Here’s a list of some of the top providers that supply awning parts worldwide: Carefree Sunblocker Shade Panels, Hangar Awn, Locking Pins, Permaloop, A & E awning handles (also make straps, rods and torsion assembly).  Some of the awning parts to consider are tension rafters, patio mats and rugs, replacement fabric, waterproofing spray, tie downs, awning handles are just a few of the important awning parts.

If you’re looking to hang anything off your awning, there’s a decent chance you can damage the awning or the valance if it’s not done with the right materials.  Adding a hanging lantern, wind chimes, banners or any sort of decoration can make a nice touch to your RV awning.  Using the right awning parts will prevent any damage and keep your awning from tearing.  Hanger Awn ™ offers 7 hangers for roughly $10 and they’re easy to use.  They’re durable, as well as flexible plastic tabs that simply slide through the utility slot of the roller.  By combining them with plated steel S-hooks, you’ll have the comfort of knowing everything is secure.  This is one of the most simple awning parts, but can end up saving you a lot in the future!

If you’re looking to make life easier by keeping the loop of your RV awning open in order to engage with the operating wand?  Then look no further than the Pull Strap made with PermaLoop ™ by AE.  They use an extremely flexible rubber insert that will allow you to easily engage with the operating wand by keeping the loop open.  When you close the canopy, the strap will simply flatten out.  If you have an AE System, it will fit all automatic roll up awnings.  For these awning parts, you can find them less than $5.

There are many awning parts that will make life easier, but the door roller by AE is great for preventative purposes.  By adding a door roller, you’ll keep the extended canopy from any damage as the door is opened and closed. It’s very easy to install as well and is placed on the RV door.

A travel lock kit is one of the awning parts that will keep your awning protected while you’re on the road.  This is in order to prevent the rattling while you’re moving.  The rattling can eventually damage your RV awning, so it’s important to consider a travel lock kit when shopping for awning parts.

Having a lift handle is one of those awning parts that aren’t a necessity, but once you use one you’ll never look back.  It will simply make your grip much nicer and in turn, it becomes easier to handle the awning.  They’re usually coated with a vinyl material and added cushion.  AE does make these as well.

As you can see there are many awning parts to help add to your RV awnings.  These awning parts will help maintain your awning and keep it looking new for many years.

We all want to purchase something that will last a very long time!  This is why high-end manufacturing and engineering are crucial.  The better quality, the longer it will last.  Many companies are so sure that they produce high-end retractable patio awnings, that they’ll offer a free warranty.  Always look for a warranty of at least 10+ years!  Nobody wants to get out and have to buy a new retractable patio awning every 3 years.

Choosing the right fabric is extremely important as well.  The fabric isn’t just for added looks, but you want something that won’t fade, will keep you dry and won’t rip.  I’ve seen many retractable patio awnings with all of these issues.  In order to keep your retractable patio awning looking new for years, look for awning fabric that has been solution-dyed and is made from acrylic fabric.  This will protect the color as it won’t fade due to the fact that the pigment is part of the polymer.  Acrylic is a woven material which is a breathable fabric.  It’s a much better option than vinyl awning fabric or some of the manmade options available these days.  Another added benefit is that retractable patio awnings with acrylic are more resistant to molding and mildew.

Many retractable patio awnings will eventually rust or flake over time.  Aluminum frames do a good job at staying clean as long as they’re powder coated, especially if they’re combined with Kevlar joints and stainless steel fixtures.  Look for joints and fixtures that won’t rust either.

Always check that the retractable patio awnings you’re interested in meet TUV standards.  Also look for Eurolab testing as these organizations test to make sure every piece of the retractable patio awning meets certain standards.  If it doesn’t meet their standards, well…. I’m sure there’s a reason for it!

The advantage of all retractable patio awnings is the amount of heat you can reduce from entering your home.  If you have a room facing south or west in your home, this is the best room to protect with patio awnings.  The American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers has said that by protecting these windows, interior heat can be cut up 77%.  This alone can save you up to 25% on energy bills!

Some may prefer a fixed awning over retractable patio awnings, but that’s just a matter of preference.  With a fixed awning, they’ll always be there and can block certain views at times.  In addition, there’s also no option of rolling back the awning and enjoying the sun from the protected part of your patio.

Now it’s time for you to shop around and see what’s out there.  There are many retractable patio awnings to choose from and once it’s all set up, you’ll truly enjoy the option of sitting in the shade or the sun!

An outdoor awning can be used in many different ways.  They can be used on terraces, balconies, patios, decks or even off of a trailer.  Some people even use outdoor awnings over windows or doors, in order to keep the sun from entering their home.  Retractable awnings have even become more popular as you know have the option to sit in the sun if you prefer and cover up when it’s raining.

Not all outdoor awnings are waterproof, so make sure you look for something that can handle both rain or shine.  Many consumers have a misconception that every outdoor awning is waterproof.  Most retractable awnings are actually not waterproof.  Always confirm they’re waterproof before making a purchase.

One of the more popular retractable outdoor awnings is the folding arm awnings.  Most of these are not waterproof.  The material is made so it’s flexible enough to fold up into a circular shape, when it’s not in use.  Since the material is so flexible, it’s easily penetrated with water.  Another reason the folding outdoor retractable awnings aren’t waterproof is for support reasons.  If water builds up and sits in the middle of the awning, it can get heavy enough that the arms will eventually snap.  It can also tear the material.  This is why retractable two arm awnings aren’t the best option when selecting outdoor awnings.

Besides being able to stay dry under your outdoor awning if it’s raining, there are more reasons why having a waterproof awning are a nice feature.  The waterproof outdoor awning can keep your outdoor furniture dry.  Even if your outdoor furniture is waterproof, at least it will be dry when the sun comes out the next day!  The awning will also prevent you from having to move the furniture every time it’s about to rain.  If the awning is strong enough, it will even prevent snow from piling up on your patio during the winter.  There are different options when shopping for waterproof awnings.  A 100% waterproof outdoor awning is the most effective way to go, however a semi-waterproof outdoor awning can do the job as they’ll keep you dry from a drizzle.

Sunsetter is a very popular brand making quality outdoor awnings.  They offer some convenient technology, such as wind sensor retractable awnings, manually retractable or motorized retractable awnings.  They can range from $120 to several thousands of dollars, depending on features and size.  Sunbrella awnings are also extremely popular.

With summer right around the corner, it’s time to find the right outdoor awning for your home.  There are many great options out there and this can be a fun project and investment in your home.  It’s a simple process to set up and soon enough you’ll be having your tea under your very own outdoor awning!

One of the best features canvas awnings provide is that they’re waterproof.  Since its woven extremely tight, it becomes resistant to water which is crucial since your canvas awnings will be outside.  While they protect you from the rain, canvas awnings will also do the job of protecting you from the sun!  Once in a while, you’ll find the awning to leak.  If there’s a leak, there are several sprays that can be used to add an extra layer of protection.

Having a waterproof awning is a great feature; however awnings were created from canvas since they were easily rolled and flexible.  With a metal or solid awning, you don’t have the option to roll up the awning.  Canvas awnings roll right up which make a great option for storing or moving the awning when needed.

I’ve seen canvas awnings in many different colors.  This is a nice option if you’re looking for a specific color to match the rest of your house.  There are all sorts or stylish colors and even patterns dyed onto canvas awnings.  I’ve seen all sorts of designs and there are options to match anyone’s taste.  The more common colors are black, navy, green, white and beige.  The lighter colors may require more attention when it comes to keeping them clean, however the darker colors may fade quicker due to sun exposure.

Canvas awnings are much lighter than most materials used for awnings.  This makes it much easier when you’re ready to put the awnings in storage or even if you ever want to move them around.  It also makes it much easier when you’re installing the awning or when you want to open the awning up and unroll it from the wall.  If you’re using your awning on an RV, there could be a noticeable difference between canvas and metal, which can actually save you money in gas.  Metals will add more weight to the RV.

The best news about canvas awnings is that they’re on the less expensive side of things.  So if something goes wrong with your canvas awnings, it’s not the end of the world and they can easily be replaced.  If the shade is damaged, all you’ll need is a new shade which can be placed inside the fixture.  This will prevent you from having to spend additional thousands of dollars because a branch fell on the awning!

Keeping your canvas awning clean is quite simple.  In fact, you probably have most of the supplies needed in your house already!  You’ll need to clean your awning a couple of times per year in order to keep it looking good.  Always clean both sides of canvas awnings as well.  It’s a simple mixture of half dish soap and half warm water.  Then gently brush the canvas and rinse after.

Hopefully this has helped you understand the benefits of canvas awnings.  It’s always nice to have the option of sitting under an awning on a hot summer or day!

Many home owners look for outdoor space when purchasing a home, whether it’s a patio, a deck, a yard or even a balcony.  Everyone loves to relax outside their house on a nice summer day, but nobody likes when it gets too hot.  Open spaces are known to absorb the heat, especially on a deck or a patio.  This is one reason house awnings are so common now.  Outdoor furniture and the wooden deck can be unbearable with out house awnings and nobody wants to relax on an uncomfortable outdoor space.  You can even have the best of both worlds if your budget allows for this by adding a retractable awning.  Now enjoy your outdoor space in the heat or even in the rain!

I briefly mentioned that protecting your home or office with house awnings can help keep your electric bills lower.  Allowing sunlight to penetrate into your home only causes your home to be warmer and can bring it to an uncomfortable temperature.  The sunlight is also terrible for any furniture or furnishings in your home.  It will cause them to fade and lose color, which creates a dull look!  If you have a nice sofa, I’m sure you don’t want it to fade, so adding house awnings will keep your sofa looking new for many years.  There’s always the option of lowering the blinds to protect the home, but house awnings will allow you to keep the blinds up but still keep your home cool.  Lowering the blinds will definitely make it darker in the room though.  A dark room isn’t as nice of an ambiance, so I’d opt for keeping the blinds up when guests are over!

When it’s time to install your house awnings, you’ll need to decide where you want to install them.  If you live in a house, it’s most common to see these window house awnings on the second and third floor, since the most sun light hits those higher windows.  However, there are also some advantages of adding a house awning on the ground floor of your house.  By adding a large house awning on the ground floor, you’re creating more space to hang out on a hot day.  It’s extremely simple to install an awning, even a retractable awning.  There are many different contemporary options to choose from these days that actually look great!

Since there are so many options out there, I always recommend you take your time and shop around.  Always look into the fabric of the house awnings as well, since you want to make sure they keep your home looking beautiful.  This is a great investment for your home and if you care for your house awnings properly (see awning cleaning above) they’ll last a very long time.

The first type of awning fabric is acrylic coated polyester.  The top brand for this option is Main Street™ Plus.  Acrylic coated polyester makes a great option for awnings.  There will not be any leaks and the materials won’t stretch.  There’s nothing worse than sitting under an awning or canopy and dealing with a leak.  There aren’t too many brands that manufacture this type of awning fabric (or at least as well as Main Street™)

Solution dyed woven acrylic is often found at marinas on boats.  This type of awning fabric is usually weather proof and the colors of the fabric will last for a very long time.  This material is also used for marine cushions and boat covers.  The recommended brands that specialize in this type of fabric are Sunbrella®, Awning-weight Outdura® and Dickinson Awning.  All of them offer great warranties with the purchase of their awning fabric.

Vinyl laminated polyester is recommended for humid areas and they do well against mildew and UV rays.  This awning fabric can also be used as a pool and hot tub cover or even for outdoor umbrellas.  Patio 500 Vinyl is the leading manufacturer for vinyl laminated polyester.

Solution-dyed acrylic coated polyester is usually made with bright colors and is a laminated fabric.  In addition to awning fabric, this material is used for boats, cockpits, t-tops and more.  Outdura Trio® is the only company to manufacture a marine fabric that is waterproof as well as breathable.

Polyester awning fabric is best suited for heat-filtering awnings, lawn and patio furniture as well as safety vests and more.  This material is easy to care for and cleaning it is a simple process.  This option is on the lighter side of protection.  Ferrari Precontraint®, Phiferetex and weblon all specialize in polyester awning fabric.

A quite popular option is PVC coated woven polyester.  This type of awning fabric is specially designed to resist mildew and soiling.  It’s also extremely durable.  This is popular due to its strong shade factor is offers.  If you’re looking for sun-protection, this is a great option.  Sunsure and Textilene offer several great options for this type of awning fabric.

The last option is vinyl coated polyester, which is often produced in the mesh form.  Since it’s made in the mesh form, it’s extremely breathable and lightweight.  This can be found used on truck covers, gym dividers, banners and even tent sidewalls.  Vinyl coated Mesh offers a great option here.

As you can see there are many different options when shopping for awning fabric.  Hopefully this guide has helped you understand the different options out there.  Before making any purchases, I always recommend collecting several different samples!  Always look for a solid warranty program as well.  Good luck!

A deck awning can really change the feel of your outdoor space.  With the convenient options available these days for a deck awning, you’ll have the best of both worlds allowing you to have the option of shade or sun.  There are many different types of retractable options available.  You can enjoy some rays when you like or you can have the shade with a retractable deck awning.

The first option for your deck awning is with a motor.  A tubular motor is placed directly into the roller and pre-wired.  When you’re looking to purchase a tubular motor, make sure there’s some sort of alternative in the event there’s a power failure.  You can also look into a manual option, as well as a motor for this reason.  Having enough power to run the roller is crucial.  A good motor for your deck awning should have close to 3amps of power.

If you’re looking to take convenience to the next level, then a remote control deck awning is perfect for you.  Remote controls to control the deck awning are available and can operate up to 75 feet away.  There’s also a wind sensor remote which can provide wind protection with remote control access.

Once you’ve decided on the type of deck awning there are some other important aspects to consider.  Do you plan on using a hood or roof bracket to hold your deck awning?  Roof brackets are usually made with a really strong aluminum held together with steel bolts.  Make sure to look for adjustable brackets since every roof has different angles.  If there’s no overhang protection, then a hood is usually recommended.  Hoods protect from elements and also protect the fabrics from building up debris and going bad.  A hood usually ranges from $150 to $600, depending on the necessary size.  The range of size for a hood is usually between 8 feet and 24 feet.

When choosing the color for your frame work, white is the most popular.  White usually matches any color.  You want to certain that you’re matching the window trim as well as the rest of the house.  I’ve seen other colors available as well.  You’ll also need to choose a material and color for the deck awning that matches as well.  There are many different options to choose from when having to select deck awning materials and colors.

A quality deck awning with a retractable option isn’t cheap, but it’s a great investment.  Expect to pay $1,500 to $3,500 for 8 feet – 20 feet respectively.  Always make sure to explore your options since there are many custom features that can be included in your investment.  Hopefully this has helped you while you search for a new deck awning and enjoy this investment once it’s complete!

Mildew is the first situation we need to handle in the awning cleaning process.  Mildew is unpleasant on the eyes and it can cause an unpleasant odor as well.  The mildew buildup is usually the end result of pollen sitting in a dark and damp area.  In order to prevent mildew from building up, each week you should take a few moments to hose down the awning.  This is the first step in your awning cleaning process and really simple!  It’s just a matter of getting out there and doing it.  Once you hose down the awning, make sure it’s able to dry out before you roll it back up.  It’s best to do on a nice clear and sunny day so it completely dries out.  I’d also recommend using some detergent on the deck awning occasionally throughout the summer, but make sure it’s not on the harsh side.  A harsh detergent can damage the material, especially the waterproofing on the deck awning.  If you can handle this part of your awning cleaning duties, you’ll keep it looking nice and new!

There’s nothing worse than looking up at a deck awning and noticing all the stains from underneath the awning.  These stains are usually caused bird droppings as well as some other factors.  Penetrating oils are a great way to solve this problem and are a must use when you’re doing your awning cleaning.  This doesn’t need to be done weekly, but you should apply a spray of oil such as WD-40 to the surrounding area.  Once you have rubbed the stain out, follow up with a rinse of water.  If there are any stains still remaining, then you can apply a mild detergent to the effected area.  Again, it’s so important to be certain you’re not damaging the deck awning materials by over-using the detergent.

Many people opt to use a power washer when they’re doing their awning cleaning.  Save the power washer for your car!  They’re too powerful for the materials of your deck awning.  The strong pressure from the power washer will damage and weaken the fabric by caushing the weaves to slowly open up.  Before you know it, you’ll have holes in the awning fabric.  So when it’s time for your weekly awning cleaning, leave the power washer in the garage.

A retractable deck awning is one of the handiest additions to any home.  They’re not too expensive, they can easily be installed and as long as you follow these simple awning cleaning steps, they’ll last a very long time.  It’s a very simple process, but it’s just a matter of applying the three simple steps mentioned above!

One of the more popular types of awnings that provide protection in all sorts of weather is an aluminum awning.  An aluminum awning can often be found placed above a window or just below a gutter.  This guide will share with you some important information you should know if you’re looking to purchase aluminum awnings.

By placing an aluminum awning over your window, the electricity bills will decrease during those hot summer months.  This will keep the sun out of your home, keeping it cooler.  It will also help to protect your furniture from any color damage and keep your sofa looking new for years to come.  In my opinion, a quality aluminum awning is the sturdiest option and will last the longest in comparison to the other materials available.

When you purchase an aluminum awning, you will usually have to do some handy work on your own, unless you have it installed.  It’s a pretty simple process putting together an aluminum awning, but before you get to ordering always take measurements.  Measuring the size of the windows or the patio in which you plan to cover should always be the first step.

If you’re planning on putting an aluminum awning cover on the windows, it can get a bit tricky.  Casement windows will require a special type of aluminum awning, since most aluminum awnings aren’t meant to fit casement windows.  I’ve seen aluminum awnings up to 120 inches, so if you’re looking for larger windows, there are options available for you.

When you’re choosing a color for your awnings, there’s a variety out there to select from.  Selecting a color to match your shutters is the way to go, so always get a sample before actually purchasing and installing.

If you don’t want to add these aluminum awnings over your windows, other options are building it over a free standing deck or a patio.  This is great year round as an aluminum awning can really handle any weather.  Many homes now have an aluminum awning as a carport to protect their cars from the bad weather as this is an extremely economical alternative to a garage.

If you want to cover your patio, but still want some sun to come through then a pergola is a great option for you.  These open-weave designs are usually made with plastic or wood and allow some sun to come through the weaves. It also creates some shade, so you’re not as hot and exposed.

I always recommend if you’re going to make an investment in your home, make sure you do it right.  There are many options out there available, so be sure to take your time and shop around.  Hope you enjoy your cool shade during the summer and lower electric bills all from your new aluminum awning!