Houses are embodiments of an individual’s class and estate. Thus, each one of us tries to construct our houses in such a way that they exude elegance and comfort. Modern day architectural techniques help us to create our houses so that they provide us with maximum comfort as well as add to the aesthetic sense of the house. We apply our personal touch to skirting boards, mouldings, window awnings etc are some such architectural tools.
An awning is an extension over a door or a window, which protects it from rain, sun, wind etc. It is generally made up of some heavy-duty material or metal and has been used as a covering over windows for centuries. The use of window awnings for homes dates back to the 19th century when awnings were made up of a thin sheet of metal, angled over a window. Today almost every house has awnings over windows to provide protection to the window from the sun, snow, wind or rain.
Outdoor awnings or External Awnings
Outdoor window awnings are extensions over windows, which protect them from rain, sun, and wind snow. They also provide shade in the hot days of summer and prevent the entry of dust, heat and water into the house. A large variety of materials are use for the construction of outdoor awnings, where during old times they were made of wood, cotton or metal, in modern times awnings are made up of more durable materials which require less maintenance. Following are some of the materials used for awnings.
Fibreglass: It is a better alternative for metal and steel for the construction of outdoor awnings. Fibreglass awnings are constructed with the colour in the material and thus they need not be repainted. However, one of the drawbacks is that you cannot change the look of the awning. Fibreglass awnings can be either translucent or opaque, translucent awnings prevent the complete blockage of light inside the house.
Acrylic: Acrylic or synthetic fabrics coated with acrylic are probably the best material for the construction of external window awnings as they are more durable and are less susceptible to damage. They do not fade over time and efficiently repel water. If you are living in a high humidity are. Acrylic awnings are the suitable choice as they resist moulds and effectively prevent damage from ultraviolet rays.
Vinyl: Vinyl awnings are a great choice as they are more translucent then acrylic awnings and thus illuminate the house efficiently, although it is slightly heavier than the acrylic type. They also work effectively in highly humid areas and effectively block sunlight and water.
How to choose the right window awning for your home
With the wide variety of awnings available in the market, it gets very difficult to choose the right kind of window awning for your house. However, while choosing an awning you must keep the following points in your mind
- The location where you intend to put up the awning
- The function and operation that you require the awning to perform.
- The fabric, colour and style that you like.
The above factors are the most important to keep in mind while buying a window awning. You can also change the look and fabric of your awning after a few years of installation to give your house a fresh new look. So go ahead and give your house a modern chic look with fancy window awnings.
