You may have seen awnings in Western Sydney all around the town when visiting the shopping area, but did you know that these are also great external window treatments for homes, just like plantation shutters in Penrith, blinds, curtains or even security screen doors in Western Sydney? Awnings are usually fixed to cover a window from the outside, proving shade for the window and deflecting the sun’s harsh rays. Australian summers can he so harsh that the sun’s UV rays can damage your furniture etc if you do not cover your windows properly.

There are many different styles of awnings available on the market. These include:

·       Open type: These are the very basic style available, although they do offer good protection for your windows from the sun. These are ideal for the patio or terrace, and they are installed firmly to the wall or ceiling.

·       Box type: These types offer the best protection rom the sun, and like open styles, are fixed to the wall or ceiling. These are generally fixed under a box, which protects its mechanism from the elements.

·       Shade or straight drop awnings: These are similar to a shade and are fixed to the ceiling with holds on the floor as well. They provide maximum protection for your windows from the elements, including the sun, strong winds, hail etc, and are also ideal for creating an al-fresco dining area or entertainment area on the patio.

·       Drop arm type: These are easy to control and provide excellent protecting from the sun. You can choose to cover the window in part or in full, depending on your preference.

What are the pros of installing awnings?

As with all types of window treatments, these too offer many benefits to the homeowner. The benefits include:

·       It cools your home: They not only provide shading for your windows but help keep your home cool during the hot summer days. They can help reduce your energy consumption by a considerable percentage, meaning that you will be able to enjoy increased savings too.

·       Protects your furnishings: When constantly exposed to the sun’s harsh UV rays, furniture, carpeting, flooring etc can get damaged. However, with awnings, you can create enough protection for your interior and save your valuable furniture.

·       Wide variety: There are may different types of awnings available rom fixed ones to retractable., each having their own pros and cons, and of course different price ranges as well. So, you can choose something that best suits your requirement easily.

·       Helps you enjoy the great outdoors: Awnings on patios and terraces help you enjoy the outdoors even during simmering hot days, by keeping your environment cool and shady.

·       Wide range of material: These window coverings can be made using a range of material like canvas, fabric, vinyl and more, making them highly versatile and cost effective.

What are the cons of installing awnings?

Although there are many benefits, there are a few disadvantages that come with installing these too, such as:

·       Costly installation: Installing them can be costly, as they have to be securely fixed to the wall or ceiling.

·       Heavy maintenance is required: The parts of an awning, especially the moving parts, need to be regularly cleaned and maintained so that they operate smoothly. The fabric part of it can retain dust and dirt and even water sometimes, and will also need to be cleaned regularly so that they keep looking good.

·       Some repairs may be costly: Certain repairs, like those required for the moving or operating parts of the awning can be quite expensive and will need a professional to handle it.

·       They are not suitable for heavy weather conditions: Although these window treatments are great for protecting your windows from the sun, they are not really ideal for heavy weather conditions like storms, hail etc, and could get damaged in such instances, needing expensive repairs.

What to consider when getting awnings for your home

Before you decide on getting awnings for your home’s exterior windows, you will need to take the following into consideration.

·       On which level of the house the awnings will be installed.

·       Is there a good place to install them securely?

·       The size of the window or area you want to cover.

·       What kind of budget do you have for your window treatments?

·       Do you want manual or motorised operations?

These types of window coverings are generally made from fabric, and come in a range of colours and patterns. You can choose from many different options that will suit your home’s current design aesthetics.

How to choose a good supplier for awnings

Although many vendors of window treatments offer awnings, they should be purchased from a reputed and experienced vendor who can offer you the best awning solution or your unique requirements. Whether you need a fixed type, retractable type or even a straight drop awning will depend on your installation location and your needs.

When choosing a vendor, do some research to find the best in your area. Speak to family and friends who may have got awnings done in the recent past and can recommend a good supplier. You will also need to ensure that they offer maintenance and repair services, because if something goes wrong with your treatment, you will be in a mess if you don’t have someone to fix it for you.

Awnings can be a great addition to your home, increasing its curb appeal and value, but you need to choose wisely!