Across the seasons, your backyard may face some serious challenges. Heavy snow, thunderstorms, searing sun rays, and even pesky critters can make your outdoor spaces very unappealing. Luckily, there’s an addition that can protect your home’s backyard reprieve while providing a beautiful touch—awnings.
So, what is an awning? Part decor, part functional, an awning is an installable roof-like cover for an outdoor space. These handy covers can protect you from rain, shine, or other weather-related troubles, so you can use your outdoor areas as you please (hello, summer afternoon beverage breaks).
Curious to start covering your outdoor areas? Outdoor awnings are available in many types of designs, materials, and sizes. So, if you’re investing in this long-term home addition, you want to make the right choice. Keep reading to learn about the different types of awnings available for you.
What Are the Benefits of an Awning?
Like a swinging bench or backyard fountain, an awning can greatly improve the appearance of your home. However, these coverings also provide some significant benefits to your outdoor spaces.
Depending on the design and placement, installing an awning helps achieve any of these incredible home advantages:
- Weather and sun protection – Yes, the sun’s warmth is one of the best parts of summer (or any season). However, those UV rays can bring some uncomfortable heat or even skin damage. An awning blocks the sun’s harmful UV light while you enjoy the outdoors, as well as other elements like rain, snow, or wind.
- Property protection – Your backyard furniture may be built for the outdoors, but it still needs some protection from snowstorms, rain, or high temperatures. Awnings can protect both you and your outdoor property from weather damage. Keep your patio, backyard, or porch furniture undamaged all season long by installing a sturdy awning.
- Lower energy costs – In the summer, the sunniest room in your home can practically turn into a sauna. Place an awning over your windows, and you’ll instantly create a cooler home environment. Standing under shade can decrease the perceived temperature by up to 15 degrees. The result? You use your air conditioner less and save more money on your electric bill.
- Increased home value – Awnings are considered a prized home addition. Most home shoppers would appreciate a well-chosen awning since they add aesthetic appeal, weather protection, and privacy. If you end up selling your home, awnings may boost your selling chances.
Different Types of Awning Designs—Three Structures
When people hear the word “awning”, they might imagine a blue-and-white striped fabric extended over a restaurant doorway. However, that’s just one of many awning types available to homeowners. To find the outdoor cover that fits your home, get to know the three main types of awning designs.
#1 Fixed Awnings
Fixed awnings are the most simple form of outdoor covers. This design is attached to a building’s exterior, usually consisting of two horizontal poles holding a cover between them. Since fixed awnings are stationary, they usually work best for doorways, backyards, or other outdoor areas where you would want consistent coverage.
Unlike other designs, fixed awnings come in many different shapes. Consider these fixed shapes for your own home:
- Open-sided slope – Flat cover that slopes downward with open sides
- Rigid valance – Flat cover that slopes downward with closed sides
- Crescent – Flat cover with a concave (or inner-facing) curve
- Waterfall – Flat cover with a convex (or outer-facing) curve
- Dome – Flat rounded cover that looks like a quarter-sphere
- Canopy – Half-cylinder cover that extends from the outer wall to two vertical poles
If you choose a fixed awning, make sure it’s a choice in which you’re 100% confident. Once a fixed awning is installed, it will remain there indefinitely. Otherwise, the entire fixture must be fully removed from your home’s exterior to be taken down.
#2 Retractable Awnings
Do you love the idea of an awning—but aren’t sure if you’ll love it all year round to choose a stationary awning? Get the best of both shady and sunny worlds with a retractable awning.
Retractable awnings are outdoor covers that are attached to your home, either rolling out or unfolding into place. When not used, they remain tucked away, out of sight and out of mind. This flexibility makes them a very popular choice for outdoor coverage—including for RVs looking to bump up their relaxation space and square footage once parked.
If you’d prefer your shade on-demand, consider one of these two retractable awning types for your outdoor spaces:
- Manual – Like curtain blinds or a projector screen, manual retractable awnings unfold or roll out by hand. Overall, their simplicity leads to less maintenance and less money spent. If you want a manual retractable awning, make sure it’s going over an area that’s easy to reach, like first-floor windows, doorways, or certain patios.
- Motorized – Want full control of shade levels in your backyard? Install a motorized retractable awning. These awnings rely on a connected hand-crank or remote-control system to unfold into place. For a truly high-tech awning, consider sensor-triggered designs. These motorized covers can extend on their own at the very first sign of sunshine or rain.
How much do retractable awnings cost? At ALEKO, we’ll help you find an awning that suits your home and budget.
#3 Freestanding Awnings
Yes, your beach umbrella is technically a freestanding awning. However, a quality freestanding awning will provide significantly more coverage than your beloved beach tool.
Freestanding awnings are completely detached from your home. While some are installed into the ground, others are portable and can provide shade wherever placed. Most designs consist of 4 vertical poles, open sides, and a supported cover.
Since freestanding and portable awnings are solo units, they can cover much more ground than fixed or retractable awnings. Their scope would work incredibly well for:
- Pools or poolside areas
- Lawns
- Large patios
- Picnic areas
- Eating areas
- Mobile families (if portable)
Keep in mind—portable awnings may not be as sturdy as attached designs. If your main concern is rain or harsh weather, you might consider an installable freestanding awning or an awning attached to your home.
Three Different Types of Awning Materials
The material of an awning can completely change its function, durability, and look. In fact, certain designs may not work with certain materials (i.e., retractable awnings and fiberglass). Consider the top three categories of awning materials when picking your dream cover.
#1 Fabric
Out of all home awnings materials, fabric is the most popular and affordable. Why so? Fabric awnings aren’t only affordable, but the material also offers an incredible range of benefits and looks, ranging from breezy cotton to sturdy vinyl-coated covers. Choosing an awning fabric depends on what you prefer while considering conditions like inclement weather, amount of direct sunlight, strong UV rays, and more.
If you’re considering a specific fabric for awnings, take a look at these common choices:
- Cotton – Light and breathable natural fabric
- Polyester – Light and versatile synthetic fabric
- Canvas – Thicker fabric combining cotton and synthetic fibers
- Acrylic – Water-repelling and highly durable fabric
- Vinyl – Water-repellent fabric with a very sturdy feel
#2 Metal
Looking for a low-maintenance, durable, and stylish cover for your patio? Then a metal awning just might be your answer.
Metal may not be flexible like fabric, but it makes up for the stiffness in sturdiness and minimal upkeep. If your home already has metal accents or elements in its design, these awning materials may fit right into your decor:
- Aluminum – Affordable and lightweight metal with low heat absorption
- Copper – Eye-catching and anti-corrosion metal with low heat absorption
- Steel – Highly sturdy metal often found in vintage homes
Just remember—metal awnings are quite hard to remove. If you want a metal awning, make sure it’s in a reachable and permanent spot for easy maintenance. Similarly, every metal does retain some heat, so it may not work best for hot environments.
#3 Fiberglass
Combine metal’s sturdiness with the fabric’s price point, and you get fiberglass. This modern material is a type of plastic woven with glass fibers, giving it extra strength. For those seeking a more affordable awning material than metal, a fiberglass awning is a great choice.
Due to its rigid nature, fiberglass is best for fixed awnings. You can choose between translucent fiberglass awning designs to keep some sunshine or UV-absorbent designs that block harmful rays.
Which Awning is Right for You?
Fixed with lightweight cotton? Freestanding with fiberglass? When picking out an awning, it can be tough to choose between so many options. Where to even begin?
At ALEKO, we’re ready to help you find the awning that works for your home. Start by considering these factors in your awning search:
- Location – First, where is your awning going? Awnings can cover nearly any area, including your doors and doorways, stoop, patio, windows, pool, or even outside your RV unit. While a door may need a fixed patio, your backyard deck may need a freestanding cover.
- Functionality – What is your awning for? If the answer is weather protection, then durable designs and materials are top priorities. If the answer is reducing home temperatures, then sun-blocking awnings on your windows can help. You may also simply want awnings for decor—which is a perfectly fine reason!
- Appearance – That brass awning may look stunning, but it (sadly) may not match your home’s backyard. Make sure the awning material and shape you pick will match and enhance your home’s aesthetic.
Find Your Dream Awning With ALEKO
Awnings are an excellent addition to any home with outdoor space. By knowing their specific designs and materials, you can pick the awning that truly enhances your home—not covers its beauty.
At ALEKO, we carry the highest quality awnings to provide shade where you need it most. From luxury LED awnings to window covers, our awning collection has the right coverage for every type of home. Bring your shadiest dreams to light with our team’s help. Contact us for an estimate on your awning installation today.
Sources:
Fibreglass Direct. What is Fibreglass or Fiberglass? https://www.fibreglassdirect.co.uk/blog/post/what-is-fibreglass-or-fiberglass
Sun Sentinel. Trying to keep cool? Here’s how shade, ocean breeze help. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2013-07-07-fl-shady-breezy-temps-20130706-story.html
West Texas A&M University. Is metal a good heat shield? https://www.wtamu.edu/~cbaird/sq/2016/03/08/is-metal-a-good-heat-shield/
