Here in Wenatchee, homeowners like you enjoy getting to spend time outside. Unfortunately, our hot summer sun can be too much to bear. Luckily, there is an easy solution: Wenatchee custom awnings! Custom awnings applied as a window treatment can enhance patios, decks, and other outdoor living areas, providing critical outdoor comfort and protection from sun exposure. If you have been debating getting a custom awning but don’t know where to start, keep reading! Today, we share insights on choosing, customizing, and installing the perfect awnings for your outdoor spaces.
5 Benefits of Adding Custom Awnings
#1: Shade & Sun Protection
The first and most obvious reason to add custom awnings to your window treatment is to keep your outdoor spaces cooler and more comfortable. Here in Wenatchee, summers reach well into the 90s with little to no cloud cover. Due to this, spending time outside can become unpleasant under the hot summer sun. The shade and sun protection provided by Wenatchee custom awnings make an incredible difference. Not only does it give you a cooler environment where you can enjoy your outdoor space, but you and your loved ones are protected from harsh UV rays.
#2: Weather Protection
Shade and sun protection also benefit outdoor furniture and décor. Items placed under your custom awnings will benefit from additional weather protection, whether from the sun’s harsh UV rays or a downpour of rain. This, in turn, will lengthen the longevity of your items, providing more value for your purchase while decreasing your maintenance and repair costs.
#3: Energy Efficiency
Another incredible benefit of utilizing Wenatchee custom awnings on your home window treatments is that you can reduce indoor cooling costs by blocking direct sunlight. According to Energy.gov, “Window awnings can reduce solar heat gain in the summer by up to 65% on south-facing windows and 77% on west-facing windows.” Just imagine the savings you can achieve just by blocking that heavy sunlight from entering your home.
Additionally, if you have retractable window awnings come winter, you can simply close them to allow heat gain to enter the home, heating your home for free with the sun’s light.
#4: Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal
Beyond protection from the sun, Wenatchee custom awnings can enhance the aesthetic appeal of one’s home. Through thoughtful planning and design consideration, homeowners can complement property exteriors with stylish, custom awnings to craft a more desirable outdoor space. Whether they are paired with patios, decks, or other outdoor living areas, your potential to elevate your space is astounding. This will make your property’s design more cohesive and pleasing to the eye and lead us to our next point!
#5: Increased Property Value
Wenatchee custom awnings can increase the value of one’s property through boosted curb appeal and functionality. In today’s society, homeowners value their outdoor space as much as their interior. With more people spending time at home and hosting backyard events, any outdoor property enhancement that provides both beauty and purpose can be a valuable selling point should one decide to sell their home.
Choosing the Right Awning for Your Outdoor Space
At Blind Guy of Tri-Cities and Wenatchee, we believe every home is unique. From homeowner preferences to aesthetics to property considerations, there is no “one answer” to window treatment design. That is why selecting the right Wenatchee custom awnings for one’s space takes thoughtful deliberation. In this section, we will discuss the different awning styles, materials, and features, including retractable options and weather-resistant fabrics, to give you a better understanding of your options.
Fixed vs. Retractable Awnings
The first primary choice you must make is whether you want a fixed or retractable awning. As their names suggest, a fixed awning is a permanent structure, whereas a retractable awning can be closed, partially open, or fully open.
Fixed awnings require little effort since they are always in a fixed position, making them ideal for areas where you would never want them to close, such as above a doorway. However, since they are always open, they typically have a shorter lifespan and require more maintenance, as they are continually exposed to all the elements.
Retractable awnings, on the other hand, offer homeowners far more usability. Since they can be opened and closed according to weather and preference, homeowners can take advantage of their flexible use. Additionally, homeowners can close the awnings during harsh weather to minimize damage, extending the fixture’s lifespan.
Material Options
The next option up for consideration is material choice, with most homeowners selecting fabric, metal, or polycarbonate.
Fabric is one of the most popular material options for Wenatchee custom awnings due to its wide array of aesthetic opportunities and its ability to fold, which is a requirement for retractable awnings. Fabrics can come in a vast variety of colors and patterns, giving homeowners considerable control over the final aesthetics of their structure.
Metal awnings, while once popular, are somewhat out of style these days. While they boast superior durability and longevity, they can only be used on fixed awnings, can be noisy when it rains, and offer little customization opportunities. However, for homes with a modern or industrial aesthetic, they can add a unique touch.
Polycarbonate is a lightweight, durable material comparable to glass for custom awnings. It is also weather-resistant. Unfortunately, it can be noisy when raining and yellow over time, and it is a fixed installation, typically only used for doorways. While it may not be suitable for large outdoor spaces, it can be an excellent addition for doorways, shops, or garages that see a lot of use.
Manual vs. Motorized Awnings
If you have chosen fabric as your material, you have the opportunity for a retractable awning. When it comes to retractable awnings, homeowners have another element of decision-making to consider: manual or motorized. Manual retractable awnings use a crank system that must be powered by hand, whereas motorized awnings utilize a motor system that can be operated with a remote control.
Manual awnings are more adorable, easier to install, and have fewer mechanical elements, making them easier to maintain. However, they do require substantial manual effort to open and close.
Motorized awnings are far easier to use, as they can be controlled with a remote. This makes ease of use more practical for a wider array of users. Additionally, motorized custom awnings can be programmable; for example, they can close automatically if it gets windy or open at a specific time of day to prevent heat transfer into the home. However, motorized awnings are more expensive and require more active maintenance. Another cautionary note is that if you set your motorized awnings to open or close on a schedule, there is a chance that they could get caught on something, like a blown-in tree limb, that could damage the awning.
Factors to Consider for Wenatchee Custom Awnings
Size & Placement
Prior to making any decisions about your Wenatchee custom awnings, it is essential to determine the size and placement of your structure. To measure for your awning, you first want to determine the most desirable placement. From there, you will choose the projection by measuring the width of the space by the preferred distance you wish it to extend from the wall. You will also need to measure the height of where you prefer the structure to be placed.
We recommend that homeowners request a quote from their local installers, like us at Blind Guy of Tri-Cities and Wenatchee, to accurately measure product dimensions.
Weather Conditions in Wenatchee
Beyond the scope of your physical space, it is vital to consider the unique environmental conditions of your location. For example, here in Wenatchee, our summers are typically hot, dry, and mostly clear. Come winter, we experience freezing temperatures and an average of 9.3 inches of snowfall in December alone.
Due to this, for Wenatchee custom awnings, we always recommend selecting materials suited to withstand extreme temperatures and the challenges of Wenatchee weather to ensure the longevity and durability of the product.
For example, our partner Sunesta offers a wide range of awning fabric choices. Not only do they come in over 100 different colors and patterns, but their fabrics are mold—and rot-resistant, do not fade under direct sunlight, feature a UPF of 30 or above, and are recognized by the Skin Cancer Foundation through their Seal of Recommendation.
Why Work with Blind Guy of Tri-Cities and Wenatchee?
If you’re a homeowner in Wenatchee looking to upgrade your outdoor spaces, we at Blind Guy of Tri-Cities and Wenatchee are here to provide you with energy-efficient and stylish outdoor improvements. Whether you are interested in shade solutions for patios, decks, or windows, we offer expertise in custom awning solutions for homes and businesses. Our professional installation crew ensures a seamless and secure fit using only high-quality materials designed for long-lasting performance.
Looking to customize your awning for the perfect outdoor space? Contact Blind Guy of Tri-Cities and Wenatchee today for expert guidance and professional installation!