Right now, it’s all about saving a buck. However, sometimes saving a dollar now means spending hundreds of dollars later, and in the end, you didn’t save anything at all; you ended up spending more. That’s the case when it comes to professional awnings versus a store-bought or online purchased awning. 
There’s a difference in the quality, installation, and aesthetic of a professional awning over a store-bought one. You might be asking, but aren’t they made the same way? How big could the difference be? Well, you’ll be surprised to find out that there’s a HUGE gap between the two. Here’s a comparison list:
 
Professional Awnings    

• The Fabric won’t fade quickly. High quality, professional awning fabrics come with colorfast, anti-tearing, and ripping weaving, are water repellent, mold, and mildew resistant, come with more options for colors and designs, including valances and more. The fabric is also designed to withstand the elements and hold up in sunlight, rain, and wind. 
• The Frame is made with coatings and designs that make it strong, durable, and long-lasting. Frame options are expanded to include various materials like aluminum, polycarbonate, plastics, and other metals. 
• The Quality of the awning is superb because it’s designed, installed, and developed to match your home or business’ aesthetics, location, and weather conditions. The quality of your awning makes it last for years and years whereas a cheaper version won’t stand the test of time much less the elements. When you invest in a quality, professional awning, you get longevity, confidence, and more bang for your buck.
• ​The Design of a professional awning is rendered, calculated, and developed with all your tastes and needs in mind. The design is meant to enhance your building’s look and feel and add an element to your home or business that stands out and likely increases the value of your structure. 
• Installation of a professional awning by professionals last longer. Professionals properly measure the tension, weight, length, height, and more of your awning. They also render it to make sure it fits before physical installation occurs. 

 
Store-Bought Awnings

• Poor quality fabrics are often used in store-bought awnings and don’t last; you will be replacing your awning sooner rather than later which will cost you more in the long run. Some cheap awnings only last a couple of years or less. The fabrics used aren’t the best on the market and will tear, rip, or grow mold or mildew. Investing in a professional awning will save you all the grief and hassle of replacing an awning for years to come. 
• Flimsy frames and materials of cheaper, store-bought awnings can cause problems with your shade structure. The frame can break, crack, or worse, just fall apart.    If you install an awning yourself, you run the risk of damaging your building. You also run the risk of improperly installing your awning and thus, damaging it.
• Poor quality of store-bought awnings includes lack of instructions on installation, poorly constructed frames, and low-quality fabrics. The quality of store-bought awning is much worse than a professionally developed, designed, and installed awning. In the long run, you end up paying more for a store-bought awning than a professional one because of the replacement costs, repairs, and other issues that arise. 
• The design of a store-bought awning is fixed. You can’t change the colors, the style, or the frame. Whereas with a professional awning, you can have your design rendered and play with your options before you purchase.
• The installation of a store-bought awning is all on you. That means you have to know how to install an awning, what measurements, angles, and tools are used. Etc. If you mess up, there’s no warranty or policy or person to consult to help you.

As you can see, the differences between store-bought and professional awning are huge. If you invest in a quality, professional awning, you don’t have to worry about the details because your professional has done that for you already. You’ll have the confidence, support, and information you need to ensure your awning lasts with a professional, quality awning manufacturer and installer like us. For more than 100 years, American Awning and Blind Co. has professionally developed, designed, and installed awnings and shade structures in the greater Los Angeles area. Our projects cover home, office, industrial, and business structures. We also help you through the whole process, from design, permitting, architectural rendering, and more. 

​Call us today for your free consultation with our patio, awning, and shade experts. For more information about what we do and other shade structures, visit us online at American Awning & Blind Co. at http://www.americanawningabc.com. (Our California Contractors License is #999050). Or give us a call at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

Awnings and shade structures aren’t just for use during the summer. In fact, awnings can be used year-round in sunny and rainy weather. Professionally designed and installed awnings are created to stand up to the tests of time and the elements.
So, let’s talk about how and why an awning can stand up to the elements and the test of time. First, consider the fabric of your awning structure. Next, think about the frame of your awning. Finally, look at the awning as a whole structure designed to shelter you from not just the sun, but from rain and at times what the wind might be blowing around.

• Fabric: The fabric of your awning is made of a specialty textile that is developed to repel water, withstand the sunlight’s harmful UV rays, and stay bright and colorful. The fabric also protects you from the sun, inclement weather, and the random branches and objects that blow around in the wind. 
• Frame: The frame of your awning is also designed to withstand the elements. The frame can be made from aluminum, wood, and other materials. The frame is made to withstand winds – it shouldn’t fall down – and take the heat from the sun and the moisture from rain or humid weather. The frame is designed to last and stand the test of time. Keep in mind though, that as with everything, at some point, you do need to have your frame inspected and possibly replaced if there is damage, which can occur over time. 
• Structure: The awning structure as a whole is designed to withstand wind, rain, and sunlight. The structure’s design is created so that it not only stands firmly in wind but also in rain. When moisture collects, the awning’s angle lets excess water roll-off or, the sides of the awning’s frame have outlets to allow for water to drain away. The awning structure as a whole is meant to stand up to Mother Nature’s daily forces. 
• Elemental Forces: Protection from the wind, rain, and sunlight are what an awning is designed to do. Providing shade and cover from the sun and rain is the awning’s basic functions. The elemental forces are no match for a quality, designed awning that’s meant to last you for years. 
• Awnings and other professionally designed shade structures are created with fabrics and materials that are specially developed to withstand the elemental forces. Fabrics are made with colorfast technology so that the color stays vibrant even though the sun’s rays hit it every day. The frame is also designed to withstand wind and rain as well as heat and sunlight. Thus, awnings are perfect for year-round use and when coupled with other shade structures like drop screens, mesh screens, curtains, and vinyl windows, can be an excellent addition for any home or business. 
  

At American Awning and Blind Co. we help you choose the right awning for your location and weather needs. We’re an all-in-one awning company; from design, permitting, architectural rendering, and more, we help you every step of the way. Call us today for your free consultation. 
For more information about awnings and other shade structures feel free to contact us. For more information about what we do, visit us online at American Awning & Blind Co. at http://www.americanawningabc.com. (Our California Contractors License is #999050). Or give us a call at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

Take out is great, but it’s not enough to sustain your business during this pandemic so how can you increase your sales revenue during this COVID-19 crisis? One simple solution is to use your patio as an outdoor dining space. While indoor dining is not an option right now, you can still serve guests their meals outside. 
 
Patios are those smaller areas on the side of your restaurant that sometimes get ignored. You might have some plants growing there right now or it’s just an abandoned section of your building. However, now’s the time to convert that patio into an outdoor dining area. The patio, while it is smaller, can accommodate a few guests at a time. 

Cafés and smaller eateries tend to have patios versus a larger open area some restaurants have. The patio space can be designed to attract diners, spruce up the look and feel of your business, and most importantly, help you generate much-needed sales. 
 

• Patio Covers: The basic patio cover can be stationary and provides shade for diners. The covers are smaller in size than a traditional awning, but they can also come in retractable, slide wire, metal patio, and customized options. 
• Patio Shades: These shade structures provide a little more shade than a patio cover. Patio shades can also be enhanced with drop screens and other added features that make outdoor dining even more enjoyable. Patio shades, like patio covers, can be fixed to the building or you can create a pergola instead to shade your patio. You have a ton of options to choose from and it’s as easy calling your local awning shop to help get you started on your project’s design, permitting, and installation. 
• Storefront Awnings: If you have a small space in the front of your business that’s big enough for a couple of tables and chairs, consider installing an awning to create that outdoor dining space ambiance. These are different than patio covers and patio shades, though they are very similar. Storefront awnings are larger and can be printed on to showcase your restaurant’s logo or name. These are great because you can create an outdoor dining space that also advertises your business. 

 
Patio solutions for your restaurant is an excellent way to generate revenue during these difficult times. Creating an outdoor dining space that brings diners to your restaurant creates a memorable experience that your customers will want to come back to during and after the pandemic is under control. Don’t miss this opportunity to create your patio design and give us a call to see how we can help you.
At American Awning and Blind Co. we help you through the whole process of creating your patio or awning project. From design, permitting, architectural rendering, and more, we help you every step of the way. Call us today for your free consultation with our patio, awning, and shade experts. For more information about patio solutions, feel free to contact us. For more information about what we do and other shade structures, visit us online at American Awning & Blind Co. at http://www.americanawningabc.com. (Our California Contractors License is #999050). Or give us a call at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

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​The pandemic has hit every business hard. Even with takeout orders being permitted, restaurants and cafés are taking a huge loss. However, with outdoor dining solutions, the impact can be mitigated. Using outdoor space for dining can generate much-needed revenue. 
 
So how can you create that outdoor dining space? For starters, don’t just wing it and put out flimsy chairs and tables, make it an experience so customers will want to come back again and again. Remember, you still have competition, and standing out from the business down the street can make all the difference right now. 
 
Utilizing patio space, parking lots, and even opening an area that’s enclosed by drop curtains and awnings, is a great way to start increasing your sales. So where do you start? What should you be thinking about? Here are some things to consider and to do when creating an outdoor dining area. 

1. Convert a section of your parking lot and put out some sturdy tables and chairs. 
2. Contact your local awning company for industrial strength and quality canopies and awnings that are capable of weathering constant sunlight, wind, and even some rain. Remember, cheap patio covers as awnings, canopies, and other popup shade structures break easily, tear, and cost you more because you will have to keep replacing them. 
3. Convert your patio area into a dining area - if you don’t have a parking lot you can utilize - by installing a patio cover or awning to shade guests while they are eating.
4. Remember to social distance your guests by ensuring tables and chairs are six feet apart. 
5. Ensure your outdoor dining space is safe by blocking off a sufficient amount of surrounding area from cars and other types of traffic. 
6. Decorate or Light up your shade structure for nighttime dining which will dazzle your guests and keep them coming back for more than just take out. Remember, when people dine-in, they tend to order more. (Or at least that’s been my experience). 
7. Customize your Awning or Outdoor Dining Space by installing a shade structure that will wow your customers. 
8. Advertise your Outdoor Dining option by hanging a sign and call attention to your restaurant’s beautiful new addition.

 
For more than 100 years, we at American Awning and Blind Co. have installed custom awnings, retractable's, curtains, and shades for the restaurant and hospitality industry. We’re the experts in our field and can help you through this pandemic by working with you to create that outdoor dining area so you can get back to business and generate some sales. We’ve worked with restaurateurs, architects, designers, and contractors on projects all over Southern California. We walk you through the process of creating your outdoor project, from design, permitting, structural engineering, fabrication, and installation so you have peace of mind. 
 
Let us know if we can help you and contact us now for your free consultation with our awning and shade experts. For more information about outdoor dining solutions, feel free to contact us. For more information about what we do and other shade structures, visit us online at American Awning & Blind Co. at http://www.americanawningabc.com. (Our California Contractors License is #999050). Or give us a call at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

​The storefront is an important first impression, customer attracting component of your business. Dressing up your restaurant with signs, advertisements, and using a great color scheme are essential in your business’ storefront presentation. But did you know adding a patio cover, canopy, or even an awning can enhance the aesthetics of your restaurant and possibly increase your sales?

So, how can that work? Well, when you install a patio cover, awning, or canopy, you’re adding a 3-dimensional layer to your restaurant that attracts attention. The enhancement to your business is eye catching, attention grabbing, and sets you apart from the competition. Imagine your storefront with only window signs and the next eatery over has a beautiful canopy or awning that customers can sit under and enjoy a meal outside. Imagine the difference in look and feel and you’ll see, patio covers and awnings are worth the investment. Here’s some reasons to consider:

​So, now that you know a little more about how patio covers and awnings can enhance your restaurant, let us know how we can help you with your next shade structure project. Remember, maximizing your restaurant’s footprint to produce the most sales is a great way to streamline your business and stay profitable.
 
For more information about patio covers and awnings, feel free to contact us. For more information about what we do and other shade structures, visit us online at American Awning & Blind Co. at http://www.americanawningabc.com. (Our California Contractors License is #999050). Or give us a call at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com.