Designing your Awning: What you Should Know

May 21, 2018

PictureStriped Spear Awnings


We all know what the basic idea of an awning is – fabric on a frame to provide shade. But, there’s a lot more that goes into designing and creating an awning. From the fabric, the color, the shape, to even the nuts and bolts, an awning is made up of various components. 

PictureShade Sail

 

​When it comes to designing your awning, knowing what it’s pieces are and how you can manipulate, utilize, and change each part to fit your needs, is the first step into creating a visual masterpiece. Here are some things you should know about awnings when it comes to design:


PictureDimensions of an Awning

​·      Shape/Style: Awnings have several shapes and styles from dome, arch, waterfall, spear, to straight, your options are various. Known what shape or style fits your business’ exterior is the first step in creating the right look and feel of your awning.
·      Dimensions: Awnings have 3 dimensions: width, drop, and projection. These three dimensions make up the total size of your awning and it’s important to have this down so that your awning doesn’t over project or is too wide for your building.
·      Patterns: Awning fabrics can come in various patterns including scalloped valances, multicolor lined fabrics, and various other designs. This is important to consider because the fabric is what attracts attention and if you use a tasteful pattern, people will notice. 

PictureStriped Retractable Awnings

​·      Colors: This is more important than one might think. Colors play an important role in advertising and marketing. Using a tasteful, complimentary color to your business and building can help drive customers into your shop. Think of the last time you noticed a nice blue or red awning with a beautifully printed logo that got your attention and you walked into the store? Choosing the right colored fabric is an important step in creating a stunningly, attractive awning.
·      Type: Awnings come in various types including: fixed, retractable, slide-on-wire, and other specially engineered pieces. Choosing a fashionable, eye-catching awning type can really help your business stand out.

​Awning design, as you can see, involves a lot more than just poles and fabric. Consulting a professional can help you in your endeavor to up your business’ ante and extend your outdoor dining or lounge space, or just create a piece of building art that will attract customers.
 
Now that you know a little more about designing your awning, let us know how we can help you with your next shade structure project. For more information about awnings and other shade structures, feel free to contact us at American Awning & Blind Co. by visiting us at http://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