Working to Develop Your Home and Garden

Awnings can add colour and style to a home's exterior and provide needed shade for a deck or patio space. Awnings also protect windows from heavy rainfall, which can mean fewer water leaks around the window frame and less risk of water damage to the home's structure. When you're ready to shop for awnings for your home, note a few questions you might have about these pieces so you can determine the best choice for your home and for your needs in particular.

Is awning installation a DIY job?

Note that even lightweight aluminium awnings can be very heavy and cumbersome, and they can be difficult to manage when you're up on a ladder. However, if you do want to install awnings yourself, you should opt for solid metal awnings or cassettes, which is a metal housing that holds rolled-up fabric, and not fabric or cloth awnings that are stretched over an open frame. The fabric of an awning that is stretched across a framework needs to be checked to ensure it's properly stretched after the awning frame is installed, or it may sag and droop. This type of checking and adjustment is best left to a professional installer.

What is the difference between fabric and vinyl awnings?

Vinyl awnings are very durable and are less likely to become damaged in high winds or heavy rains, hail and the like. They are also less likely to sag and droop over the years, as the vinyl is more rigid than fabric.

However, vinyl awnings may trap heat under them, so your patio or deck might actually feel a bit stuffy and uncomfortable if you have a grill in the space, whereas fabric awnings allow for more air circulation. Fabric is also more natural than vinyl, so it may have a more attractive look and feel. Each material has it own pros and cons, so consider your space and needs in particular when choosing between the two.

Are glass awnings durable?

Glass awnings are a favourite for modern homes, where fabric awnings may look a bit out of place. The glass for these awnings is usually very thick and is made with specialty safety glass that will resist chipping, cracking and breaking, even when exposed to hailstorms and the like. Glass also has the advantage of easy fabrication, so it can be curved and shaped into just about any design; you can choose an awning that curves over the windows or a flat glass awning with a curved and wavy front,for something very unique for your home.