Bright sunshine and beautiful days, summer in the Tri-Cities is glorious, but hot! With many homeowners wanting to take advantage of Kennewick’s gorgeous outdoor environment, the need for shade solutions is growing. High-quality awnings offer both beauty and practical value, enhancing curb appeal while keeping indoor spaces cooler.
Today, we are sharing our comprehensive guide to the best awning options for homes in Kennewick seeking long-term style and functionality. We will cover popular styles, material choices, awning installation considerations, and how you can get started today.
4 Benefits of Awnings in Kennewick’s Climate
#1: Reduced Energy Consumption
One of the premium benefits of an awning installation is the reduction in home energy consumption. By placing awnings over doors, windows, or walls that receive a large amount of daily sunshine, you reduce the solar heat gain to the home and minimize your HVAC system’s power consumption. Not only will this help keep your home naturally cooler, but it will keep more money in your pocket.
#2: Extended Usable Space
While we love our Kennewick summers, the direct sunshine can sometimes be too much to bear. Awnings extend the usable outdoor space for patios, decks, and windows, allowing homeowners to spend more time outside without fear of getting burned. Plus, this isn’t just for sun, but for rain too!
#3: Increased Home Lifespan
UV exposure is one of the primary killers of home longevity, resulting in fading, cracks, and deterioration. When well-placed, awnings can protect furniture, flooring, and window treatments from the sun’s harsh UV light. This will increase the lifespan of the home components, giving you more value and resale potential.
#4: Boosted Curb Appeal
Speaking of resale potential, more homeowners than ever are prioritizing at-home features, especially outside amenities. An awning installation adds a polished, customized aesthetic to your home’s exterior, which can increase your home’s curb appeal and value should you decide to sell in the future. Therefore, you not only benefit from your awnings as you live in your home, but it is a long-term investment in your property that can reap benefits should you decide to sell later on.
Top-Rated Awning Types for Kennewick Homes:
Retractable Awnings:
Retractable awnings are one of the top-rated awning types for Kennewick homes due to their flexibility. Ideal for creating shade over patios, decks, and outdoor dining spaces, retractable awnings can be easily adapted to suit a homeowner’s unique preferences.
Available with both manual and motorized control options, homeowners can choose their level of convenience. With remote control access, they can dictate the position of their awning from anywhere. Additionally, retractable motorized awnings can be equipped with wind or motion sensors that will automatically retract the awnings in unfavorable weather.
Window and Door Awnings:
Window and door awnings are fixed-style awnings that offer year-round protection. By positioning awnings over doors and windows, homeowners benefit from heightened weather protection, improved energy efficiency, and an aesthetic boost. Not only will this decrease your home energy consumption, but it will protect the longevity of your doors and windows while providing you with cover when standing outside.
Freestanding Awnings:
Freestanding awnings are another preferred awning type in Kennewick, as they can be customized to fit unique layouts. Ideal for placement around pools, gardens, or outdoor seating areas, freestanding awnings do not need a pre-existing structure to adhere to. Their placement can be situated almost anywhere, and they require little ground space.
Best Fabric and Frame Materials for Durability:
At Blind Guy of the Tri-Cities, we value transparency in our business, which is why we always recommend the top-performing fabrics and frame materials for durability so that homeowners can get the greatest bang for their buck.
The Best Fabric for Awnings:
In terms of fabric, we always recommend high-performance fabrics that are UV-resistant, water-repellant, and fade-proof. While no fabric will last forever, these fabrics offer premium longevity and durability.
We recommend Sunesta for awning fabric. With over 100 fabric options, you can rest assured that they will have a color or pattern that will enhance the aesthetic of your home. Additionally, Sunesta fabrics are mold-, rot-, and fade-resistant, feature a UPF of 30+, and are recognized by the Skin Cancer Foundation through their Seal of Recommendation.
The Best Frame Materials for Awnings:
Similarly, at Blind Guys of the Tri-Cities, we always recommend high-quality, durable framing materials for any awning installation. We advise homeowners to use powder-coated aluminum or steel frames, as they are rust-resistant and strong for all-year-round use.
No matter which fabric or frame material you choose, we advise clients to be aware of material warranties and maintenance requirements. For example, Sunesta offers a 10-year limited warranty on all of its acrylic fabrics against mildew, rot, and fading. At Blind Guy of the Tri-Cities, we can detail the warranties behind each option and what will be required from you as a homeowner for upkeep.
Customization Options You Can Add to Your Awning Installation:
#1: Color & Design
Rather than going with a boring off-the-shelf style with your awning installation, you can customize your color and design to fit the unique aesthetics of your home. Whether you want bright strips, subdued neutrals, or a solid color, there is a wide variety of options.
#2: Valances & Trim
Another design aesthetic you can select from is valance and trims. Valances are the decorative strip of fabrics that hangs along the front or perimeter of the awning, adding extra flair and shade. The trim (or binding) is the decorative border that follows the shape of the bottom edge of the valance, adding a decorative element while protecting the edge of the valance from fraying over time.
#3: Sizing & Mounting
Next, as a part of your awning installation, you have the opportunity to customize your sizing and mounting. Of course, sizing and mounting must be tailored to fit the architectural and aesthetic requirements of the home, but there are a few minimum requirements.
Sizing refers to the width and projection of the awning. Width is the horizontal length of the awning, measured end-to-end. Residential awnings typically fall between 8 and 25 ft, so you can easily customize your awning within that framework or go larger! Projection is how far the awning extends out from the mount. Typically, this ranges from 5 to 13 feet. However, it is vital to keep in mind that the further the projection, the greater the requirement for mounting height.
Mounting refers to where the awning is fixed to a structure. Awnings can be mounted to walls, soffits, and roofs. It typically requires a minimum mounting height of over 7ft with a pitch of 15° to ensure proper water drainage.
#4: High-Tech
An optional customization homeowners can select to add to their awning installation is high-tech features. Automation, lighting, and weather sensors are excellent features for homeowners who enjoy smart-home integration and added convenience.
#5: Extensions
Another customization element homeowners can add are awning extensions. Drop-down screens can create mini screen rooms to protect against bugs, and canopy extensions can increase the awning’s coverage to add more shade protection.
Awning Installation Considerations for Kennewick Homes:
Sun Exposure:
Here in the northern hemisphere, south and west-facing windows often need the most shade coverage. When crafting your awning installation, you will want to identify where your home receives the most sun exposure and act accordingly. Of course, this will depend significantly on your property details; for example, you may get shade from trees, nearby structures, or natural landmarks, which could help reduce your shade requirements.
Weather & Wind:
One of the biggest considerations for awning installation is weather conditions: rain, hail, snow, and wind. Fortunately, Kennewick does not typically suffer from heavy rain or hailstorms. In terms of snow, Kennewick generally sees 2-3 inches annually during the winter season, during which time awnings should be retracted. The primary concern for weather is wind. Most retractable awnings should be retracted when wind speeds reach 20- 25 mph. Kennewick experiences mild wind, averaging 8.1 miles per hour during the windiest month, April, but homeowners who live on hillsides or wind-prone areas should consider wind when installing their awnings.
Code Requirements:
Lastly, you will want to verify the code and mounting requirements of your specific area. Counties sometimes vary in code requirements, so you will need to meet local codes to stay compliant. Fortunately, working with professional installers, like us at Blind Guys of the Tri-Cities, means you have access to an expert team who can guide you through the process.
Why Choose Blind Guy of Tri-Cities:
If you are a homeowner in the Kennewick or Tri-Cities region looking to enhance your home’s curb appeal and functionality, we at Blind Guys of the Tri-Cities are here to help. Locally owned and operated with deep knowledge of Kennewick homes and conditions, we offer expert guidance on style, sizing, and installation. We provide a wide selection of high-quality awning brands and customization options, all starting with friendly, in-home consultations.
Ready to upgrade your home with a stylish, functional awning? Contact Blind Guy of Tri-Cities today for a free consultation and explore the best options for your Kennewick home.