Window Awnings: Types Of Window Awnings For Protection From Sun And Rain, Fabric Outdoor Light Awnings And Other Options. What It Is?

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-18 12:09

Fabric awnings on the facades of buildings over summer cafes and shop windows are a familiar urban design. How pleasant it is to relax in the shade under the protection of a wide awning! Elegant fabric canopies are also installed in private houses - this is a quick and convenient way to protect a room inside and outside from the scorching sun.

Description and purpose

Awning is a fabric canopy, which is often placed on the outside of the building to protect from the sun . These folding structures are installed over window openings, balconies, on open verandas and terraces. Some of them replace blinds - above the windows, while others act as a roof over an open area, shade and protect from rain.

The prototypes of modern models originated in Venice in the 15th century. There is a legend about the Marquis Francesco Borgia, who covered the window openings in his own house with cloth on a hot day in order to preserve the snow-white face of his beloved . The Venetians liked the invention so much that canvas awnings began to be used everywhere. The first products were bulky, unstable and fragile. Modern window awnings are more practical than those invented 500 years ago. Their service life is not a year or two, but several decades.

In modern times, they are also used as an element of design to add respectability to the institution.

Often, awnings can be seen in:

• Cafe;
• store;
• hotel;
• restaurant;
• outdoor tent.

Cloth canopies not only add elegance to the facade, but also attract visitors.

Excessive sunlight interferes with work: from bright lighting, the image on the monitor or tablet fades, eyes get tired. Often, home owners order special solar-protective glass units, use reflective and light-shielding elements. A window awning will create a shadow outside the room and prevent the glass and frame from overheating.

For a house, structures are used:

• above the windows;
• over balconies;
• above the front door;
• on a terrace or veranda;
• in the patio.

Awnings on the balcony and above the south-facing windows, unlike thick curtains, will not block the view from the room . The marquise will create a shadow not only in the room, but also along the facade. It retains 90% of the light and reduces overheating by more than 10 ° C not only of the frame, but also of the walls. The fabric does not heat up under bright rays.

It is safe to rest on a terrace with such an awning even in summer rain . The rubberized awning can withstand about 56 liters of water for an hour: it is important to set the angle of inclination at least 15 ° so that rainwater flows down and does not accumulate in folds. Withstands awning and wind up to 14 m / s.

After a shower, the cloth part is dried.

Features of the species

There are mechanical and electrical types of outdoor awnings. Mechanical ones have a small removable handle that allows you to open and collapse the awning . It is an easy to operate and simple configuration model.

Electric ones operate on a drive hidden inside the canopy, they are connected to a regular 220 V network. The engine is protected from overheating and moisture ingress, controlled from the remote control, sensor signals are also received there . You can also fold it manually in case of a power outage, for this a special handle is included in the kit.

The sensors give a signal when it is necessary to expand or collapse the device . Sunny indicates when the sun is already high and it is necessary to open the awning. Rain and wind - when the structure can be damaged by strong gusts or rain and must be rolled up. Automatic adjustment will allow the control system to independently open and close the device depending on weather conditions, change the angle of inclination in the direction of the sun's movement.

Facade

The most popular are facade varieties. They are used in outdoor summer cafes, for decorating shops and hotels, as well as in private cottages. They often cover windows and balconies in apartment buildings.

The vertical awning is placed on the facades of office and residential buildings . Outwardly, it resembles a fabric curtain, perfectly repels moisture, reflects the sun's rays, and does not interfere with air circulation. The width of such structures ranges from 150 to 400 cm, the fabric is attached to an aluminum or steel frame. Suitable for huge windows and shop windows. Can be installed at an angle in any position and at different heights.

Showcase awnings are attached to the facade with a base, and additionally with special brackets - along the edge of the canopy. They are used to decorate cafes and boutiques. The display type is adjustable and static . Often, a logo or an original drawing is applied to the canvas.

Static options have the appearance of a cloth visor, lightweight and economical, protect from the sun and rain. This is an excellent choice for country houses. Adjustable on one side, they are attached to the facade of the building, and the other - to the bar protruding perpendicular to the facade. The angle of inclination of the bar allows you to adjust the height of the visor.

This variety is suitable for residential buildings, doorways, gazebos and verandas. Ease of operation and economical price are the reasons for choosing . The adjustable awning can be installed in a position from 0 to 160 °, which will allow not only adjusting the illumination, but also using the awning as a partition.

Horizontal

Placed on the wall using a single horizontal mount. Such an awning is indispensable in narrow areas: above the windows under the roof itself, above the veranda.

Retractable

Retractable varieties, in turn, are of several types.

Open

Install a shelter from the sun under an existing canopy or niche. In areas where, when rolled up, additional protection for the rollers and mechanism is not required. When folding, the canvas is assembled on a special shaft, additionally it is not closed by anything.

Semi-cassette

When folded, the mechanism is protected from adverse weather conditions both from above and from below. In this case, only the upper part of the fabric base is closed, and the lower part remains uncovered.

Cassette

The most elaborate and thoughtful look. In the closed version, the design does not allow moisture, wind, dust to pass through, the fabric part, rolled up in a roll, is stored inside a special cassette. Retractable mechanisms are securely hidden inside. The assembled one will not take up extra space, and if necessary, it can be expanded.

Awning baskets

They are also called domed. Unlike the types already listed, basket awnings are made on a three-dimensional frame. The simplest domed awnings have a triangular shape and outwardly resemble display structures, but with closed sidewalls. There is an option that is more complicated to manufacture, consisting of several frame tiers, on which matter is pulled.

There are semicircular and rectangular shapes

• Semicircular form domed canopies, reminiscent of the quarters of Chinese lanterns. Often used for windows and openings in the form of an arch.
• Rectangular baskets are more like the usual samples, which retain the volume of the dome, but there is a rectangular shape, traditional for the familiar model.

These beautiful models are recommended to be installed under the protection of the roofs of tall buildings. It can often be seen on the ground floors of restaurants, coffee shops, pastry shops.

For roofs of winter gardens

Installed on glass roofs in private homes, hotels, restaurants, office and shopping centers. The variant is intended for flat areas, sometimes with some slope. Functionally adapted to cover spaces of different sizes and configurations. Easy to install, allow you to change the level of lighting in the room. A special fabric allows the ultraviolet light necessary for plant life to pass through, but does not allow overheating inside the room.

Awnings will help complement the modern design of the room and provide shelter from the sun. They can be both manual and automatic. They are mounted on the outside and inside of the building.

Materials (edit)

For the manufacture of modern awnings, high quality fabric made of acrylic fibers with a Teflon coating and impregnated with a special composition against aggressive environmental influences is used.

The fabric material has the following characteristics:

• high protection against ultraviolet radiation (up to 80%), retains color for a long time;
• high moisture resistance, so it does not rot, stretch, shrink, get dirty;
• withstands temperatures from -30 to + 70 ° С;
• ease of care.

Popular brands

Markilux brand makes a canvas from polyester yarns. The exclusive Sunvas SNC material is a flexible and durable fabric with a variety of textures, easy to clean.

French company Dickson Constant produces fabrics that are resistant to fading. The canvas is coated with Cleangard's proprietary impregnation, developed on the basis of nanotechnology, which protects against water and dirt.

The manufacturer gives a 10-year warranty for the entire range of awning products.

Economical and eco-friendly Sunworker fabrics let in natural daylight, protect from solar radiation, maintain a comfortable temperature in the room, filtering 94% of the heat.

They are covered with a layer of PVC on both sides, and a special system of weaving of fibers makes the awning extremely durable.

Sattler fabric manufacturer produces fabrics from acrylic and PVC. Materials do not fade in the sun, are not afraid of moisture, temperature extremes, fungus, and are protected from contamination.

Modern technologies have made it possible to obtain fabric with aluminum pigments, which reduces heat transfer by up to 30%, as well as fabric with fireproof impregnation. There is a wide range of colors and textures to choose from . Smooth surfaces, matt and with a pronounced thread texture. Solid materials in various shades, from deep dark to soft pastel. Combinations of several tones are often used in the canvas.

At the request of the customer, drawings are applied to the fabric using the silk-screening method.

Operation and care

When choosing an awning, the user often wonders how to take care of the purchase.

The biggest harm is done:

• by the wind;
• rain;
• the sun.

First of all, one should proceed from the variety of the selected canopy.

When installing an open or awkward variety, it is recommended to place it under a roof or a canopy to protect it from rain and wind.

Foldable structures are equipped with mechanisms for unfolding and folding, therefore, they require maintenance. The device is adjusted, lubricated, removed corrosion and tinted if necessary.

The fabric cover also needs to be looked after

• Fallen leaves, sand, dust are removed with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner. It is advised not to allow the accumulation of debris.
• The fabric is cleaned with microfiber cloths with water or soapy water. Aggressive cleaning agents are not recommended. Stubborn stains are removed by means of sofa coverings, having previously tested them on inconspicuous areas.
• Dry in a flattened form.

With careful care, the awning mechanism and fabric will last a long time.