An awning over a window or a patio provides shade without shutting out the view.
Transform your entertainment area instantly with a
folding arm awning. No intrusive posts are required as the cloth is supported on spring loaded arms.
Retractable awnings give you control over the weather on your own terms. When the sun gets too hot you can unroll the awning to provide instant protection and shade. An optional sun and wind sensor system can automatically extend the awning when the sun comes and retract it in windy conditions.
Awning manufacturers use jargon to describe their awnings' characteristics, quality, function and style. Some product knowledge will assist you to have an enjoyable shopping experience for retractable awnings. These simplified common terms will help you to find what best suits your needs.
Terms:
A folding arm retractable awning is an awning which can be rolled up and closed. Unlike fixed awnings and canopies, a retractable awning has no support posts. A retractable awning has a simple design:
o Frame - the skeleton of the awning; the frame is comprised of the mounting bar, arms, and roller tube.
o Mounting bar - the base of the retractable awning which is mounted in place; when the awning is retracted, the awning fabric rolls around the roller tube attached to the mounting bar.
o Arms - the part of the frame which folds closed at the elbow when the awning is retracted (rolls in) and opens when the awning is extended (rolls out).
o Shoulder - the joints on the retractable awning arms where arms attach to the mounting bar.
o Front bar - the extrusion at the very front of the awning frame.
o Hood - a cover which fits over the retractable awning frame and fabric; when the awning is fully retracted, the hood protects the exposed fabric, frame, and motor from the elements.
o Valance - an optional strip of fabric, usually a few inches high, which hangs from the front bar of the retractable awning.
o Rib - the cross bars of the frame which support the awning fabric. Not every awning style has ribs, since ribs are often used to create a shape to the awning frame; for example, lateral arm retractable awnings don't have any ribs.
There are many styles of retractable awnings:
o Folding arm awning - the most common, retractable awning style, consists of two or more arms, the front bar, mounting bar and the fabric. This is the most popular style for homes and commercial buildings; this is also the most scalable style, extending (projecting) as far as 4 metres without external supports.
o Pivot arm awning (also known as drop arm awning) has arms that move outward and down from the roller tube as they pivot from their hinge brackets. This feature allows the awning to be adjusted for the sun angle at different times of the day while still maintaining a view. Pivot arm awnings are mainly used as window awnings, extending only as far as around 1.5 metres.
o Vertical screen - a kind of retractable awning or blind which is mounted vertically so it extends downward. This style of awning has the mounting bar and fabric, but no arms since it simply "drops" down. This is mainly used to screen patios, gazebos, and other outdoor areas from glare, heat, rain, UV rays, direct sun, mosquitoes, and pollen.
Accessories available for retractable awnings which make them easier to operate include:
o Wind sensor - a device which monitors wind speed.
o Sun and rain sensors which monitor different atmospheric conditions and trigger the motor to retract or extend the awning accordingly.
o Motor - a device which automatically moves the awning; motors are enclosed in the roller tube.
Materials
There are two major categories of fabrics:
o Canvas - a natural fiber (cotton) woven fabric; canvas awnings are prone to fade, mildew, and rot.
o Solution-dyed acrylic - a man-made fiber which is woven into a lightweight, breathable fabric; because it is a chemical polymer, the fabric cannot rot. Solution-dyed means that the pigments are included in the fiber solution, which makes the fabric highly fade resistant.
Frame:
o Electrostatically powder-coated aluminum - a metal frame which is lightweight, durable, and rust-resistant; powder-coating is a method of applying pigment to aluminum frames.
Installation
Understanding a few terms about the positioning and installation of the awning can help determine the appropriate size and installation location for your awning:
o Mount - the way the awning is affixed to the building, such as a wall mount, eave mount, facia mount, or roof mount.
o Pitch - the angle that the awning comes down from the mount point to the front bar. Some folding arm retractable awnings have an adjustable pitch.
o Projection - how far out from the wall the awning can extend.
o Load - the stress put on the awning, from wind, snow, even the weight of the awning itself (dead load). Good quality retractable awnings can sustain wind speeds up to approximately 40km/hr.
o Pooling - water buildup on the canopy which can cause the fabric to sag and stretch.
