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Retractable Arm Awnings - What are They?

7/21/2015

Retractable arm awnings are simple; they don’t need frames or posts for support. They also don’t crowd your patio or backyard space.

Retractable Awning

Retractable arm awnings hang off the side of your home or building using tension arms and a torsion bar that is fitted into wall brackets. The weight of the awning is spread across the width of the wall it is fitted to.

Retractable arm awnings shouldn’t be confused with shade sails which use poles and frames, usually are built to stay up year round, and are not typically fixed to a wall. In fact, retractable awnings use either a hand crank or a motor so that you can control it and take it down whenever you want. (Today, most retractable awnings are motorized).

So what are some of the benefits of using a retractable awning? Some advantages of using this type of awning include:

Versatility: you can retract or expand your awning for shade or sunlight as you please or during inclement weather.
Space: this type of awning doesn’t need posts or frames to hold it up so your patio or backyard has more open space for your family and guests to enjoy.
Creative Aesthetics and Utility: you can use different colors and types of fabrics and even add LED lighting, heaters, or drop valances for added effects.

Remember, not every home is designed the same which means the type of awning you use – whether it’s fixed, retractable, or a slide-on-wire product – should be designed to fit your home’s theme. Consulting with design experts and professionals can help you pick the right awning.

Retractable Awning

For more information and types of retractable awnings visit http://www.americanawningabc.com/retractable-arm-awnings.html.

Also if you have any questions about retractable arm awnings, feel free to contact us at www.americanawningabc.com. Or call us at 800-654-5933. Or email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

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Slide on Wire Canopies and Awnings - What are They?

7/17/2015

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You’ve probably seen these stylish alternatives to patio covers on your neighbor’s or friend’s house. But do you know what they really are?

Slide on Wire Awnings Attached to a Home

A slide on wire canopy is basically a shade structure made of fabric panels using cable and hardware clips. The panels are installed with a swale-like design. The slide on wire application gives the homeowner the ability to control how much shade or sunlight the backyard gets by simply retracting the panels as needed.

Also, the slide on wire construction allows you to unclip the panels and clean and store them when not in use. Slide on Wire Awnings can be made with traditional awning fabric such as Sunbrella, or mesh fabrics that allow more sunlight to pass through.

These awnings can also be attached to a building, pre-existing trellis, or made with a freestanding frame.

Slide on Wire Awnings with a Freestanding Frame

Slide on Wire Awnings Attached to a Trellis and Home

The color of the fabrics can also vary. You can install different shades for each panel set creating a beautiful design for your backyard. For businesses, this also means adding an aesthetically pleasing look to your lounge or dining area; it’s a great way to impress customers. You can even install curtains to hang off horizontal poles to add an even more intimate element to your guests dining experience. (See image below).

Slide on Wire Awnings and Decorative Curtaions

So how do these slide on wire products differ from a traditional patio cover or awning? Here’s a basic rundown of what slide on wire canopies can do:

Allows light through the swale-design
Retractable; makes it versatile and flexible allowing for control of how much shade or sunlight comes through
Easier cleaning and storage because panels can be unclipped
Aesthetically and unique designs using different fabric panel colors

Slide on Wire Awnings Suspended Between Two Buildings

Now that you know what slide on wire canopies/awnings are, let us know how we can help you on your next outdoor project and visit us at
http://www.americanawningabc.com/slide-on-wire-awnings.html.

Also if you have any questions about slide on wire applications, feel free to contact us at www.americanawningabc.com. Or call us at 800-654-5933. Or email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

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The History of the Awning

7/8/2015

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The awning; it’s been around since ancient Egyptian and Syrian times! Even the Romans used awnings in the Coliseum to protect audiences attending gladiator bouts and other festivities! The history of the awning is quite interesting and involves the evolution of the types of fabrics and frames we use.

Coliseum Awnings

Storefront Awnings

By the early-19th century, awnings became popular and many homes and businesses utilized these shade structures. Fabrics like linen and canvas were used and the frames were made from cast iron posts. Most of the time, these awnings were fixed in place. However, by the latter half of the 19th century, people could retract their awnings.

As technology advanced and specialty fabrics like polyester and vinyl started to be developed, the awning industry changed. By the 20th and 21st centuries there were more fabric options and frames were being constructed using aluminum and stainless steel.

Modern Shade Sail

Today, awnings are versatile and can be installed with vinyl windows to not only provide shade but extend a business’ dining or lounging area and a home’s living space. Awnings can be made with retractable wire and even created to look like a shade sail or structure using specialty fabrics that are now UV resistant, mold and mildew resistant, and so much more.

Commercial Awnings with Graphics

In fact, awnings can be printed on to enhance a company’s building or even created with different colors, shapes and sizes. This is a far cry from when the Romans used linen awnings on wood poles to shade their guests.

For more about the shape and size of awnings check out our Awning 101 page at http://www.americanawningabc.com/awning-101.html.

Now that you know more about the history of the awning, let us know how we can help you or answer any questions you might have and contact us at www.americanawningabc.com. Or contact us today at 800-654-5933. Or you can email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

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Awnings are More than Just Shade

7/7/2015

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So a lot of us think that an awning is just another shade structure. But in reality, it’s more than that. Awnings are a lot more versatile and creative than what we traditionally think of them being as. When you think about the versatility of the awning and the fact that it is an energy saving extension to your home, it’s quite interesting.

Retractable Awning for a Restaurant

For example, awnings can be made retractable or fixed, or created as a type of shutter system. They also come in a variety of specialty fabrics. You have choices. Awnings can also be great for your business and provide a revenue source by extending your dining area/space and adding more tables.

For businesses, adding an awning that you can enclose with clear vinyl – it’s like creating windows – can create an intimate, outdoor space that guests can enjoy. Also, remember, awnings don’t have to look like your early 1900s outdoor shop overhang; the awning has evolved to include a variety of shapes, sizes and so much more.

Drop Curtains for a Restaurant Patio

Shade Sail Canopy

Today, the awning can be something creative like a shade sail which isn’t exactly an awning but a kind of exterior architectural piece that not only provides shade, but an aesthetically pleasing adddtion to your building, business or home.

Also, awnings extend your home’s living area. Awnings create an outdoor living space that you can use for not only barbeques and get togethers, but for lounging and relaxing.

Retractable Patio Awning

So you see, the awning is a lot more than just something that provides shade for you and your family in your backyard; it’s a versatile extension to a building that can be:

A source of revenue for businesses
Space for advertising
An architectural addition
Shade
An extension of your living space

Now that you know more about the versatility of awnings, let us know how we can help you and contact us for more information at www.americanawningabc.com. Or contact us today at 800-654-5933. Or email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

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Retractable Arm Awnings - What are They?

Slide on Wire Canopies and Awnings - What are They?

The History of the Awning

Awnings are More than Just Shade

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