A palapa is an outdoor structure that looks like a pergola with a thatched roof. Often seen peppered across beaches in Mexico and in tropical regions, palapas are great shade providers. When deciding to build a palapa over your patio for shade, or any sun blocker like a window awning or commercial awning, be sure you’re aware of how the sun moves across your property throughout the day, and position your shade structure accordingly. Hire a reputable professional who specializes in building and installing shade structures such as a palapa or a retractable awning in NYC .

Check out this informative video to learn more about palapa designs and storefront awning designs.

Outdoor space gives you and your guests more area to enjoy! If you are considering installing an awning near NYC to make your outdoor space more enjoyable, you have several options that can enhance this versatile space. The right one for you depends on many different factors, including your design preferences and how you plan to use your outdoor space. Here is a look at the different types of awnings you can expect to encounter when you make your purchase.

Stationary Awnings

As the name suggests, stationary awnings stay in position permanently. While these types of awnings are popular, they can be vulnerable to wind gusts and damaging snow build-up. Your awning company can help you determine the right placement to minimize any potential for damage and understand the proper care to avoid weather-related issues.

Retractable Awnings

Retractable awnings are extremely popular because of their adaptability. They give your customers the benefits of shade when they want to spend time outdoors and let you retract the awnings when they are not in use or when you want to provide a little more sun. The ability to retract these awnings means that you can protect them from weather damage when necessary, yet they offer the same sturdiness of stationary awnings.

Motorized Awnings

Motorized awnings, or electric awnings, are similar to retractable awnings, except that instead of manually retracting the awning, you can open and close it with a motorized system. Some motorized awnings even work by remote so that they can be opened and closed without you having to go outside. Likewise, some motorized awnings come with sensors and automatically open when the sun is out and retract when the wind reaches a certain level. If you buy a motorized awning, be sure to choose one that also comes with a hand crank for manual operation so you can still use it in the case of a power outage or motor failure.

Awnings offer both style and functionality for businesses, but how are these powerful shades manufactured? If you are considering a commercial awning in NYC , this video will give you some insight into the manufacturing process that goes into making the finished product.

For commercial awnings, the most important factors are the right fabric and the right stitching. Once the awning fabric is assembled, one end is threaded into a tube to hold that piece, and a carrier bar is created to build the awning framework. With custom awnings, the size of the awning material and the framework depends on the customer’s preferences. Depending on the awning design, a motor may also be inserted before the awning is ready for installation.

If you want the benefits of an awning near NYC but want a unique design, consider choosing a shade sail . Shade sails are gaining in popularity with both residential and commercial customers as an alternative to stationary and retractable awnings and can be as aesthetically pleasing as they are functional. Here are some of the reasons homeowners and businesses are investing in these outdoor shade structures.

Increased Comfort

Although many people crave outdoor time when the weather is nice and warm, the sun’s rays sometimes make it uncomfortable. Sitting under the beating rays can be too hot and bright, which forces many people indoors. With a shade sail, you can have the best of both worlds. The sail structure provides ample shade, while the open sides still let you enjoy the fresh air and surroundings. The cover provided by a shade sail makes everything from sitting in your backyard with a book to sitting on a restaurant deck enjoying a drink comfortable without so much coverage that you lose the feel of being outdoors.

Reduced Sun Exposure

In addition to making you uncomfortable in the short term, the sun’s rays can also be unhealthy for you in the long-term. Many people avoid the sun to reduce their risk of skin cancer and to slow the signs of aging. Shade sails give you and your family the protection you need to enjoy the outdoors without risking your health.

Unique Design Style

Shade sails offer a stylish solution for sun exposure. The tall, sweeping design and use of colorful fabrics make shade sails an aesthetic attraction rather than simply a functional piece. The design of shade sails makes them especially ideal for use as commercial building awnings and canopies, as you can choose colors that match your brand and provide a cool and comfortable outdoor space for your customers. Restaurants with outdoor eating areas in particular can benefit from using shade sails as awnings during warm weather.

There are lots of good reasons to invest in a commercial outdoor awning for your business, and you’ve probably already considered most of them like the how a storefront awning will help your business stand out and provide extra room for outdoor seating or merchandise display. However, there’s one reason you probably haven’t thought about—an outdoor awning is good for your health and the health of your employers and customers. It might not be the only reason you consider installing an outdoor awning in NYC , but consider the health benefits of shade and you’ll be even more inclined to get that storefront awning you’ve been thinking about.

Shade Blocks Harmful UV Rays

Although small amounts of ultraviolet light are beneficial, particularly in the production of vitamin D, prolonged exposure to solar UV radiation can induce degenerative changes in skin cells, fibrous tissues, and blood vessels leading to premature skin aging and, in serious cases, cancer. If your employees or customers are outside during the day, an awning can provide protection against these harmful rays .

Shade Can Help Prevent Overheating

Although shade doesn’t make outdoor temperatures any cooler, being in direct sunlight can make the air feel 10 to 15 degrees warmer than it actually is. On very warm days, standing or sitting in sunlight can cause the body to overheat leading to sun stroke and other harmful heat-related illnesses. An outdoor awning will provide shade that can keep your employees and/or customers cool, even on the hottest days of the summer.

Shade is Good for Your Eyesight

Although the lens and cornea inside the human eye filter UV light, doing so for many years can diminish eyesight and cause damage that eventually leads to corneal sunburn, cataracts, and some forms of eye cancer. An outdoor awning will provide your employees and/or customers temporary relief from bright sunlight that can cause eyestrain and, over the long term, eye damage.

Commercial outdoor awnings are a great investment for any business in NYC. Not only do awnings provide shade and protection from the elements for your customers, but they can help your business stand out in a busy street lined with competitors. If you’re thinking about having a commercial awning installed, or would like to update the look of your building by replacing your existing outdoor awning, consider these popular awning materials when you meet with an awning installation company serving NYC.

Acrylic

Acrylic and acrylic-coated synthetic fibers are among the most popular types of awnings for commercial applications since they are more durable than traditional canvas awnings. For example, acrylic fabrics and acrylic-coated polyester resist mildew and damage from UV light better than cotton and traditional canvas materials.

Vinyl

Vinyl-coated awning materials are also popular for outdoor commercial applications. Like acrylic awnings, vinyl awnings are a good choice for humid environments as they are highly mold and mildew resistant. More so than acrylic, vinyl awning materials offer greater translucency, making them ideal for backlit and illuminated storefronts.

Fiberglass

A lightweight and highly decorative option is fiberglass. These awnings are typically customer designed and manufactured with your choice of color directly in the material, which means you won’t need to worry about repainting your awning over time. Fiberglass awnings also come in a wide range of opaqueness levels so you can achieve the illuminated look you are going for and have a more attractive and eye-catching storefront awning.

The right awning for your business will depend on a number of different factors, including the style of your building and local codes regarding storefront awnings and signage. A commercial awning design and installation company in NYC can explore your options in greater detail and help you select the right type of awning material for your business. And if you need help designing an outdoor awning that will help your business standout, a commercial awning expert can help with that too.

A new awning is a terrific investment for your business. If you are looking for an awning design that is designed to stand up to seasonal weather conditions, you may want to consider the motorized retractable awnings that are available to you. With a retractable awning , you will be able to retract and protect your awning on a stormy day. An awning company serving NYC will work closely with you to design the perfect retractable awning for the needs of your business. To highlight the benefits of an awning installation, here is a closer look at some of the terrific benefits of retractable awnings.

Shade

One of the best benefits of a retractable awning is that this type of awning will provide significant shade and sun protection for your business. When you install a retractable awning over your storefront, you will be able to extend your awning to shade your indoor spaces on a sunny day. Additionally, retractable awnings can also be used to protect outdoor areas from the harsh rays of the sun. By protecting your business from sunny weather, you can eliminate sun damage while boosting the efficiency of your HVAC system.

Outdoor Protection

If you are the owner of a restaurant or café that offers outdoor seating, it is essential to make sure that your exterior spaces are shielded from sunlight and stormy weather conditions. With a retractable owning, you will be provided with flexible protection for your outdoor spaces. A retractable awning will prevent wood, fabrics, and metals from deteriorating over time.

Extended Lifespan

Retractable awnings offer significantly longer lifespans than their nonretractable counterparts. Since a retractable awning can be retracted on a stormy day, this type of awning is less likely to be exposed to damaging weather conditions. Additionally, retractable awnings can be taken in on windy days. With a new retractable awning installation, you will feel great knowing that your awning has been constructed to stand up to the tests of time. If a retractable awning seems like a good choice for your business, be sure to contact an awning company in your local area.