Tips For Choosing The Best Storefront Awning
Want to give your storefront a new look? Why not opt for window and storefront awnings
? These will not only enhance your stores look, but will also protect you and your customers from any type of weather condition. Read on to know how to choose the best suited storefront awning.
A storefront awning can work wonders for your stores look as well as protect the doors and windows from wear and tear that occurs due to exposure to the elements including wind, rain, fine dust particles, sleet, hail, and even a strong sun whose ultra violent light causes colors to fade and can ultimately destroy fabric. When it comes to choosing the awning, you must remember that your choice is defined by and is dependent on, the type of the building, climate and weather conditions in the area, and your budget. Storefront awnings are an important investment and if you want to get the maximum exposure, select an awning thats durable, reliable, aesthetically pleasing, information and logo-rich, and fulfills all your other general requirements.
1. Awnings that suit the climate: With a country as large and diverse as the United States, it goes without saying that your awning of choice must fit the climate you live in as not all awnings are created equally or designed to withstand the same tolerances of wind, rain and sun exposure. For instance, if your business resides in a snowy climate like the Great Lakes or Northeast, retractable awnings might be the better option as snow loads even relatively light ones on the order of an inch or two, can soak up enormous amounts of additional moisture and grow heavier over time as the sun turns packed powder into slush. In damp winter climates with temperatures hovering near freezing (32F) one inch of rainfall is equivalent to as much as a foot of snow and a major cause of roof and awning collapse.
Conversely, drier and hotter climates may perform better with lighter weight canvas awnings, some with mesh siding to prevent wind or dust. Sunnier climates also have to contend with the possibility of color fading and paint chipping as UV light can actually break paint molecule bonds. As such, make sure you check with your awnings manufacturer to find out if they powder coat their awnings for maximum protection against color fading and paint chipping. Remember, while choosing the awning type, inform the awning manufacturer about all the various weather conditions that can occur in your area. While modern day awnings are built to withstand wind extremes, not all are fit to survive a tropical storm or a hurricane, which in a worst-case scenario can bring feet of rain and winds in excess of 120 m.p.h. So, tell your awning manufacturer the extremes of temperature and weather your area sees regularly.
2. Awnings that are the right size: Your storefront awning has to be in perfect balance with the size of your stores front opening. Many businesses may choose for large awnings to get more protection from the weather, but this practice usually makes the storefront look disproportionate and out of sync. Just think of a pedestrian wearing an oversized hat or walking with a jumbo umbrella. In other words, what you dont want is your business to be hidden by its own awning. You want it to be an eye-catcher, helped by coverage and proper marketing and not hurt.
Also, a larger awning means an increase in maintenance costs. Choose for adequate size storefront awnings as they look decorative and appealing. You can choose between different types of awnings like fixed and retractable awnings. This choice again depends on the foot area you have in front of your store and the length of your stores opening. Remember that retractable awnings come with increased cost of installation and maintenance as compared to fixed awnings. Here the rule of thumb is that like anything with moving parts, be it an awning, a car engine or a computer hard drive, parts that move cause friction, heat, stress, and over time, can fail. Thats why the size of the awning in question and whether its semi-permanent, fixed, or retractable is also important if you are considering using the awning for signage purposes. You need to inform your chosen awning supplier about your signage requirements too. Another important thing you need to keep in mind while deciding on the size of the storefront awning is the amount of energy savings you wish to achieve. If you choose an awning with a lower drop to let the sunlight come in during winters, you will have to spend less on your heating costs. But the same angle that protects in keeping out winters chill can unintentionally let in summers heat. So make your choice wisely because a well-placed awning can be highly effective in lowering heating or cooling costs and by extension increasing your energy efficiency.
3. Awnings that suit your business image: You can choose awnings in the colors of your logo to make a statement and strengthen your brand image. Todays assortment includes anything from backlit affairs to neon-embedded lighting to stenciled block lettering. Recently theres been an awnings trend returning to Middle East and Mediterranean styling, a nod to the roots of the modern shade structure. These awnings feature distinctive blues and whites, often in parallel lines or blocks of color. Of course, modern awning with a combination of metal, mesh and canvass, some with flat roofs and other sloped, are equally popular too.
If you are aiming for a chic appeal, opt for aluminum awnings, metal awnings and metal canopies as your choice of
storefront awnings. On the other hand, canvas awnings, made from thick, durable fibers, evoke a more traditional feel. Besides, awnings of that type have been around since ancient times. They also tend to be more flexible. If properly installed they can withstand extreme winds, as the non-ridged structure absorbs wind energy rather than snapping or breaking in its onslaught. Think of a swaying palm tree versus a sturdy (and immobile) hardwood Maple tree. Which tree do you think will withstand greater wind speeds?
Of course, in addition to popular triangular styles, lending themselves to bold, clear lettering, custom
dome awnings are another subset with their own unique advantages. Dome awnings are more aerodynamic whose curvature lets wind blow around it rather than through it. The result is a more stable structure that allows lettering to wrap around the awning increasing off-center visibility. In addition, dome awnings increased interior volume improves airflow while creating a larger space for hot air to rise and eventually vent. And dome awnings, due to their less common nature, can be an ideal marketing tool as their design is part of their image.
Awnings of all types highlight a buildings style, complement its architecture or set the mood all while incorporating the latest modern technology. Whether for a restaurant, a hotel, or any commercial retail space, awnings transform and brand your space through custom lettering, colors, pattern, and design.
Keep these points in mind and you will find yourself getting the best storefront awning for your business.
by: Michael Richman
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