An architectural canopy can make any building more appealing and more memorable.
Adding awnings and canopies is an excellent technique to highlight your design creativity or showcase your talent as a developer or builder. You can use the appeal of an architectural canopy to upsell clients, helping them turn an existing building or plans into something even more special.
Just think of the possibilities. An architectural canopy can:
- Enhance the exterior in a purely decorative way.
- Promote your client’s business and brand 24/7. Or upgrade the curb appeal and functional value of their home.
- Make it easy for visitors to find small or tucked-away entrances.
- Provide shade and shelter.
- Turn outdoor areas into functional space for activities or sales.
You don’t have to be a structural engineer in order to create an architectural canopy or awning for your residential or commercial clients. All you need is a collaborative working partner – a full-service awning company. If you can dream it, they can build it for you.
What are your options?
An architectural canopy can augment stand-alone buildings, strip centers and shopping malls or individual storefronts. It can be attached or freestanding, such as walkway covers or areas for outdoor seating or play. It can be a permanent exterior element or used only seasonally. It can be retractable or static.
You can design an architectural canopy to blend beautifully with any look from Art Deco to sleek contemporary, old-fashioned retro to urban chic. Use a traditional cantilever or arched style, or let your imagination run wild, creating custom shapes that produce virtually any effect.
You’ll find an outstanding array of fabrics to cover an architectural canopy, including high-tech specialty textiles. Use aluminum or steel or lovely iron work for the framing, or consider all-metal Mapes awnings. If you’re sustainability-conscious, you can spec environmentally friendly architectural canopy construction techniques and materials, including fabrics made from recycled products that support LEED certification.
Consider custom-designed window shade systems to complement your architectural canopy.
These relatively new products combine the practicality of a traditional window blind with the promotional value of posters. The specialized mesh fabric appears solid on the outside, so it provides excellent privacy for those working indoors. It also provides the perfect canvas for imprinting full-color photos, logos or other graphics as well as verbal messages.
But unlike a traditional blind, the mesh fabric allows light to penetrate. People inside can enjoy natural light without the hot sun or bright glare beaming in, and they still have an outdoor view. You can leave the blinds down all the time, or raise and lower them whenever you like.
Similarly, you can use window films. They’re designed for permanent placement, but can be easily removed and replaced when it’s time for a change.
What can a professional awning company do for you?
You’ll get knowledgeable help with everything from custom design and fabrication to installation. Professional awning experts can flesh out your ideas, transforming them into functional reality.
They’ll help you make appropriate design and materials choices for the location, canopy size and usage you have in mind. You’ll get full size auto-CAD drawings so you can review specs in detail to ensure accuracy, and full-color photo renderings to see how the finished architectural canopy will look in place.
Already have your specs in hand? You can get quick turnaround on a cost quote from an architectural canopy company, not to mention quick turnaround on the work itself. And you can get help with permitting if necessary.
Look for a one-stop shop that offers full design, engineering and manufacturing services. One experienced in working successfully with architects, developers and builders. One that uses OSHA-certified installers familiar with all types of architectural canopy installations.
No matter the building project, an architectural canopy provides the ultimate in functionality and a striking finishing touch.
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