3 Keys To Strengthen Your Shade Systems

Trying to strengthen your shade systems after the fact – that is, after they’ve been designed and installed – is often a wasted effort. If your canopy or awning isn’t sturdy enough in the first place, trying to beef it up later on is something like sticking a Band-Aid on your broken leg. It’s not the right tool for the job.

In some instances, you can strengthen shade systems by adding more posts or additional brackets to reinforce the existing installation. But the best advice is to replace what you have now with new shade systems that are stronger to begin with – properly designed, constructed from the most appropriate materials and installed by professionals.

Here are three keys to ensuring you get the performance and durability you really need:

1. Starting over enables you to reassess.
Now that you’ve had some experience with shade systems, you’re in a better position to know what you want. Make a list of your favorite features of your current system. Then make a list of attributes you’d like to include in your next system. For example, greater strength.

Think about the purpose of your shade systems – who uses that space, and how.

Is it just for your backyard or terrace? Is it for limited group use, such as a condo association pool? Or are your shade systems part of a school or parks system or commercial building or business?

Think about seasonality. Obviously shade systems that are used multi-seasonally must be constructed of hardier materials than a structure that’s only used to provide patio shade during the summer.

Think about longevity. How long do you expect your system to last? The longer it’s exposed to the elements, the faster it will wear out, of course. If you’ll only use the shade structure once or twice a year for some special event, that calls for different specs than something that will see more extended use.

If you’re planning a brand new installation of shade systems, you should contemplate these same questions before getting too deep into your project.

2. Framing and fabric choices determine strength.
Starting with the right materials allows you to create shade systems that will look good and perform well for the longest time. That gives you the best return on your investment. You may be better off with steel framing rather than aluminum. You may need fabrics with special features such as fire resistance. The good news is that your physical requirements can be custom-tailored to a design that’s uniquely yours.

Installation is a critical component of strength, so don’t treat it as an afterthought. You want professional installation from a crew that has experience with your type of awning and your type of location, so you can be confident the work is done right.

Sloppy installation essentially guarantees your shade systems will be weaker right from the start. They will be more likely to develop problems over time, and that means unnecessary repairs that will negate the value or your original investment.

3. You get what you pay for.
There is fundamental truth in this old adage. The last thing you want is shade systems that aren’t up to the job at hand thanks to inferior quality materials or workmanship. But there’s no point in paying for something that far exceeds your needs, either.

You don’t have to figure all this out for yourself. Gather up your notes from your “needs and wants” assessment, then review them with an awning professional. They’ll make sure you’ve considered all the angles, both functional and aesthetic. You’ll save time because there a professional can help zero in on the best choices among what can be a daunting array of options.

You’ll get better results, too — shade systems specifically designed to accomplish your goals and strong enough to last a long time.

Photo Credit: ~ggvic~ via Flickr

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