Awnings can be both practical and promotional, which is why business people love them so much. For some businesses, aesthetics and marketing take precedence in determining the type of awning that’s most desirable. For others, it’s primarily about coverage.
Mapes awnings are the way to go when you need clear, easy-to-read identification from a distance or the ability to protect equipment or people from the weather.
Mapes awnings fill specific roles beautifully.
They offer significant advantages when it comes to practical coverage of areas like walkways, parking spaces, loading docks or garage entrances where people or vehicles are transitioning in and out.
Because they can extend up to a 20-foot span without the need for additional mid-span support underneath, Mapes awnings are a good choice for covering parking or other areas where visual or movement obstruction is undesirable. You can build a portico for drive-through banking service, patient or guest reception, etc., knowing everyone and everything will be well-protected from the hot sun, rain, snow and wind.
Mapes awnings are also ideal for fabricating the simple shapes and very large letters or numerals needed for expansive wall signage in locations that require superior visibility, whether to identify a single business from across a parking lot, an individual building within a campus setting or multiple entrances for people and vehicles.
And you can coordinate that signage with shelf-style awning designs that attach via hangar rods to provide protection below. You don’t have to anchor a shopping mall to enjoy the benefits of all-aluminum Mapes awnings and canopies. But if you do own a very large building or you’re the developer or architect, Mapes awnings are a top choice for these reasons.
Mapes awnings are top performers, too.
They are tough as nails, as the saying goes — without the rust. Therefore, you can forego the re-painting and related maintenance required of steel. Heavy-duty aluminum may not a candidate for temporary or seasonal canopies, but it’s a top-notch option in many instances where you need a permanent installation you can rely on to last a long time with little attention.
Aluminum is lightweight, one-third the weight of steel for comparable strength, so Mapes awnings can be very large without becoming excessively heavy. That’s much more practical for mounting on building exteriors. And these awnings can easily be introduced as a retrofit on an existing building.
Mapes awnings come in standard shapes and sizes, but they can also be custom-designed and fabricated and colored, as long as you don’t need complex designs:
- Awning sections can have a solid roof or louvers or translucent panels to filter the light.
- Flush-mounted sections can be flat, curved or arched to add three-dimensional appearance.
- Colors can be custom-matched to your company palette and logo.
- You can add decorative escutcheons.
One important note: Despite the fact that Mapes awnings come “ready to assemble,” it’s not something to consider, because quality workmanship directly affects performance down the road and installing these awnings isn’t as simple as it may seem.
There are a few drawbacks to Mapes canopies.
Mapes awnings are strong, long-lasting and virtually maintenance-free. And while they offer excellent identification and protection from the elements, they have promotional value only insofar as making your business undeniably visible. So they aren’t suitable for every application.
They are not “decorate-able” beyond custom colors and fairly simple shapes. So if your design calls for an intricate or elegant effect, Mapes awnings are not for you.
These “cons” of Mapes awnings are really in the eye of the beholder, in that they relate more to applicability for a given purpose and location instead of inherent problems that could affect performance or durability. Choosing Mapes awnings is a really a matter of preference and practicality.
