It’s amazing how much difference an awning can make. Especially a window awning . If your storefront is in need of a little pick-me-up, visually speaking, adding a window awning can dress it up. Or you can completely transform the appearance of any façade, from an expansive block-long department store to the tiniest boutique shop.
A window awning says good things about your business: you care about details, your building’s appearance, your neighborhood. Probably your customers, too. People like that.
Of course, a window awning can also be eminently practical, helping:
- Block hot sun and ultraviolet light.
- Protect personal belongings or merchandise inside from damage.
- Reduce annoying glare.
- Keep your interior cooler without using so much air conditioning. That can conserve energy and money, too.
- Keep your windows cleaner longer, with less build-up of dust, city grime or rain spots. That improves the view.
Awnings can visually improve a bland building façade, and they can accentuate striking architectural features on an interesting building. They not only give your storefront a face-lift, they can give it a yours-only, entirely unique and distinctive look. So, go ahead. Let your imagination run wild. Or think conservatively, if that’s more in keeping you’re your type of business.
What are your options?
There are lots of details to think about when designing a window awning. The best configuration depends on the look you want, the performance factors you need, and in many cases the angle and direction of the sun. For your storefront’s face-lift, you’ll want to contemplate visual elements such as:
- Coverings. You can choose fabric or metal. Metal awnings can have a continuous surface to entirely block the sun, or they can be fabricated with louvered slats or see-through smoky or translucent panels that filter the sunlight. Clear panels can give your window awning a distinctly modernistic “greenhouse” look. You can choose copper or stainless steel fittings, or copper sheeting that’s eye-catching yet elegant.
Fabrics can be solid colors or patterned. Stripes are always popular, but certainly not your only choice. Colors can match your storefront’s exterior or trim, or they can provide a snappy contrast to draw the eye.
- Shapes. Your window awning can be the traditional cantilevered design, a horizontal “eyebrow” line or a tent-like arched or domed shape. Awnings can be tall or short, narrow or deep. You can position them to shade just a little space at the top of the window or a significant part of the window glass. You can create a single run across multiple windows or individual window awning treatments.
- Side brackets. Their job it so hold up your window awning, so they can be simple and unobtrusive. But they can also be decorative and pretty, made of wood or wrought iron. Or your awning can have solid side panels for extra shading, like wraparound sunglasses.
- Valances. A valance can give any window awning an entirely different look. And they add a little movement in the breeze. If your goal is more decorative than functional, you might consider just a narrow valance at the top of the window.
- Retractability. Retractable awnings are historically correct in some instances, but they aren’t always practical. And in a sense they will defeat your purpose – that smart new face-lift – because they aren’t a permanent addition to your storefront’s appearance.
- Your visual brand. Awnings don’t just adorn your storefront, they promote your business. If you choose a fabric covering, you can add any graphics, anywhere, thanks to digital printing.
Adding a window awning can give a face-lift to more than just typical storefront businesses like food and beverage establishments or retail shops. No matter what type of commercial enterprise you operate – a hotel or office building, even a church, school or hospital – style counts.
Could your building use a face-lift? Hmmmm… How do you think a window awning would look?
Photo Credit: tulsaloop via Flickr
