The awning, a good compromise between veranda and shade sail
An arbor? Veranda ? A shade sail? No, a canopy! For your terrace, consider the alternative of the awning. Widely used by catering professionals, the awning offers many advantages on a garden terrace in summer, whether to protect it from the sun or the rain. If you still don’t know what it is, the editorial staff of Déco.fr tells you all about the awning!
What is an awning?
A canopy is characterized by a fabric which is held by a system of cables and fixed bars . The fabric is hung by rings and the blind folds up creating a kind of wave… To operate its opening and closing, the awning blind can either be motorized or equipped with a pole for manual control.
In terms of material, the canvas can be PVC or acrylic; depending on the material chosen for the fabric, your awning (also known as a “cable awning” or “solar sail” ) will therefore be more or less blackout and filter the light to a greater or lesser extent.
The awning is an equipment that can be used on a veranda as well as a pergola .
What are the advantages and disadvantages of an awning?
The awning is a device that is widely used on the terraces of cafes and restaurants, particularly in the south of France. It is appreciated because it protects both from the sun and from the rain .
In addition, the awning can fold up , which cannot be done with a pergola , for example. You can also hang curtains on it to create a kind of veranda, unlike shade sails. The awning is therefore a good compromise between a shade sail and a sort of veranda .
In terms of performance, the awning is equipped with a reflective fabric which can reject up to 85{8911b186dc8eb68cf7477c00c897a45e728d69107c116b7a555a42ac961b72cc} of the sun’s rays: perfect if you live in a region where the summers are very hot and you do not want to invest in an air conditioning system! Finally, the awning can be manufactured with a whole host of options (color of the frame, heating system, light, music, etc.).
On the side of the disadvantages of the awning, we mainly note its price! Indeed, the awning’s protective canvas is always made to measure … The final price will obviously depend on the fabric of the canvas, the options chosen, the total size of the awning, the choice of a motorization system or not. . In addition, given the total weight of the equipment, if you are unsure of yourself for installation, you will need to hire a professional to set it up on your pergola or terrace!
How to maintain a canopy?
For the maintenance of your awning, it all depends on where you have installed it:
- If the awning is in your veranda, a simple annual dusting will be more than enough. If you find that some dirt has become encrusted, cleaning with a soapy sponge (black soap for example) may be welcome.
- If your awning is under your pergola, you will need to combine dusting and cleaning with a damp sponge and household detergent.
Can we find “deco” awnings?
The awning is particularly used in sunny regions, which is why awning specialists are more established in the south. So look among the specialists on the Côte d’Azur for example, you should find your happiness!
