Wouldn’t it be nice to have an extra room 2 or 3 seasons each year?
It’s easier to do than you may think, and not very expensive. “Any homeowner with a patio or deck can expand the use of their home with the addition of either a stationary or a retractable awning,” says John Gallagher, Owner and General Manager of Gallagher Tent & Awning. “We have found many of our customers are pleasantly surprised when they add an awning to cut down on direct sunlight, glare, or even for cosmetic reasons.” Adding a covering to outdoor spaces, such as a patio or a deck, enables you to enjoy the space much more because direct sunlight is essentially eliminated. It is almost like having another room, but outdoors! For those people who think the environment has to cooperate perfectly, think again. Not only can awnings protect against sunlight and damaging Ultraviolet rays, it can protect against rain and if designed correctly, awnings can have accessories that block wind and keep out insects.
Awning Options
There are two basic options for using an awning to expand the use of your deck or patio. The first option is to install a retractable awning. Benefits of installing a retractable awning include:
- Blocking the sun (UVA and UVB rays) and rain
- Easily extending and retracting that can be motorized
- The width on your home can be from 10′ to 40′
- It can be extended from 5′ to 13′
- You can add a panel(s) for blocking sun
- And, to let the sun warm your house, just retract the awning
A retractable awning stays on your house year round. Just leave it in the retracted position during the winter.
The second option is installing a stationary awning. In addition to blocking the sun and its harmful rays, and rain, stationary awnings can:
- Be a veranda awning or fitted with screens
- Be built on top of a fabricated frame
- Have the frame custom fitted to match the needs of your patio or deck
- Be fitted with shades to increase sun blocking and privacy
- And, add screens to keep out insects and or airborne materials
“The value of an awning of this size and impact can literally change the way you live in your home,” Gallagher notes.
Awnings:
- Puts you in control of the weather on your deck.
- Protects people, patio furniture, flowerpots, lanterns, and more.
- Gives your children and pets a sheltered area to play outside.
- Helps prevent fading of indoor rugs, drapes, and furniture due to exposure to sunlight.
- Covers much more, and is more stable than, an ordinary deck umbrella.
- And, in general, allows you far more use of your deck or patio, under more conditions.
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