard space, as well as beautifying and increasing your asset’s worth. Today, as more and more people seek to gain space and attempt to save energies, awnings prove to be an attractive and efficient answer to this question. Thus on the next time you will be thinking of undergoing any home improvements, these are some of the steps that you can add. They could simply be the answers to your property’s prayers.
