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Accenting your Outdoor Dining Area

8/30/2016

The look of an outdoor dining area is just as important as the aesthetics of the inside of your business or home. Sometimes we forget that accents and decorations make a difference in the ambience and experience your guests have while enjoying their meals.

It’s easy enough to set up some tables and chairs, throw an awning or other shade structure over the area and be done with it. But remember, that’s just the beginning. The outdoor dining area can include some pretty creative decorations including:

Curtains
Drop Screens
Pergolas (these are excellent for outdoor dining areas because you can grow plants and vines on them and really enhance your guest’s experience).

Plants/Flowers
- Think large potted floral arrangements.
Accents like:
- Clocks
- Fountains
- Vases
- Artwork (statues, etc…)

Table Accents Including:
- Center Pieces
- Decorated Plates and Napkins
- Tasteful Plate Setups (Think fine dining).
- Table Cloths
- Chair Covers
Fire Pits/Candles
- Think either a central fire pit location or even fire lamps.
- Candles on the table or in candle holders can really light up the evening.

Using a combination of decorations and table accents, you can create an outdoor dining area that will leave an impression. Remember, the experience counts a lot toward a customer’s satisfaction and if you provide the décor and the ambience along with the excellent food and service, you’re set to do well.

Outdoor dining is a great way to generate extra revenue or impress your guests. Keeping the area decorated, clean, and beautiful is important. Don’t let the leaves build up or the dirt get into the nooks and crannies. And remember, keep the theme of your business in mind when you’re decorating, you don’t want your outdoor dining area to look like a desert while the inside of your restaurant looks like a European getaway.

Finally, keep in mind that decorating your outdoor dining area is a great activity for you and your employees. Getting them involved in the process is a nice way to include their input and show them you value their ideas; it’s an excellent team building activity.

Now that you know a little more about decorating and accenting your outdoor dining area, let us know how we can help you. For more information about awnings and shade structures contact American Awning & Blind Co. today. You can also visit us at http://www.americanawningabc.com. Or call us at 800-654-5933. Or email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

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Restaurant Awnings: Your Options

8/23/2016

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Did you know awnings come in different styles, shapes, sizes, colors, and are versatile? This is especially true for awnings designed for restaurants. We all know that outdoor dining is an excellent revenue generator. But, it’s important to remember that having the right shade structure is essential.

You might be thinking, but who cares what kind of awning I have as long it provides the shade I need? Well, while the shading is the most important part of your awning, that’s not all there is to it. There are options in style and function that you can use to enhance the outdoor dining experience for your customers. Remember, providing a memorable experience along with quality food and customer service will keep your diners coming back again and again. That’s why it’s important to think about your awning options.

Here are a few things to consider:

Retractable: when it comes to outdoor dining, you might want to consider installing a retractable awning, especially if you live in an area where there’s not a lot rain and the weather is nice. That way you can retract your awning in the evenings so guests can enjoy the moonlight, the stars, and the cool night breeze.
Skylight: this is a great way to keep your guests in a more solid enclosed area but still let in natural light. The skylight allows you to open up the skylight panel when you want or close it off during inclement weather.

Slide-on-Wire: this stylish option is great for restaurants in areas where the weather is great. The fabric panels literally slide on wires creating a beautiful pattern/design that amaze your diners. The panels offer versatility in how much you retract them; you could shade just half of your dining area or the whole thing, it just depends on your mood.
Drop Screen: this is a great option for any fixed awning. You can add these screens that drop down from your awning to provide the ambience of the indoors while still being seated in an outdoor area.

Shade Sail: this fixed option is also another stylish and unique shade structure for your restaurant. The shades look like the sails of a ship and when constructed in layers, are eye catching.

Truly, the options you have for an awning for your restaurant are numerous. Using a combination of drop screens and awnings is one way you can enhance your guests’ outdoor dining experience. Remember, ask your local awning shop what options you have.

For more information about awnings contact American Awning & Blind Co. today. You can also visit us at http://www.americanawningabc.com. You can also call us if you have any questions at 800-654-5933. Or email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

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Awning Frames: What you Need to Know

8/16/2016

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When you’re looking at an awning, you notice the beautiful fabric color and the shade it provides. But one thing that is critical to the awning is its frame. The structure of the awning is dependent on the frame and without a solid one, your awning can fall apart.

So let’s talk about the awning frame and what it’s made of and how it works. The awning frame can be made with various materials and are commonly constructed with the following:

Aluminum
Steel
Iron
Fiberglass

The frames are set up so that the specialty fabric – typically made of a polyester, vinyl, or acrylic textile – can be stretched across the top. Awning frames vary in function as well and can be stationary or retractable. Really, the type of awning frame you use depends on your taste, location, and needs. For example, if you live in an area with a lot of moisture you might want to consider using an aluminum frame to help avoid rusting.

Awning frames are made of several parts including the poles, screws, brackets, pins, latches, and other pieces. Remember, while the frame is sturdy and designed to withstand the outdoors, you still have to take care of it and inspect it from time-to-time. Awning frames are susceptible to things like:

Rust from moisture and humidity.
Damage from high winds.
Denting, which can occur if something hits the awning hard enough.

The frame is made to last and while it is the sturdiest part of your awning, it still needs to be maintained and looked at least two times a year. Remember to check your awning frame and awning fabric for damage. If your frame is rusting, you can have it fixed by a professional awning company. Or if you want to take care of it yourself, consult a professional cleaning or awning company first; after all you don’t want to damage the frame any more.

Keep in mind, inspecting both the frame and the fabric of your awning and cleaning them will help your investment last. Keep debris, dirt, and water away from not just the fabric of the awning, but the frame as well.

For more information about awning frames, contact American Awning & Blind Co. today. You can also visit us at http://www.americanawningabc.com. You can also call us if you have any questions at 800-654-5933. Or email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

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Shade Screens: Lighting, Style, & Temperature

8/9/2016

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We all know that shade helps reduce temperature and protect you from the sun. But, did you know shade is something you can utilize not only for protection from the sun, but for lighting and ambience?

For example, if you have an awning, you know that you’ve created a shaded area in your backyard for your family and guests. But, if you shrink that awning down and start thinking about things like shade screens, you now have the ability to control the light in your environment. For businesses, restaurants, and even clothing stores, shade screens are a great tool you can utilize to help add a sense of flare and style as well.

Here are some things to know about shade screens:

They are typically installed in windows of homes, offices, restaurants, and other buildings.
A specialty fabric like mesh is used as the screen.
Much like a curtain, you can control how much of the screen you have down or retracted.
They allow control over the amount of light you let in your home, office, or business.
They can be controlled with either a motor or a hand crank.

Remember, with shade screens, you’re also providing a method of temperature control. How might that be? Well, if you shade your window, you’re blocking out the sun’s heat and light; thus you reduce solar heat gain.

Keep in mind that you can also install shade screens in various colors and styles. You can use a hand crank system to add to the uniqueness of your clothing shop. Or you can have your screen created with a design that matches the ambiance of your business.

For more information about shade screens, contact American Awning & Blind Co. today. You can also visit us at http://www.americanawningabc.com. You can also call us if you have any questions at 800-654-5933. Or email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

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Accenting your Outdoor Dining Area

Restaurant Awnings: Your Options

Awning Frames: What you Need to Know

Shade Screens: Lighting, Style, & Temperature

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