Not sure how to select the best awning design for your building? Here are a few pointers.
Intended purpose of awning.
Awnings are beloved by architects, building and business owners because they can serve numerous purposes simultaneously. So the best awning design depends on how you plan to use your awning or canopy.
Awnings can improve your building’s exterior appearance, shade your windows and protect people from the weather year round, make it easier for people to find you, promote your place to prospective customers 24/7 and help you put outdoor space to more productive use.
Size of building.
A petite storefront can take on an exceptional appearance with an awning that includes a lot of small detail, whereas all that “fussiness” would look wildly out of place on a large structure. Larger buildings have more windows and often multiple entrances, too. If that’s the case with your building, you’ll want to consider quantity when evaluating the best awning design.
Sometimes it looks best to cover all street level windows and doorways with a single awning that runs the full length of your business, but you may want to separately cover each door and window instead, especially if your want to emphasize architectural elements.
Architectural style of building.
In some ways, a plain box gives you the broadest “canvas” for artistic expression in dreaming up the best awning design. But some might say the best awning design comes from creating awnings that beautifully complement existing architectural features. New York City and the entire region are replete with examples on both ends of the architectural spectrum, though most buildings sit somewhere in between. Learn more about New York City awning design .
Type of business.
The best awning design for a toy store or a children’s apparel boutique could easily be something brightly colored that exudes fun and personality, whereas a look like that would be hopelessly out of place on awnings and canopies at a hospital campus. All-metal might be the material of choice when it comes to fabricating the best awning design for a building with multiple loading bays, but it’s the wrong choice if you want a soft look.
Location of building.
Does your building sit all by itself, or is it shoulder-to-shoulder with other buildings on the block? It’s a lot tougher to stand out among your neighbors if they’re close by, so the best awning design is one that not only reflects your business and looks good with your building but is distinctly different from the awnings on either side of you.
At what distance will people be viewing your building? Will they be pedestrians, driving, riding the bus? If customers only need to identify your building from a block or so away the best awning design doesn’t have to “shout” quite so loudly. But if you’re alongside a highway with fast-moving traffic or on one of NYC’s broadest thoroughfares where people may be farther away, the best awning design has to provide larger-than-life visibility. That’s even truer for shopping centers or other business groupings set back from the roadway.
What is the physical environment like where your building is located? No place in the NYC area escapes harsh winter weather and seasonal extremes of temperature, humidity, etc. But some areas pose additional challenges. Wind, especially if it’s blowing gritty sand, can cause premature wear or damage. Some parts of the City are inherently dirtier than others. It’s important to choose the best awning design for your “total package” of environmental conditions. Follow the link to learn more about which awning designs are the most weather resistant.
Municipal zoning and building codes affect buildings differently depending on where they’re located, and if your building carries landmark status or you’re in a designated historic neighborhood, there are additional rules that dictate – or at least limit — the best awning design for you.
Want to know more? The best way to select an awning design that’s right for you is to consult with a local, experienced commercial awning company.
