One of the primary concerns of homeowners and business owners is to maximize their building's potential. On the commercial end this means making sure the building is first and foremost functional and efficient. In many cases it is also important that the building be attractive, appealing to consumers, and increase their brand's presence. Homeowners have a similar set of priorities. We want our homes to be functional, energy efficient, and visually appealing. While branding isn't such a concern for homeowners, many people want their homes to reflect their personal tastes.
There are many ways to meet all of these goals, beginning with the initial design. However, not everyone is able to start from scratch with a new property or has the ability to undergo costly renovations. This means that we need to find ways to improve our properties without changing the structure itself. There are many ways to go about improving your building, from paint and landscaping to semi-permanent additions and awnings.
At Canvasworks, in Cokato, MN, we work with businesses and homeowners to help them determine how best to improve their property with an awning. In this blog entry, we’ll go over a few of the benefits of awnings for homes and businesses. Read on to learn more!
Curb Appeal and Adding a Unique Look
No matter which way you look at it, curb appeal is important both in business and residential properties. A restaurant or store with an attractive, clean storefront is much more welcoming to customers than one that is dirty or in poor repair. If your home is visually appealing it can reduce stress after a long, hard day at work, making it easier to relax.
There are many ways to improve the curb appeal of your property. You can change or add new landscaping, clean and repair the building facade and walkways or update the paint and trim. All of these improvements work to make your home or business more visually appealing. However, these options can be time consuming and, in some instances, you can be restricted by city codes and ordinances. A simpler and faster way to improve the appearance of your home or business is to add an awning to the building. Using entryway awnings can make your property appear more welcoming to consumers or friends and family. Window awnings give you the opportunity to brighten up your property's exterior and present a unique look.
Branding
This particular benefit doesn’t really apply to residential awnings; however, it is vitally important for businesses. When you think of commercial awnings you've probably noticed the wide variety of designs available. Fabrics in every color imaginable, eye catching graphics, and interesting shapes give you many ways to customize your building with an awning. Commercial buildings in particular can often look similar, especially on the same street. Using your brand's colors and logo on an awning gives your business the personal touch that stands out from the crowd.
Expand Your Outdoor Space
Space is often at a premium in both commercial and residential properties. As people become increasingly aware of the benefits of having outdoor space awnings are becoming more popular. This is because adding an awning creates an outdoor space far more quickly and usually at a lower cost than any other method.
In restaurant settings awnings provide shade and protection for diners to enjoy their meals. Particularly in northern climates, these patio spaces are often in high demand during the warmer months. Even during the colder months, they provide additional space for events with the judicious use of outdoor heaters and side walls.
Residential awnings over entryways, patios, and decks allow you to utilize these spaces during inclement weather. They provide shade on hot summer days as well as protection from wind and rain. If you decide to add screened side walls you can protect you and your guests from insects.
Energy Savings and Shade Benefits
In a study of 50 cities, awnings were found to directly contribute to energy savings by reducing heat gains during the summer months by over 50%. On west facing windows this number can jump to over 70%! This means less work for your HVAC system, saving you money in the short term and the long run.
Shading the interior of your building by using awnings increases the comfort of tables, offices, and other seating areas near windows. It also prolongs the lifespan of your interior by protecting it from sun fading. Providing shade by installing an awning on a deck or patio ensures you can use the space on even the hottest of summer days.
Interested in Adding an Awning to Your Building?
If you’re considering updating your building with a fabric awning give us a call. We're happy to help walk you through the benefits of adding an awning to your business or home. If you currently have a building awning and are looking to update we can recover your existing awning as well.
All of our custom awnings come with a five-year warranty because you’re guaranteed to enjoy them for many years to come. To find out more about our beautiful awning designs, visit our gallery. Speak with a member of our team by calling us at 320-559-0165 or contact us on the web to discuss your awning needs.