Commercial awnings help businesses stand out, but that’s not the only thing they’re good for. Storefront awnings can transform the front of your business into a covered outdoor seating area, providing your customers’ shade and protection from the elements. And thanks to modern advancements in outdoor awning materials, a custom-designed and professionally-installed awning in NYC will last for decades. Here’s a look at some of the material options you have to choose from when designing a new storefront awning .
Vinyl
Although heavier than acrylic and acrylic-coated materials, vinyl awning fabrics are very resistant to UV light and 
mildew. Vinyl also offers greater translucency than most other fabrics and materials, making them ideally suited for backlit and illuminated awnings. One of the downsides of vinyl is that there are generally fewer styles and colors to choose from compared to acrylic fabrics.
Acrylic
Canvas was traditionally the preferred awning material until acrylic and acrylic-coated synthetic fabrics came around. These materials hold up much longer compared to canvas, and are also much better suited at repelling water. Like vinyl, acrylic fabrics and fabrics coated with acrylic work well in areas with high humidity are resistant to damage from UV light.
Fiberglass
If you’re looking for a more permanent shade structure, fiberglass is a lightweight alternative to steel or aluminum. Fiberglass awnings are molded with color pigments in the resin, preventing the need to repaint. Unfortunately, fiberglass awnings can become brittle over time and may need to be repaired or replaced sooner than fabric sun awnings.
These are just a few of the awning materials you can choose from. If you are looking for a custom shade structure for your business, get in touch with a commercial awning supplier in NYC to discuss your options and determine which type of material (and which type of awning) is right for you.