Will Folding Arm Awnings Shield Your Windows from Sunrays?

Awnings are generally temporary or permanent roof cover tops peeking out of your homes, which help protect your furnishings and precious art work from harsh weather, fading and destruction.
They are available in stationary or retractable versions, depending on your necessity and can be installed in your front yard, backyard, sitting porch or picnic area, lending you a pristine and relaxed outdoor experience. Awnings define the external beauty and features of a house and can be easily attached to the border of a window, boundary of a wall or top of your ceiling. 

There are a variety of shades and materials to choose from, including polyester, cotton, vinyl, acrylic or canvas, depending on your taste and home décor. There has been an upsurge in the demand and supply of awnings in the market, with the increased importance being given to home aesthetics. Gone are the days of post-war, when awnings were displayed mostly in canvas stripes suspended by aluminium sidings. Today, the awnings market has undergone a huge revolution with regards to the types of material, shapes and accessories available to choose from.

Types of Awnings-The range of awnings available in the market today are endless. Usually, awnings have two types of mountings: fixed and retractable. Fixed awnings remain fixed to a horizontal or lateral arm, made of aluminium or weather resistant materials like steel, galvanized zinc, wood or plastic. Retractable awnings have the ability to retract and extend according to usage. These frames are attached to the facades by clamps, clips or brackets. These days, retractable awnings are in vogue and have been modified to be available in numerous shapes, as accessories to be attached to your patio, deck, porch or garden area.

Awnings are can be used for commercial purposes, such as in office areas, restaurants, cafes, galleries, exhibition tents and mobile shops. 

Folding arm Awnings-
We are about to discuss the effectiveness of folding arm awnings for protection from sunlight. The biggest advantage of folding arm awnings is that they provide us protection from sunshine, snow and rain, and can be folded manually or through a remote control operated switch as and when needed. There are a variety of folding arm awnings available to decorate your homes.

Besides attractive shades, one of the most important features that sets apart awnings is their ability to weather extreme climatic conditions like snow or thunderstorms. The biggest advantage of folding arm awnings is that they can be flexed in and out whenever you want and they do not need any beams, posts or frames to be installed.

While buying awnings, we must check their retractable speed, and the flexibility in their operation.

There are various varieties of folding arm awnings that can draw your attention-

1. Opening cassette Folding Arm Awning-  
These types of folding arm awnings do not need a protective cassette for the awning to roll back into, and can be kept open 24x7. They are usually made of sturdy metals like stainless steel or aluminium; or heat and water proof fabrics like acrylic and canvas. They are the most basic awning systems available in the markets.

2. Semi-cassette Folding Arm Awnings- 

These awnings usually have a top or cassette for the awning to roll back into after use when the shops or businesses close. This is the best solution to protect your buildings from sunlight and harsh weather all the time. These awnings are available in a smooth metal finish as well as coarse fabrics like nylon, acrylic, canvas and polyester.   

3. Semi-cassette Folding Arm Awnings-  Full Cassette Folding Arm Awnings-

These awnings completely enclose the awnings when not in use and provide full protection and shelter to your shops and the awning accessories. They also have a remote control option and automatic sun and wind sensors for more ease of use.

• Awning Materials- The type of fabric chosen for an awning plays a very important role in protection from external agents. Let’s take a look at some of the main qualities of awning materials used in residential and commercial buildings-

• Acrylic Awning- Acrylic awnings are available in different blends, from 100% acrylic fabrics and cotton-polyester blends, to polyester fabrics that have acrylic coatings. Polyester and acrylic awning fabrics are opaque and can easily block sunlight and rain. Acrylic awnings are not only UV protected, but also mildew and mold resistant.

• Vinyl Awnings-  Vinyl awnings are slightly heavier than acrylic ones, but possess a translucent quality that reflects sunlight. So it comes out as an excellent option for outdoor shades, pool decks, road side cafes and places where sunlight is scarce.

• Fibreglass Awnings- Fibreglass awnings are an excellent choice, when you have a low budget and do not have a definite color scheme in mind. They are both translucent and opaque, so can be purchased according to the necessity of light. Note that fibreglass has a huge advantage in hot weather and acts as a good heat resistant.

Folding arm awnings offer great options for your brightening up your outdoors and protecting your building. They block out heat, snow, storm and heavy rain; and enhance the aesthetic beauty of your property. They also act as energy savers, reducing your electricity usage during in the summers, by giving you shade. You can even get custom made awnings and accessories suited for the architectural beauty of your buildings.

Visit your local folding arm awnings dealer to get the best quotes and enjoy the cool shade.

Folding Arm Awnings Buyer’s Guide

Awnings provide one of the best ways to keep the temperature down in the summer time. These accessories are durable and great for protecting sunrooms, outdoor living areas, alfresco dining areas and other commercial areas like restaurants. There are many kinds of awnings available, with a wide variety of features. Selecting the right size and fabric is very important, depending on where it’s going to be placed. The awning type, such as retractable, standing or free standing needs to be given proper importance as well, thus helping you choose the right folding arm awning for your need. Concentrate on your specific needs like comfort, energy savings or advertising and you are sure to find something that suits your fancy.

Specialised Features of Folding Arm Awnings

Folding arm awnings come with a fixed frame, which consist of the square bar or mounting bar, roller tube and arms.  The mounting bar binds the roller tube where awning is retracted. When the fabric of the awning retracts, it gets hidden by the cassette.
When the awning rolls out, the arms of the awning open, and when the folds are closed at the elbow, the awning is folded in, which helps it open and retract. Other distinctive features of folding arm awnings are the front bar, which is actually the portion which extrudes from the front part; the elbow, which is found on the arm and the hood, which is stretched over the fabric and frame when the awning is retracted. A few retractable awnings have cross bars or ribs that act as a support for the fabric or decorative drapery.  The components made of aluminium are coated with powder to make it look good as well as increase durability.

Folding arm awnings can be operated manually or motorised. Manual folding arm awnings are more affordable, since a hand crank is used to open and close it. Motorised ones are naturally more expensive and also have additional features like wind sensors, rain sensors, remote controls and timers. They can be opened effortlessly with the click of a button. They are much more convenient to use over the manually operated ones.

A Guide Before you Buy

There are four kinds of folding arm awnings, so before you think about making a purchase make sure you know which one to buy for your specific needs.

• Cassette Folding Arm Awning- This is great for outdoor areas like patios and decks. It offers good protection for both canvas and arms.
• Semi-Cassette Folding Arm Awnings- This is great for those places where it rains frequently. The canvas is well-protected when it is folded and kept inside a chest.
• Standard awning- In this type of awning, the arms and the canvas are exposed to the open air when the awning is folded. This is best suited for mild weather conditions.
• Drop arm awnings- It is suitable for commercial areas like stores and restaurants. It is designed in a way where there are arms on either side holding it firm,to provide ample protection against the scorching sun and mild drizzles.

Consider these options before setting out to buy the right folding arm awnings for your home. Whatever your need, rest assured these awnings will provide the right degree of style and functionality to your home or establishment.