When you think about outdoor awnings, the first thing that comes to your mind is an image of grandma’s ancient house? With those rusty awnings that look like they belong in a horror movie? Awnings that resemble old contraptions that brought more trouble than they’re worth are fortunately a thing of the past. Modern outdoor awnings are incredibly functional and very stylish, which means that instead of making your home look abandoned, they make it look inviting and cozy. Since outdoor awnings are here to stay, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to provide you with a list of benefits they bring:
They are versatile
Different people have different preferences when it comes to the type of shade they want around their home. While some would very much prefer sun rays to be completely blocked, others enjoy lighter shade instead. Outdoor awnings, fortunately, are very versatile, which means that you can get different kinds of shade. This is perfect for people who are very peculiar about such details because they can get exactly what they want. There are awnings that you can keep all year long, if you want, and there are also those that can retract with a press of a button so the amount of shade can change several times a day. The most important thing is to know exactly what kind you need and want, and go from there.
They help save energy
The main reason people install outdoor awnings in the first place is to get additional protection from the sun. When you get a lot of direct sunlight during the day, you naturally keep your air condition on a lot and get very high electricity bills at the end of the month. When you install outdoor awnings, you will block the sun and thus you won’t have to keep your air condition on so much. Despite the fact that you will have lower electricity bills and not keep the air condition on, because of awnings, your home will be pleasantly cool. When you combine this with some nice curtains, you will be able to keep most of the heat out of your home.
They give you more space in your home
Another reason people choose to install outdoor awnings in the first place is because they enjoy spending time outside a lot. This means that they would love to eat their meals and socialize outside but the weather conditions most often prevent them from doing so. With outdoor awnings, you are able to get more usable space in your home by adapting the outside of your house. As a result, you can enjoy meals with your family or even host dinner parties out on your porch without fear that the sun will be too harsh or that you will get wet in case of mild rain. In the end, your home will feel like it has more rooms than it actually does simply because you will be able to make the most of your outdoor space.
They increase the value of your home
By choosing to add outdoor awnings to your house, you will significantly raise the value of your home. This is very important if you’re thinking of selling your home one day and relocating to another place. Not only will your electricity bills be lower, which is something a lot of potential buyers pay close attention to, but your home will look much more inviting with awnings. This is also something potential buyers are looking for, and it’s a given that a lot of them will come back to take another look at your home and perhaps even make an offer.
They keep your furniture looking like new
We have already mentioned in several places that outdoor awnings are installed to prevent the sun from shining directly into your house. There is another benefit to this fact – your furniture will look brand new for years to come. This is because furniture colors often fade when exposed to direct sunlight and you end up having to get that fixed in order to prevent your home from looking too shabby. Not only is your furniture affected but your rugs and curtains too – anything in direct contact with sun rays coming through your windows. It’s the UV rays from the sun that are damaging the fabrics and eventually, you’ll inevitably notice just how much the color of your furniture has faded.
They are easy to maintain
The sad truth is that your outdoor awnings are going to need some maintenance if you’re hoping to keep them in good condition. Just like with the majority of items that are constantly exposed to the elements, it’s expected to show signs of wear and tear. It’s all that dirt and grime which will inevitably accumulate on your outdoor awnings that will make them look bad and deteriorate faster. Still, if you take good care of them over time, they will last for decades and look like new no matter what. Of course, if you don’t wash and clean them regularly, they are going to look bad, and in turn, make your home look bad too. So, make sure you regularly clean the debris from our awnings and you can occasionally even wash them with soap and warm water.
They are cost effective
If you’re looking for a way to expand your home a bit and use most of your outdoor space, outdoor awnings are the best choice. If you want, you could also build a new porch or a pergola, but these options are much more costly and often take a long time to complete. Awnings, on the other hand, are very cost effective and they offer shelter for any outdoor area of your choice. If you’re not comfortable spending several thousands of dollars for a complicated and tedious project just to provide shelter for a portion of an outdoor area, awnings are the best choice you can make.
Outdoor awnings have certainly come a long way, and even though their beginnings were incredibly humble and simple, today the situation is much different. These days, outdoor awnings add a touch of style and sometimes even luxury to your home. They fit very easily to different home styles and ensure that the time you spend outside is pleasant no matter the weather. All of this goes to say that you should consider getting outdoor awnings and enjoying all of the benefits we mentioned above.
