The arrival of the summer sun brings with it the need to install awnings. These help you against the heat as well as the bright lights. Primarily installed outdoors, awnings provide great functionality as well as aesthetic importance. With awnings installed outdoors and roller blinds installed indoors, you can keep your home or facility super-cool during the scorching summers.

Did you know: The global awning market is estimated to reach $11.04 billion by 2025.

What are awnings?

An awning, simply put, is an added layer of supplemental coverage that helps you bring under control intense exposure to the sun. While they can be installed both outdoors and indoors, they are more commonly installed outdoors. Generally, they are made using materials such as aluminium, vinyl, wood or cloth. Homeowners opt for them primarily for the energy savings they bring (more on this later).

Awnings gained a lot of popularity in the 1980s when Barry Levinson's blockbuster Tin Men was released. The movie featured Danny DeVito, a door-to-door salesman, who sold…you guessed it right – awnings and aluminium siding.

There are many types of awnings that you can install in your garden, window, terrace, porch or balcony. When deciding on the type of awning, two main factors must be taken into account: the morphology of the place where it will be installed and your preferences (size, durability, safety, style...)

Do you know the types of awning that exist?

There primarily are two types of awnings – fixed or stationary awnings and retractable awnings. Motorised awnings can be controlled with a remote control to which a sensor is added which allows the functioning (open or closed) of the awning in case of wind or sun. Let us now have to look at what options are available in the market.

Tent arm awning

One of the most classic types of the awning – also known as an articulated awning or simply extensible awning. In their case, the arms with which it is built allow it to fold over itself without much trouble. The profiles are made of lacquered aluminium which is available in a wide variety of colours.

Monoblock awning

It is a canopy practically the same as the previous one only suitable for large dimensions of up to six meters of line with a single set of arms. In the case of higher measures, more arms can be added.

It has all the advantages of the extensible awning, but with the addition of the monoblock system, you add more robustness without affecting larger installation and fixing dimensions.

Awning chest

A hood awning is an extensible arm awning with the particularity that its system works when closed, the fabric remains protected from the weather (sun, rain, dust, pollution...) thus providing maximum durability to the fabric and an aesthetic that is more discreet. This type of awning is perfect for humid and/or sunny climates.

Straight knit awning

Also known as balcony awning, this type of awning is the most recommended for windows and balconies. It has two lateral arms that allow adjusting the inclination of the awning with respect to the balcony or window, being able to remain completely vertical. This provides greater enclosure and helps protect it from rain and wind.

Verandah awning

It is a chest awning mounted on the metal profiles of the glazing and with motorised operation. It is a type of awning made to measure for the different terrace enclosures.

Vertical awning

This type of awning goes down two aluminium guides or stainless rods completely vertically. It is a type of awning perfect for side terraces or windbreaks.

Due to its operation, it is very discreet and has no invasion of space thanks to its verticality (as if it were blind).

Sliding awning

They are the types of awning that are installed in the pergolas. You can install an aluminium structure (pergola) with a canvas and with the possibility of installing curtains on the sides. The sliding awning has adjustable parts which can be installed after the installation of the structures, or be replaced or repaired when necessary.

Garden rain awning

Garden rain awnings are motorised flat awnings very similar to those used in the pergolas. Its fabric is waterproof, so it is especially suitable for rain protection. It is mounted on an aluminium structure with lateral guides.

Hood awning

Last but not least, we have the canopy awning. An instant classic. It is versatile because it can be installed in small windows. Its strong point lies in the possibility of being easily labelled, as well as being colourful and very decorative. It is a highly recommended item to be used in shop windows and at the doors of commercial premises.

They can be of a fixed type, which always maintains the same position, or they can be mobile and can be picked up.

What advantages they bring to housing

We will now talk about the advantages of why you should have an awning at your home. As the summer approaches, which promises to be even hotter (thanks to global warming) than in previous years, it is essential that you can go out to your terrace, without being burned by the sun's rays.

This will require a protective awning similar to a gazebo that breaks the sun's rays on the ground and allows you to enjoy the heat and shade at the same time.

1. Its main function is to protect the house from the direct incidence of sun rays, which can be very uncomfortable and dangerous for health.

2. They also help to limit the heat input, so they reduce the ambient temperature and, thanks to this, we can also reduce the use of air conditioning. This is also not only recommended for our pockets but also for our health.

3. The ability of an awning to guarantee and improve the privacy of the home is undeniable, without the need to lower the blinds and thereby limit the total entry of natural light.

4. By preventing the direct action of the sun's rays, they serve as a protective measure against wear and discolouration of furniture and carpets closest to the windows.

5. It is common to have the awning lowered when we are at home, to reduce the entry of the sun. However, it is advisable to do it also when we are not at home too, due to its level of thermal insulation. In any case, this will be influenced by other factors, such as the orientation of the window or the material thereof (for example, if they are PVC they will not absorb heat, while those of aluminium tend to heat up).]

Conclusion

Various kinds of awnings are used all the over households; however, they are not given the importance that they deserve. It must be noted that they are an essential part of the household, and with considerable care and use, they can be utilised more effectively.