Architects naturally have a good eye, and some business owners do, too. The more you know about the do’s and don’ts of architectural awning fabrics, the easier it will be to direct your creative thoughts toward the best materials to achieve your aesthetic and functional goals.
DO take a holistic approach.
It takes careful planning to design awnings that live up to their good looks with lasting performance. That requires understanding that although there are myriad alternatives and ways to use each one, not every option works well with every other option.
DO consider your awning’s primary and secondary purposes.
- Shade – awnings that shade windows reduce glare and solar heat gain, saving you money on air conditioning while keeping people more comfortable indoors. They also protect merchandise, carpet and furnishings from fading and deterioration caused by exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun. And shade that covers outdoor food and beverage areas allows you to use more space for more of the year, enabling you to generate more revenue.
- Shelter – awnings cover pedestrian areas such as sidewalks and walkways, entrances for people and also for loading docks, garages, etc.
- Decoration – who doesn’t want a better looking building or business? It’s a matter of pride, increased reputation and greater sales appeal.
- Identification and marketing – if prospective and existing customers can’t find you, your business will never grow and thrive.
DO consider your location.
Some fabrics are better suited for weather extremes such as heat, humidity, cold and wind or environmental factors such as salt or dust or vehicle exhaust.
DO investigate all of today’s innovative architectural awning fabrics.
They are marvels of science and engineering. Even if you already have an awning you love that “simply needs to be replaced,” there could be something even better that has become available since you designed your current awning. Architectural awning fabrics now offer:
- Greater strength and durability.
- Better color retention.
- Heat and fire resistance.
- Resistance to moisture, mold and mildew.
- Ultraviolet light protection.
- Longer lifespans and warranties.
All that and an outstanding range of colors, patterns and textures that can be smooth and shiny or mimic old-fashioned canvas, linen, etc. Every artist should have such a palette to work with. You can add specialty coatings and top-coatings to extend the life of your awning, and you can also incorporate transparent or translucent panels to allow more light.
DO consider what graphics you want to display.
There are many ways to add lettering and images, although not every application technique works with every type of fabric. Traditional hand painting and silk-screening are still in use, but new fabric and ink technologies enable more options:
- Pressure-sensitive vinyl.
- Heat-sealed inset fabric.
- Sewn-in inset fabric.
- Heat-transfer film.
You can put any image anywhere – or all over – with digital printing. No matter how large, your images always look crisp and colorful.
DO consider application options:
Illumination is a virtual necessity to provide 24/7 visibility. And many businesses can use awnings to great effect indoors as well as outdoors.
Sometimes the right “fabric” isn’t a fabric at all.
All-metal awnings can be exactly the right choice for certain applications. They easily stand up to the toughest outdoor conditions. They create a very different look and, often, a more “imposing” presence. Used as awnings-plus-signage, they can be huge in size, ensuring long-distance visibility excellent for shopping centers or very large buildings.
Metal awnings can incorporate louvers that filter sun without cutting out the light and produce attractive shadow patterns on the façade .
Don’t go it alone.
A full-service commercial awning company can help you learn more about architectural awning fabrics, and they can recommend the most appropriate products and design for your awning project. If you can dream it up, they can fabricate it and install it to your specifications.
