Awnings are any type of extra roof or cover that provides shade and protection from rain. Awnings are very functional and can also be custom designed to blend in with their surroundings or to be bold and eye-catching. Awnings can be stationary, or retractable and include materials of cloth, fabric, vinyl, wood, and aluminum. Awnings also shade your windows and doors on your home or business to help with energy efficiency.
How Much Do Awnings Cost?
There is a large number of options when it comes to awnings in the materials, sizes, and accessories that you choose. On average, awnings can be between $1,400 and $4,300, depending on the options you choose.
Main Types of Awnings
There are three main types of awnings: retractable, stationary, and portable.
Retractable Awnings—The Most PopularStyle
Retractable awnings are by far the most popular style of awnings for any application. They are also the most versatile, and they are durable and long-lasting too. You can choose from a huge variety of fabrics in neutral colors, bold colors, and stripes. Retractable awnings can either be open or closed depending on the situation. You can open them to shield you from the sun and heat on a warm day, or close them to soak up some sunshine. You have two choices of operation including manual and motorized, in which you can open and close your retractable awnings with the touch of a button. When closed, the fabric rolls up onto a protective cassette at the top of the mounting area to keep it from fading or wearing as fast as a stationary fabric awning will.
Fixed or StationaryAwnings—Protection That’s Permanent
This type of awning is seen very often on commercial buildings over the doors at the front entrance, and over other outdoor spaces too. Fixed or stationary awnings are generally made of aluminum or metal for the highest level of durability. They are expensive, but they can withstand storms and bear the weight of water, snow, or fallen trees. They last for many years without any type of maintenance.
Portable Awnings—Great for OccasionalUse
Portable awnings are usually used on occasions when you will be having guests over and want some shady area to relax in. They can be called a pop-up awning, or they may be called a canopy tent. This type of awning is put up when you need it, and then when you are finished using it, you take it down and store it in a bag until you need it again. Portable awnings can be placed on a patio, porch, deck, or lawn wherever you wish for some shade.
The Different Types of Awnings
There are several different types of awnings from which to choose depending on where you will be using them. Most awning companies categorize awnings in the same manner so as not to confuse the different types and styles.
Patio Awnings
Patio awnings are the most common type of awning. They are mounted on the wall of your home, and when open, they extend out over your patio, deck, or porch area to give you shade and a cooling effect.
Pergola Awnings
Pergola awnings also mount onto the wall as patio awnings do, but they have a frame that is fixed in place. When you close a pergola awning, the frame is still intact even though the fabric is retracted. They have additional front support legs to offer extra stability over a patio awning that doesn’t have legs for support.
Freestanding Awnings
These designs don’t open and close as some other types of awnings do. They are a freestanding framework that can be placed anywhere with a patio awning top permanently fixed to it. The framework and the patio awning are generally sold separately, giving you a large number of choices in the colors you want for the fabric top.
Domestic and Commercial Awnings
Domestic and commercial awnings are very durable products of high quality. As a permanent awning that is fixed, they are used to cover large areas to keep them cooler, and covered from the elements of rain, snow, and sleet. They are often used in retail spaces as hospitality spaces and can be customized with graphics on them.
Vertical Awnings
As the name implies, vertical awnings mount at the top of windows and extend downward to cover the entire window, and not allow sunlight and heat to enter your business or home. Vertical awnings can also be used on the sides of a porch or patio area by mounting them to the top of a frame and extending down to the ground to make a private area.
Conservatory Awnings
Conservatory awnings are unique because they are mounted to an existing roof. The awnings provide shade underneath them, and they may be on the inside of the glass roof of the framework or they may be on the outside of the glass roof. Both applications can be operated by remote control for convenience and ease of use.
Get Awnings in Missoula Montanafrom Shaded Window Coverings
Trust the professionals at Shaded Window Coverings for all of your Missoula awnings. We take pride in our work and guarantee our products and services. We have over 10 years of experience in helping both homeowners and business owners with their custom shading system products. Contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation for your indoor Missoula window treatments and outdoor shading needs.
