outdoor space Archives

Retractable awnings are an excellent addition to any outdoor living area. They provide a comfortable shaded area to relax and unwind from the sun, rain, and wind. But did you know that retractable awnings can also be used for much more than just providing shade? Here are some unique and creative ways to use retractable awnings:

Al Fresco Dining Area

Retractable awnings are perfect for creating an al fresco dining area. The awnings offer a sheltered area that protects you and your guests from the elements while enjoying a meal outside. You can set up a table and chairs under the awning and create a beautiful outdoor dining space that is perfect for entertaining guests.

Outdoor Living Space

If you want to create an outdoor living space, retractable awnings can help you do it. You can install an awning over your patio or deck and add some comfortable seating, throw pillows, and a rug to create a cozy outdoor living area. This is perfect for relaxing with family and friends or for a peaceful afternoon with a book.

Movie Screen

Another fun way to use retractable awnings is to turn them into an outdoor movie screen. You can attach a projector to the wall of your home or to a nearby tree and project movies onto the retractable awning. Set up some chairs or a blanket and enjoy a movie night under the stars.

Cover for Hot Tub or Pool

Retractable awnings are also great for covering hot tubs and pools. They provide shade and shelter from the sun, allowing you to enjoy your hot tub or pool even on the hottest days. You can also use the awning to cover the area around the hot tub or pool, creating a shaded space for lounging and relaxing.

Vertical Awning Wall

Retractable awnings can also be used to create a vertical awning wall. This is perfect for creating privacy on your patio or deck, as well as for blocking the sun and wind. You can install retractable awnings on the sides of your patio or deck and create a private, shaded space that is perfect for outdoor dining or lounging.

Retractable awnings offer a versatile and creative way to enhance your outdoor living space beyond just providing shade. They can transform your outdoor area into a comfortable, functional, and stylish space that is perfect for entertaining, relaxing, and spending time with loved ones. Give Awning FX a call today!

A retractable awning can be a great addition to any home, providing shade and protection from the elements while also adding a touch of style to your outdoor space. Whether you’re looking to create a comfortable outdoor seating area, protect your patio furniture from the sun and rain, or simply enhance the curb appeal of your home, a retractable awning can help you achieve your goals. In this blog, we’ll explore three ways a retractable awning is meant for you.

Enjoy Outdoor Living in Style

One of the main benefits of a retractable awning is that it allows you to create a comfortable outdoor seating area that is protected from the sun and rain. This means you can enjoy your patio, deck, or backyard even on the hottest summer days or during unexpected rain showers. A retractable awning can also help to reduce the temperature on your patio by blocking the sun’s rays, making it more comfortable to spend time outside.

In addition to providing shade and protection, a retractable awning can also add a touch of style to your outdoor space. With a variety of colors, fabrics, and designs to choose from, you can customize your awning to match your home’s aesthetic and create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces.

Protect Your Patio Furniture

Patio furniture can be a significant investment, and it’s important to protect it from the elements to ensure it lasts as long as possible. A retractable awning can help to protect your patio furniture from sun damage, fading, and moisture, extending its lifespan and reducing the need for frequent replacements.

By providing a shaded area for your patio furniture, a retractable awning can also make it more comfortable to sit and relax outside, without worrying about hot seats or exposed skin getting burned from the sun.

Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal

In addition to the practical benefits of a retractable awning, it can also enhance the curb appeal of your home. With a range of colors and styles to choose from, you can select an awning that complements the color and design of your home’s exterior, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to your property.

A retractable awning can also increase your home’s value by creating an additional outdoor living space that is both functional and attractive. This can be particularly appealing to homebuyers who are looking for a property that offers indoor-outdoor living opportunities.

A retractable awning can be a valuable addition to any home, offering a range of practical benefits while also enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space. Whether you’re looking to create a comfortable seating area, protect your patio furniture, or enhance your home’s curb appeal, a retractable awning can help you achieve your goals.

Caring for your patio furniture can be easy if you take some preventative measures, such as storing it indoors or under a cover when not in use. This will help to avoid needing to frequently clean or replace your outdoor furniture.

Water damage

No matter how well-made your furniture is, it will eventually succumb to damage if it’s constantly exposed to moisture. A cover can help reduce the amount of repairs or replacements needed by keeping your belongings dry and free from woodrot, metal corrosion, and mold growth.

Animal activity

If birds land on an uncovered piece of furniture, they might leave stains. Droppings from flying birds could get on surfaces and be difficult to remove all traces of. Other animals could make nests, create webs, or leave filthy footmarks behind.

Destructive weather

While they aren’t a cure-all, covers can offer some protection from damage caused by severe weather conditions like high winds and hail. With a furniture cover, the fabric will be more protected from storms and resulting damage.

Sun exposure

Intense sunlight will damage furniture over time by causing it to fade and break down. The piece will become more delicate than before and won’t last as long. Using a cover can help protect your furniture from damaging UV rays.

Covering methods

Products like tarps, plastic sheets, and specialized covers act as a barrier between bad weather and your patio furniture. They are affordable and effective but can be time-consuming to put on and take off after each use; in addition, they don’t offer any protection while you’re using the patio furniture. Awning-style patio covers would protect your belongings from UV rays, precipitation, animals, and wind with ease.

Our experienced team at Awning FX can help you find and install the perfect awning for your home. Don’t hesitate and contact us today to get started!

Summer has arrived, and with it comes increased home cooling expenses. It’s simple to use the air conditioner to beat the heat or sit in front of the nearest fan, but doing so may be costly in the long term. Here are some tips for keeping your house cool this summer while also saving money:

Install awnings

Awnings are a wonderful choice for homeowners who want to save money on air conditioning while still protecting their inside furniture from the sun’s harsh rays. You may save money on air conditioning while also improving the appearance of your home by utilizing permanent, retractable, or exterior drop shades on your windows.

Awnings come in a variety of forms and sizes, with portable, fixed, and retractable variants available. The latter has the advantage of being able to collapse in the winter to allow more light into rooms via windows and glass doors, lowering energy usage by boosting internal heat.

Install some blinds

In the summer, vertical or horizontal slat-type window blinds are more effective at preventing heat intake. During the winter, it’s hard to minimize heat loss through window blinds because there are so many gaps between the slats, but they provide flexibility in the summer since they may be bent. You can also limit glare, light, and solar heat gain by adjusting the slats compared to shades.

Shades and shutters

Exterior shutters and drop shades are available in a variety of materials, including wood, steel, aluminum, and vinyl. They’re most effective at preventing heat gain from the sun. Fabric or vinyl curtains are most popular, and the cloth or vinyl may have openings that allow you to view through the window.

Awning FX has been servicing the New York and New Jersey area for over two decades. We’re your go-to awning company! Contact us today and our experienced team can help you with all of your awning needs.

Gazebos and pergolas are appealing to homeowners, and they both improve the value of your property. However, there are significant differences between the two. It’s important to understand the distinctions between a gazebo and a pergola so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your home.

What is a Pergola?

Backyard pergolas are outdoor structures that are used to define and ornament a specific portion of your garden. Although pergolas do not have a solid roof, they may be covered with fabric over the top for extra shade and weather protection. They frequently include rafters or cross beams that run along the top rather than a solid roof.

What is a Gazebo?

A gazebo is a standalone structure designed primarily to provide shade and beauty to an outdoor environment. A gazebo is made of solid beams, a sturdy roof, and flooring. A gazebo also requires a strong foundation, which must be level.

What is the Difference Between a Pergola and a Gazebo?

When comparing gazebos vs. pergolas, the primary consideration is usually the amount of protection you require and how much room you have.

A gazebo is the more sensible choice if you want to use your backyard as an outdoor living room, relax in it, or even build an outdoor kitchen. You must think about things like how much area you need and how it should look overall.

A pergola may be used to draw the attention of visitors to a variety of locations, such as a walkway, garden, or even a jacuzzi section. They’re also an appealing method to blend two separate areas together by wrapping vines around them. Plant vines over them or surround them with bushes to provide the illusion of greater protection.

All kinds of restaurants can benefit from a commercial awning installation, no matter the size or location. Awnings are an elegant way to promote a business, provide a shady area for dining, and can even lower your energy costs! Here’s how your restaurant can benefit with the addition of an awning:

Bring in the business

An awning is one of the most important tools for any business. You may use custom awning designs to showcase your restaurant in a variety of ways and bring in more customers. Your business name, cuisine, and regular offers can be displayed on your storefront awning, which will entice customers to come in.

Keep your customers comfortable

When you have outside or adjacent to a window seating, you must ensure that your customers are comfortable. With an awning installation, your patrons can enjoy a warm summer breeze without the heat of the sun on their heads. In the event of rain, a waterproof awning can also give your customers the option to continue dining outside.

Keep you restaurant safe

Awnings can assist your restaurant in staying cool while also preventing your outside dining spaces from sun damage. The interior of your restaurant will stay cooler if you create a shaded area several feet from its entrances and exits. This will save you significantly on energy costs.

Awning FX has been providing services in the New York and New Jersey areas for more than two decades. We’re your one-stop shop if you need an awning! Get in touch with us right away, and our knowledgeable staff can assist you with all of your awning requirements.

If your home or business is in an area that gets a lot of snowfall in the winter months, you might be worried about how your awning is going to hold up. In areas that experience large buildups of snow over the winter, there is potential for a weak awning to give way and collapse under the weight of all that snow. Minimize the danger by purchasing the right type of awning with these useful tips:

Frame engineering

When considering which awning to buy, don’t just focus on the fabric. You should pay attention to the frame too. The structure is what the awning snow load will primarily depend on. Manufacturers will also be able to give you an estimate on snow load, which you can compare to the type of snowfall you receive in your area.

Pitch matters

Flat awnings are going to have significantly more snow buildup than an awning that has a smaller angle when it comes to the pitch. On the other hand, a high-pitch awning will basically let the snow slide right off to the ground.

Fabric choice

When it comes to leaking awning, your safety depends on the choice of fabric. Woven fabrics tend to absorb water and snow and often let it leak through. However other fabrics are designed to be waterproof. When fabrics absorb water from the snow instead of repelling it, they become compromised.

Awning FX is all about optimizing your outdoor living space and making it more comfortable. Contact us today and find out how we can make your home more enjoyable with our different retractable awning options.

Retractable awnings are a great addition to your home or commercial property, and can help you transform your outdoor space. If you’re considering getting a retractable awning installed on your property, you should know what type is the best option for you. Here are some of the major awning styles you’ll find on the market:

Lateral arm awnings

These types of retractable awnings are a great option for those who want a shade structure but don’t want to compromise on their building’s aesthetic. The lateral arm mounts to the wall and folds into the structure when you retract it, creating a shade structure that integrates with the architecture.

Slide-on-wire

Slide-on-wire structures are designed with a strong cable system where shade panels can either be extended or retracted in either direction. These retractable awnings are great when you want some shade on sunny days but still want an unobstructed view of the sky on other days.

Slide-on-track

These awning structures are similar to slide-on-wire canopies, in that canvas panels slide open and closed, and fold into pleats when retracted. These structures however use a track usually made of aluminum to provide shelter from sun and rain.

Tension shades

These types of shades are usually used over skylights, porches, and open-air patios. Tension shades offer shade from overhead sun thanks to their fully tensioned membrane fabric panels.

Sitting outside during the warm, beautiful weather is great. But the bugs? Not so much. Adding a screen accessory to your deck or outdoor living space might be the perfect option for you! There are a ton of benefits a screen enclosure can give to you and your family. Here are some of the best reasons to get one:

Keep away unwanted insects

Mosquitoes and other flying insects can make spending a relaxing day outside a terrible experience. A screen enclosure acts like a barrier, shielding you and your family from these unwelcome visitors without requiring any extra effort on your part. No more applying (and then reapplying) bug spray all day long.

Boost your property’s value

Screen enclosures are also an affordable way to add some square footage to your home and give it a little value boost. A screen enclosure will give you more elbow room, and it can easily be designed to fit the existing style of your home, creating an attractive addition with aesthetic appeal.

Protect yourself from the elements

Rough rain and winds can make even the most outdoorsy people want to be inside. A screened enclosure on a patio or deck creates a sheltered space, making it easier to enjoy the outdoors no matter what kind of weather events are going on that day.

Awning FX is all about optimizing your outdoor living space. Contact us today and find out how we can make your summer more enjoyable with our screen options.

While awnings can be retractable or fixed, both kinds need proper care and maintenance to stay in good working order. A regular cleaning can help protect your investment and keep your awning looking fresh over the years. Here are some of the best ways to care for your awning:

General cleaning

Some fabric awnings are small enough to fit inside a washing machine, but unfortunately most won’t. Before you begin washing the fabric, sweep off any leaves or other debris and check the manufacturer’s recommendations. Use dish soap in lukewarm water with a bristle brush, or a power washer on a very low setting. Also make sure to let it dry completely before retracting it again.

Paint

If you managed to get paint on your fabric awning, don’t worry. For oil-based paints, let it dry as much as possible and then use an oil or grease remover on the material. Then wash it with dish soap and rinse clean. For water-based paints, scrub with liquid soap, rise, and let dry.

Stains

Tannins and oils in leaves and other debris from overhead trees can stain your fabric awning. While it may be difficult to remove, treat the stain with a stain remover and let it sit. Then scrub and thoroughly wash it clean. You might have to do this more than once for particularly dark stains. If that doesn’t work, you might want to try a solution of ammonia and water or bleach and water.

Not all awning fabrics are cleaned with the same soap or techniques, and some materials should be coated with water-resistant and mildew-resistant solutions. It’s best to hire a professional to come take care of and clean your awning at least once a year.

Awning FX has been servicing the New York and New Jersey area for over two decades. Contact us today and our experienced team can help you with all of your awning needs.

Older Posts