An awning is an essential addition to any home. It can be attached to any wall on your house and provides a decorative touch to your home as well as much-needed shade.
In fact, a well-positioned awning can even reduce the temperature in your home, this will save you money on your energy bill.
Of course, awnings are not the cheapest purchase you’ll make, they are an investment. That means you need to take your time choosing the right one. Fortunately, it is relatively easy if you consider the following first.
1. Manufacturer
The most important first step is to choose an awning manufacturer and supplier that you can trust. That means choosing a company like Sydney awnings which is well-established and respected in the area.
The reason this is important is that you want to invest in a quality product with a good guarantee. That’s more likely to happen from an experienced and reputable company.
If you don’t know anything about the companies near you then take a look at social media and online forums, this will give you access to honest opinions and quickly resolve which is genuine.
2. Color
Pale colors are much better at reflecting heat from the sun. That means less heat will get into the area below the awning or your house.
Of course, you’ll need to choose a color that matches the existing scheme of your house and garden. That will help to ensure the awning is a stylish addition to your home.
There are times when a dark-colored awning is appropriate, especially if the awning is offering rain protection and you’re hoping to get some warmth from the sun. Consider this before choosing your awning.
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3. Material
Awnings can be made from a huge variety of materials. Some of the most common are cotton, acrylic, canvas, and even aluminum. You’ll need to check out the options available in your area and find out the specific characteristics of each material type.
This will make it easier to choose the right one for your home.
4. Budget
Awnings are not cheap although there are cheaper versions available on the market. You’ll want to consider how much you can afford before deciding on an awning, this will prevent you from being disappointed.
Don’t forget that the material used, the size of the awning, and even the mechanism all make a difference to the overall cost. In short, shop around and you’ll get the awning you want for the right price. But, it may not be the quality you want, proceed with caution.
5. Mechanism
There are two main types of the awning, those that come with a crank handle and have to be manually wound in and out, and those that come with an electric motor. These can be wound in and out at the touch of a button. It’s effortless.
Of course, the electric version is more expensive. You also need to consider installation costs. A professional firm will install any awning for you.
But, it will cost more if you want an electric one. This is because it is more complex to fit and requires an electrical hook-up. That means you’ll need an electrician, as well.
Even if you attempt to install it yourself to save money, you’ll find the manual version is relatively straightforward, the electrical version isn’t.
Naturally, the electrical version is easier to use, making it a better choice for some households.
6. Size
You’ll need to think about the size of the awning. They come as little as 2m x 3m and can go virtually as large as you can imagine.
In most cases you’ll want it to cover a specific area, this will dictate the size of the awning for you. However, it is worth considering as this is the hardest part to change after you’ve ordered your awning.
7. Location
Finally, you need to think about where it is going. This ties together the size, color, and even the material.
Most people place awnings over seating areas to provide shade while you enjoy being outdoors. But, there is no rule regarding where the awning goes, you just need to decide before you place your order.
