The New Dawning of Awnings

Add an awning to increase footage, style and functionality

As land prices rise, home lots shrink and families seek more living space, homeowners will consider making their deck or patio functional living space. Without the time, cost and mess of a home addition or renovation, awnings can add style and value to a home while providing extra space to enjoy with family and friends. An awning can complete your investment in a deck or patio by shielding you from the rain or hot sun while you enjoy your outdoor family room.

New trends this season have interior designers thinking beyond the walls and into the yard. “The outdoors are taking direction from the indoors,” says home improvement expert Lou Manfredini. “Homeowners are looking to their yards as prime landscape to create usable living space.” Outdoor kitchens and bars, alfresco cinema rooms and living rooms, and cozy sitting rooms complete with outdoor fireplace are moving onto patios and decks to create fresh new home extensions.

Awnings can echo the architecture of a traditional residence or complement more modern-style buildings via a variety of innovative designs. They can add drama and impact to an otherwise ordinary façade. And, they can add softness and color to any size, shape or style of home.

A new coat of paint for the deck, an array of assorted plants and flowers and a new fabric awning can give your outdoor space new life. With side curtains, stylish canopies can create complete enclosures that provide weather protection for patios while allowing the versatility of opening up the area when desired. Awnings can be customized to fit functional needs as well as style choices. Awning fabrics and frames are available in a wide variety of styles and materials, creating an unlimited array of combinations and accommodating all budgets.

“In addition to adding aesthetic value to your home, awnings are a great way to make your outdoor space more functional,” says Manfredini. “People want to spend more time on their decks and patios. There’s a big trend to create products that extend the amount of time you can spend outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.”

Enjoy your newly designed outdoor space when protected from the sun and gentle rain. Consider custom-made awnings and canopies, or sensor-controlled awnings that feature sun, wind and rain sensors that will automatically retract the awning, even if you’re not home.

For additional information, visit the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association (PAMA), a division of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) — the only international trade association committed to the awning industry — at www.ifai.com.

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