Why should you buy an Awning?
Benefits and Savings
Awnings rate high because they block direct sunlight. Usually made of fabric or metal, they are attached above the window and extend outward and down. A properly installed awning can reduce heat gain in your home up to 65% on southern windows and as much as 77% on eastern and western windows.A light-colored awning does double duty by also reflecting sunlight. Maintaining a gap between the top of the awning and the side of your house helps to vent any accumulated
heat from under a solid surface awning. If you live in a climate with cold winters, you will want to remove awnings for winter storage or buy retractable ones to take advantage of the desirable winter heat gain. Aesthetically, an awning mounted at an angle of 45 degrees is pleasing to the eye. Make sure the awning does not project into the path of foot traffic unless it is at least six feet eight inches from the ground. The amount of drop you need -- how far down the
window an awning should come -- depends on where the window is located. On the east or west side of the house, the awning needs a drop that covers 65 to 75 % of the window. Because of the higher angle of the sun, an awning on the south side needs to cover only 45 to 60 % of the window to produce the same amount of shade. In either case, awnings can block much of the view from a window. Slatted awnings allow limited viewing to help overcome this disadvantage.
Energy Savings
Awnings are also a practical investment that can slash your energy bills, as well as protect your furniture, floors and carpets from the sun's harsh sun rays. In a typical building, more energy is lost through glass doors and windows than through any other construction element. While window films and tinted glass will reduce heat gain and glare, awnings accomplish the same purpose--and substantially boost energy savings. Studies by the American Society of
Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers reveal that when the sun shines directly on south-facing windows, fabric awnings reduce heat gain by 55 to 65 %. For western exposure, the reduction in heat gain is 72 to 77 %
Practical Benefits
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Awnings are an excellent medium to advertise your business.
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Provide shade from the sun, and provide outdoor protection on rainy days.
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A backlit awning provides excellent night-time exposure for your business while at the same time providing security lighting.
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Also, don't forget how harmful the sun's rays are to your furnishings, art and decorations.
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Not to mention the well-documented health risks associated with too much sun exposure.
Factors
You will want to consider all angles when selecting awning. Size, Fit, Fabrics and Color selection all effect the energy saving performance of the awning. Size and Fit- The size of an awning is determined by its length, width and projection from the building to which it is attached. Other aspects of size include clear height, rise of roof and post or rafter spacing. These features are usually important to those involved in the
planning and review process Fabrics
Today's fabric advances have been fueled in part by improved synthetic yarns as the basis for many laminated fabrics, giving them greater strength and flexibility Coatings, laminates, and
top coatings are common methods to equip fabrics with protective qualities. Color
Color choice and types of material are important energy-saving considerations. Awnings with low solar-absorbing surfaces (white) maintain temperatures closer to the outdoor air temperature. As a result, air temperature under the awnings isn't raised appreciably. Awnings that absorb solar radiation (dark colors) may need to be vented to reduce radiation and heat build-up underneath the awning.
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