Enhance Your Outdoor Living: the 10 Advantages of Awnings
Unveiling the 10 Advantages of Awnings: What are their functions?
In this article I will list the 10 advantages of awnings, starting with a small introduction on the functions of these products.
Awnings are mainly used as solar shading for windows, French windows or are installed on terraces and in gardens to create shaded areas and optimize the external space of a residential or commercial building, such as a hotel or a restaurant, especially in the summer period.
However, sun shading is not the only reason to install an awning.
Awning models
Awnings are divided into different categories depending on the use you want to make of the product or the technical characteristics of the building where they will be installed.
You can choose between awnings with folding arms, vertical awnings, pivot arm awnings, Dutch awnings, lateral guides awnings. Alternatively, it is possible to opt for a pergola, suitable both for creating shaded areas in front of French windows or to create cool oasis on terraces or gardens.
The functions of awnings
Before getting to the 10 advantages of awnings, it is important to understand that the functions of awnings are multiple, as are the advantages that can derive from them.
Depending on the awning model chosen, different solutions can be achieved.
Awnings models
The awning with folding arms allows you to create a shaded area in front of windows or French windows with minimal space, thanks to the total closure and maximum ease of opening and closing, especially with a motorized system. The folding arm awning can be professionally installed to measure depending on the available spaces, which can be up to 7 metres in length, thanks to the fact that multiple awnings can be placed side by side. The installer will evaluate your needs to recommend the most suitable model. Some types of awnings allow to enclose the fabric inside a cassette to protect it when not in use.
The vertical awning, on the other hand, despite being installed outside, offers solar screening inside the home, allowing you to control the amount of light that comes through the window. This type of awning takes up very little space, because it slides along the profile of the frame.
The vertical awning has the possibility of adding pivot arms to better regulate the desired brightness in the environment. An interesting function of this type of awning is that it can include both the winter sheet that descends vertically than the summer sheet which can be opened with pivot arms.
The Dutch awning is a very decorative type of awning, thanks to its “rounded” shapes. This type of awning is often used by commercial establishments, such as shops or bars, with the customization of the fabric (printed logo). This type of awning allows shading in front of the entrance where it is positioned.
The side rail awning allows to increase the shading by extending down to the floor, thanks to the sliding of the fabric within its guides, thus achieving total protection from the sun and more privacy.
The pergola, on the other hand, is a structure that can also be installed independently, therefore without having to fix it onto the wall. With this solution, it is possible to create shaded oasis on terraces or gardens to enjoy outdoor living spaces even in very hot periods.
The 10 advantages of awnings
Benefits of awnings can be advantageous for the buildings on which they are installed or to the external areas in which they have been positioned. Here are the 10 main advantages of awnings:
1- Protection from sun rays: awnings offer protection from UV rays, thus improving both environmental and visual comfort. The UNI EN 13561 standard defines the requirements for fabrics in these terms.
2- Temperature reduction: the awning protects from heat, reducing the temperature of the shaded area down of approximately 5°C.
3- Energy Saving: windows protected by awnings overheat less than unprotected ones. As a result, awnings facilitate the task of internal air conditioners.
4- Aesthetics: awnings can improve the garden areas thanks to their nice shapes and variety of colours.
5- Privacy: the awning guarantees greater privacy to external environments, protecting the view from areas outside the property.
6- Brand identity: the personalized awning, for example a Dutch or folding arm awning, allows to identify the business activity, thanks to the logo printed on the fabric. Colours can be chosen to match the company’s brand.
7- Protection from damage caused by the sun to fixtures and furniture: over time, both fixtures and outdoor furniture can discolour under the sun. Thanks to the awning, furniture will no longer be exposed to the sun and will therefore last longer over time.
8- Creation of relaxation areas without building permits: it is possible to install an awning or a pergola without requesting permits from the local municipality, unlike the installation of a fixed structure which requires specific permits.
9- Reduced costs compared to fixed structures: the awning has much lower costs compared to the purchase of fixed structures made of durable materials, such as wood or glass.
10- Flexibility in modifying or re-adapting your awning, according to new needs, unlike for fixed structures, which once installed, can no longer be modified. For example, a fabric can be added to a vertical awning for summer rather than winter protection or vertical awnings can be added to a pergola after installation on the sides for greater shading or privacy.
Choose Mectend products for your solar screening
With over 40 years of experience in the production of awnings and pergolas, Mectend offers a vast selection of products and can guide you in choosing the right solution for your home or commercial business. You can contact us for further information on the main advantages of awnings and the functions of each model.
