Choosing an outdoor awning
The weather has been glorious lately, and we can't say that we blame you for wanting to make the most out of the outdoors. However - there are going to be times when the weather isn't exactly 100% as you'd like it. It may be that it's just that little bit too sunny, is raining despite being warm, or anything inbetween.
If this is sounding familiar to you, it may be time to purchase an awning. An awning is a form of secondary covering which is attached to a building, which acts as a shade. They're often found over doors or windows, or can sometimes stretch across a full wall.
Why buy one?
Awnings are ideal for protecting anything underneath it against the elements - be it people, a garden ornament, or a plant arrangement.
Believe it or not, there are countless varieties of awning available. Before you get buying, you'll want to measure the area in which you want to install one - we would even recommend measuring a few times to get the most accurate result.
After that, you have a few choices to make...
Which awning is right for me?
Most importantly, make sure you know what size area you're working with. Once you have accurate measurements, look for awnings that meet that dimension.
Many awnings come made as a DIY kit, which allows you to assemble the structure yourself. They don't require much DIY skill to make, but you may simply want something you can install straight away.
After you've decided if you're a DIY whizz or not, it's time to think about if you want a more permanent structure, or one that can be folded away. You may prefer one that folds away for aesthetic purposes, or may just want to install it and leave it at that. Most fold-away awnings are either motorised, or can be folded away by using a hand crank.
You'll also want to to consider what material you want your awning to be made of. They can be made from anything from a canvas and aluminium frame, to wood, to steel.
Lastly, have a think about what it is you want to use the awning for - do you want to add a finishing touch to an external window, want to protect a prized outdoor plant, or do you want something that provides guests with shade when you're having a party?
We know- it's a lot to think about. For further assistance with buying an awning, please feel free to contact us