If you absolutely love using your outdoor space to the fullest, whether it’s getting comfy with a book on the patio sofa or enjoying some company, having protection from the elements is vital. Enjoying the serenity of your deck or patio all year round, with cover from the rain or protecting your skin from the harsh blazing sun is possible with the right awnings fabric.
Although awnings are ideal for your outdoor space, choosing the best awning material can be a dubious and even bothersome task. As there are several types of materials to choose from, there are several factors you should take into consideration when you are buying awning fabric.
When making purchasing decisions, the last thing any of us want after buying something new is to replace it shortly after. Here are some tips to help you choose the best awning fabric for your home and needs:
Location
Where you reside is of great importance when choosing the best awning fabric. Your awnings should be able to protect your space without changing color or ripping from heat damage, harsh winds or extensive rain. For instance, if you locality is prone to very hot summers, awnings of darker shades can make your patio warmer due to heat absorption.. In such instances, choosing an awning fabric that can reflect UV rays and minimal color absorption would be vital.
If you’re buying awning fabric for a commercial space, vinyl awning fabrics are ideal. They are durable and prevent water penetration. However, they may not be the ideal choice for residential spaces as they provide reduced air circulation and trap heat.
Make Enquiries About Water Resistance
As awnings are designed to shelter the spaces they cover from rain, or sun, they should be water-resistant and humidity-friendly by design. That means it’s the fabric used in the manufacturing and design process needs to have such properties in it’s making. Why? Well water-resistant fabrics not only prevent rain from passing through it, but also mildew and mold resistant. To check if your awnings have these properties it’s best to check with the awning fabric suppliers if the fabrics can withstand rain, wind, snow and other harsh weather conditions.
Maintenance
You probably have home appliances that are high maintenance, so you understand the strain on time and finances that can come as a result. Awnings made from natural materials like cotton are high maintenance and labor-intensive, meaning they’re not the ideal choice if you’re time poor
Thankfully, vinyl awning fabrics don’t require high maintenance because they can easily shed water. Mild soap and lukewarm water, you can easily wipe off dirt build-up on other fabrics such as acrylic awning fabrics. If you’re looking for a long-lasting, durable awning, Polycarbonate awnings are your best bet. They reduce light transmission and block harmful UV rays.
One tip to help you maintain your awning and prolong its use is to wash off any dirt on the fabric at least once a month.
Styles
There are different styles of awnings including retractable awnings, canopies, and drop awnings. The style that’s most suitable for you will depend on the purpose your awnings need to fulfill in your space.
- To achieve more coverage, retractable awnings are most suitable as they are designed with arms that unfold and retract with the fabric.
- Canopy awnings are great if your deck or patio is small, or you need covering over your homes windows.
- Italian or drop awnings are fitted externally around a window or door frame and consist of a retractable blind made from canvas or mesh fabric have a European appeal to them. They have sidearms that support the covering of the awning fabric, meaning they are durable to stand up to any weather Sydney has to offer without any lapses in performance.
Architectural Design of your Home
Another thing to bear in mind when you shop for awning fabric material if the surrounding environment and design. Sometimes your preferred awning fabric material may not complement your home’s architectural design.
For example grey, white or black colors are largely chosen for traditional-styled homes, while a forest green and navy blue awning fabric will largely depend on your homes color palette. However, bright-colored awnings fabric materials are great for contemporary-styled homes.
If colors resistance to fading is important to you, lighter colors such as light blue, white and yellow may be your best path. Bold colors like red are likely to fade easily due to sun exposure. However, regardless of the color of your choice, high-quality awning fabric material should last for several years before fade marks caused by the sun are revealed.
To Wrap It Up
Awning fabric materials provide protection and shade, allowing you to spend more time outdoors, making your patio or deck more enjoyable for you and your family. They also protect your sofas and other outdoor furniture, prolonging their lifespan.
When choosing an awning fabric material, one important factor is its durability. Therefore, asking your awning fabric suppliers about the best, high-quality awning fabric is important for the long-term. The other important consideration is the weather in your area when selecting a fabric material, particularly it’s resistance to harsh weather elements.
