Agile Awnings: Why Metal Awnings Are Great For Business

By Author: Michael Richman
Total Articles: 12
Comment this article

When you think of metal, flexibility usually isn’t the first word that comes to mind, but metal awnings are incredibly agile. Metal awnings come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, protecting shops, restaurants, office buildings and hotels from the harsh sunlight as well as snow, rain, sleet, hail and even hurricane-force winds.

Metal awnings have become an increasingly popular means of improving the energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal of shops, restaurants, and commercial buildings. Like their fabric counterparts, metal awnings offer surprising flexibility, with a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from. Not to mention, that in many cases, metal awnings more efficiently block harmful sunrays – both for business patrons and employees, as well as shielding products and furnishings from fading, discoloration, and warping.

And like a swaying palm tree in a fierce wind, metal awnings bend just enough to reduce air pressure stress and are likely to survive some of the worst weather mother nature has in store. That’s makes them amazingly durable, designed for year-round use and, specifically ...
... for aluminum, even remain lightweight. Add in their high heat reflection characteristics resulting in lower air conditioning bills, and you begin to appreciate their complete utilitarian benefit.

In addition to their terrific benefits, metal awnings are also made from a wide variety of metals depending on the requirements of the client. You can find metal awnings made from standard aluminum to the unconventional brass – a metal that looks like gold. Equally diverse are the look and designs of metal awnings.

Metal awning designs include shapes like concave, wedge and flat. These styles are most popular while the bell-shape, shell, or dome shaped awnings are usually custom-designed using steel. Metal awnings above doors and windows are supported by scrolls that also come in various styles like single, double or three point.

Although aluminum and steel are the most popular materials for metal awnings because they tend to offer the widest range of colors and they are most accessible and affordable, while brass and copper awnings are rare. And copper awnings, like the famous copper rooftops of Paris and the Statue of Liberty, turn a pleasing – and protective – green as the metal is exposed to oxygen and salt air.

Whatever the material used, metal awnings offer great protection from rain, snow and high wind speeds as they are very sturdy. Most metal awnings require little maintenance as they are coated with weather resistant chemicals during their manufacturing. Some can last up to 50 years! That said, copper awnings require a little maintenance effort if your long term goal is to maintain its original look instead of favoring its natural aging process.

The following are some examples of metal awnings made from different materials:

• Aluminum metal awnings are the most popular. Metal awnings are made keeping wind resistance and snow load in mind, so whatever the season, known that your awning is up to the challenge. And, if you’re covering up an outdoor restaurant patio, aluminum awnings can have polystyrene foam for added insulation.

• Steel awnings have a weather resistant coating and a rust resistant finish. These are popular for commercial use. Steel awnings are fabricated using metal roofing products that come in various colors and designs. Due to its added weight and rigidity, though, installation costs may be higher and will definitely require an installation professional.

• Copper awnings need to be custom-designed, and available in limited styles. They are used often in restoration of historical buildings as they maintain a natural, aged appearance, lending themselves to elegant designs. Just think of the streets of some of Europe’s oldest cities and even colonial sections of America’s oldest, including New Orleans, Boston, Charleston and many others. In each of these cases, historic neighborhoods and districts are lined with these elegant, utilitarian and branding wonders.

• Brass awnings are rare and available only with suppliers dealing in copper awnings. They are made with special tools and require special skills on the part of the awning maker. But due to its gold-like appearance, brass is ideal for older, stately looking buildings. These are buildings that call for an ambiance often no longer found in today’s modern aesthetics.

Metal awning suppliers offer prefabricated as well as custom-built awnings to protect your doors, windows, and patios from the elements. The wide variety available offer choices to complement any office building or neighborhood storefront.

For custom manufacturing of metal awnings for specific venues or buildings, it is best to hire the services of a reputable and experienced awning manufacturer and supplier. And, keep in mind that custom awnings are more expensive and take longer time to design, manufacture and install.

With experience comes a touch of quality combined with cost-effectiveness from the metal awning supplier. A well-known and skilled supplier will not only offer excellent services, but remain proactive in making your business a resounding success.

The author of this article is associated with Academy Inc., a company that has more than 100 years of industry experience in the custom manufacturing and installation of commercial awnings, canopies, and cabanas. For details about the wide range of awnings, including the excellent custom awnings, visit their official website.