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Designing Tips for your Shade Structure: From Awnings to Shade Sails

11/23/2016

When it comes to choosing the right shade structure for your home, office, or business, it’s important to consider all your options and designs. Doing your research and talking to a professional is essential when it comes to finding the best fit. But, also remember, you should look at your property and see what would work for your building.

Here are some things to consider when it comes to the design of your shade structure:

Color: What color is your building/business? You don’t want to install a shade structure that clashes with your business’ theme.
Style: Would your awning look better with a scalloped trim? Remember, awnings come in different fabrics and styles that can accentuate the look of your shop.

Pattern: Sometimes patterns in the fabric of the shade structure can enhance the look of your business and catch people’s attention. Patterns can be tastefully done and created to compliment the look and feel of your business.
Size: Is your business’ footprint small? Large? Installing a shade structure that is too big for your business can dwarf the look of your shop. You want to be sure you install the right size awning that will not only shade customers and your building, but also make your shop look good.

Types: There are various types of awnings and shade structures. You need to talk to your local awning shop to see what fits your needs the best. Here’s a quick list of the common types of awnings/shade structures out there:
- Retractable
- Fixed
- Cantilever
- Drop Screens & Curtains – these are attached to the awning.
- Skylight
- Slide on Wire
- Shade Sail
- Canopy

Permitting: This is an essential part of the design and installation of your awning. You must be sure to consult your city or your association, or your landlord, about the permits you need to install an awning. Remember, every city is different.

Doing your research and finding a professional like American Awning & Blind Co. – who also handles the permitting process for you – is an important, if not essential part of designing and finding the right awning for your business.

For more information about awnings and shade structures, feel free to contact us at American Awning & Blind Co by visiting us at http://www.americanawningabc.com. Or call us at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

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November 18th, 2016

11/18/2016

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Outdoor advertising works. People notice signs, billboards, and graphics. In fact, businesses are investing more in outdoor advertising, according to the Outdoor Advertising Association of America. (OAAA).

In the second quarter of this year, out-of-home advertising revenue rose 4.1 percent, according to the OAAA. However, if you’re a local business, you might not be looking at billboards as a marketing option. You’re probably thinking of doing something more permanent. That’s where graphic awnings come into play.

Often, we forget that awnings are more than just shade structures. The versatility of an awning offers things like:

Shade
Expanded Dining or Outdoor Lounge Areas
Protection from UV Rays
Reduced Cooling Bills in the Summer
Marketing & Advertising Space

Awnings can be printed or designed on. The fabric is more than capable of holding your logo, company name, or other graphic. In fact, it’s an excellent way to advertise your business without investing in monthly advertising costs. The graphic awning you use is a permanent fixture and doesn’t need to be repurchased every month. Remember, awnings last for years when taken care of properly.

Graphic awnings also set your business apart from others by adding that extra level of sophistication or flare that people notice when they’re driving or walking by. If you own a restaurant or shop, a graphic awning provides more than just advertising, it’s a chance to expand your footprint by adding extra dining seats, lounge areas, and outdoor racks for shoppers to browse, all while being in the shade.

Keep in mind, graphic awnings are unique in the way they are created and finding the right professional with the experience you need to help design and install your shade structure is essential. So, remember to do your due diligence and research your options. A graphic awning installation requires detailed attention and the right touch. It’s also an investment that will help increase your sales or at the very least, visibility for your business.

For more information about awnings and graphics for your shade structure, feel free to contact us at American Awning & Blind Co by visiting us at http://www.americanawningabc.com. Or call us at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

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Backyard Activities for the Fall Season: Some Ideas

11/9/2016

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Fall is here and the weather is nice and cool in Southern California. Winter is around the corner so enjoying these last few days of good weather should be a breeze. Below are some tips for some fun backyard activities.

Pile of Leaves: gather up all those fallen leaves and make a pile that your kids or pets can jump in and enjoy.
Fire Pit & Smores: get one of those fire-safety approved pits from your local store and have a nice evening roasting marshmallows and making some memories while eating some smores. (Keep in mind, don’t have a fire under your awning, make sure your fire pit is placed away from your shade structure).
Lantern Lit Dinners: take the family outside for a nice lantern lit dinner. Install some hanging lanterns, a string of lights, or other types of lighting around your backyard table and enjoy a nice meal with your loved ones. If you have an awning installed, you can string up those lights on the shade structure and create a fun and wonderful ambiance for you and your family.
Sports: play soccer, football, mini-golf, croquet, or whatever comes to your mind.
Table Games: try setting up a ping pong table, foosball table, or play some board games. You can have your fire pit roaring while the kids play some games and you sip on a nice cup of hot cocoa.
Crafts: try doing some outdoor crafts like decorating your trees or rocks to look like animals or other fun things.
Tree House: if you have the space and the right tree, build a tree house for the kids to play and lounge in.

Fall is a great time to spend with your family and enjoy doing some fun backyard activities with. The things you can do range from the above list to what your imagination and safety limits.

And remember, having an awning installed is a great way to provide a backyard area for your family to lounge in and enjoy during the summer, fall, winter, or spring.

For more information about awnings and patio covers, feel free to contact us at American Awning & Blind Co by visiting us at http://www.americanawningabc.com. Or call us at 800-654-5933. You can also email us at info@americanawningabc.com.

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Designing Tips for your Shade Structure: From Awnings to Shade Sails

November 18th, 2016

Backyard Activities for the Fall Season: Some Ideas

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