| Retractable awnings are a treat for the eye: | | | | which imbrues the dye color into the fabric |
| sleek, modern, stylish. Buying on a budget | | | | before it's woven, so the color is |
| has its own set of limitations - especially | | | | long-lasting and fade-resistant. |
| trying to find something with style. | | | | |
| Retractable awning frames are all simple and | | | | • Pneumatic machine sewing. |
| similar, seemingly making it hard to find one | | | | Pneumatic machines sew from the center of the |
| that fits your specific house or building | | | | awning fabric out to the edges. This method |
| with a "one size fits all" look. However, | | | | is much straighter than traditional sewing |
| even on a budget, there are many ways that a | | | | machines because it can sew the entire length |
| retractable awning can be individualized. | | | | of fabric at once. This is excellent for |
| | | | patterns because it ensures stripes are even |
| About Budget Awnings | | | | on both ends of the awning. |
| | | | |
| Basically, budget awning lines keep prices | | | | • TenaraÂ(R) thread, instead |
| down by offering fewer frame styles, usually | | | | of cotton or polyester. TenaraÂ(R) thread |
| only one basic style, having a smaller fabric | | | | is UV-resistant and tested in the Arizona |
| selection, providing standard sizes instead | | | | desert; it doesn't fray or break and is |
| of custom-measured sizes, and having | | | | guaranteed for the lifetime of the awning. |
| lower-quality construction, usually using | | | | |
| frames from China (with cheaper labor) than | | | | The second most visible part of the awning is |
| Europe (known for innovation and | | | | the valance, the strip of fabric that hangs |
| engineering). | | | | at the end of the awning. There are a half |
| | | | dozen valance styles, such as straight, |
| However, despite minor limitations, budget | | | | scalloped, or squared, which can change the |
| retractable awnings have a clean-lined and | | | | character of the awning look. Straight and |
| modern style that can work with almost any | | | | angular styles are more modern or work with |
| architectural style or era. And budget | | | | more minimalist designs while scallops and |
| awnings do not have to be low quality if the | | | | waves work with gingerbread and flourished |
| construction basics are covered: | | | | styles. |
| | | | |
| • A lightweight aluminum frame, | | | | Also, buyers can select their trim colors, |
| which is corrosion-proof and easy to install. | | | | usually from a selection of around 20 trim |
| | | | colors. Some manufacturers don't offer any |
| • First-grade plastic end caps | | | | choice on trim colors and preselect valance |
| which, unlike regrind materials, isn't | | | | trims for each fabric, so that fabric A |
| brittle or prone to break. | | | | always has trim color B. A better budget |
| | | | awning company lets you select the trim and |
| • Electrostatic powder coating, | | | | fabric independently, and that opens up |
| which doesn't crack or peel. | | | | possibilities for interesting custom |
| | | | combinations. |
| • Stainless steel mounting | | | | |
| hardware, which won't rust or bleed. | | | | From a functional perspective, accessories |
| | | | like motors and on/off switches make it |
| Buying a good awning is only the first step, | | | | easier to use the awning. Especially |
| though. The goal is to find a good awning | | | | practical are wind sensors with a time delay. |
| that is both eye-catching and harmonizes with | | | | This kind of sensor rechecks the wind speed |
| a home, something both functional and | | | | on a schedule (roughly every ten minutes) and |
| personal. | | | | will reopen the retractable awning |
| | | | automatically when the wind slows to an |
| How to Make an Individual Impression | | | | acceptable speed. |
| | | | |
| There are a surprising number of components | | | | And the last consideration is where the |
| to an awning: the actual frame, the awning | | | | awning can go. Over 90% of retractable |
| fabric, the valance, the color of the piping | | | | awnings are used over patios and decks, but |
| (or trim) along the seams of the fabric, and | | | | there are many other places to put an awning, |
| other accessories, like sensors and motors. | | | | which can create a completely unique, |
| | | | integrated appearance: |
| Even though there is usually only a single | | | | |
| frame option on a budget series, the other | | | | • Over windows and doors |
| parts of the awning can have significant | | | | |
| selections. Any good retractable awning | | | | • At side buildings for recessed |
| company can have well over 100 fabric | | | | entertaining areas |
| options, and they will provide fabric samples | | | | |
| (if requested). The biggest single visible | | | | • Covering narrow walkways |
| option for an awning is the fabric, and | | | | |
| almost every color is available, and | | | | • Over balconies and fire escapes |
| available in both solids and stripes. For | | | | |
| fabric, look for four things: | | | | • In a series of small awnings |
| | | | spaced over a large area for "patchy," |
| • Good selection. Color and, if | | | | controlled shade |
| it fits the style, pattern are key to making | | | | |
| an awning a part of both the house and the | | | | The bones of a budget retractable awning |
| general landscape. (The manufacturer should | | | | frame may all look the same, but everything |
| charge the same price for a striped fabric as | | | | that builds on top if it, from the fabric to |
| a solid fabric.) | | | | the way you use it, can be custom-suited to |
| | | | any home, building, RV, or trailer with a |
| • Solution-dyed acrylic fabric, | | | | little creativity. |