3 Things to Consider When Choosing an Awning

Posted on: 9 February 2016

Awnings are a great addition to any home. Not only do they add to the aesthetic appeal of your home, but they provide you with a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. However, all awnings are not created equal. This is why it is so important that you choose an awning that is going to work for your particular wants and needs. To help you make an informed decision, here are a few of the different criteria you should look for when making a decision on which awning to purchase.

UV protection

One of the first things you should look at when choosing an awning is its overall UV protection. Since you are going to be sitting outside underneath of the awning when the temperatures are warmer outside, you want to make sure that your body is shielded from the harmful UV rays. Try to find one that can filter out at least 90% or so of the sun's rays. However, more is always better. The key is picking a fabric that offers as much protection as possible. This way you can enjoy sitting outside for longer without having to worry about damaging your skin from the sun.

Thermal comfort

Depending on what fabric you choose, the level of comfort you get is going to vary. While some will block out at least 70% of the heat, others will block out more. The more heat you can block out, the cooler it is going to be underneath of the awning. Every fabric is going to vary in what it can do. Spend some time going over the different options with the awning specialist. They can tell you what fabric blocks out what amount of heat. This will help you to make an informed decision when purchasing your awning.

Light color

When choosing your new awning, you have to look at the color of the material. If you choose a lighter color such as yellow, tan or white, the light that comes through is going to be brighter. However, a darker shade such as black or forest green isn't going to let near as much light through. This will make it appear darker underneath of the awning. You want to think about that when settling on a color.

By taking the three things above into account, you can make an informed decision about what is going to work in your best interest. For more information, talk to companies like Sunrise Shading. 

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