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Which awnings to use?

The most common materials used in the construction of awnings are
Aluminium / Zincalume
Wood Steel
Or a variety of polyethylene

The type of construction material chosen is highly dependent on where and how your awning will be used.   Wood is possibly the least used component as it is expensive and susceptible to weather.  Aluminium and polyethylene is the most common as they are cost effective and resilient.  Steel on the other hand makes an ideal, long lasting support for awnings but it can be expensive and susceptible to the elements. Fabric is usually the covering of choice but again aluminium can be used as well as corrugated Perspex or Polycarbonates.

Canvas Awnings -  covers to match your use

Cloth awnings are not as durable as Perspex, aluminium or polycarbonates, but have a larger following due to their ability to be created in almost endless arrays of colours, shapes and designs.  As a rule of thumb, lighter awnings offer an airy feeling by allowing more UV light through but wont cool an area down as much as darker awnings will. Darker awnings will also allow less UV light through, filtering as much as 90% of the suns radiation.

For many years cotton being a 100% natural material was the “ultimate” choice for shade covering but over time showed some serious drawbacks one being it inability to resist UV radiation and the other being its susceptibility to the elements.  Giving over to synthetic materials we find awning coverings today made out of polyester, polypropylene, acrylic fibres and micro-perforated fabrics instead.

Polyester is highly resistant to tearing, it sensitive to UV light and is a material recommended for long-term use. Polypropylene is very cost effective but does not wear well and is subject to UV light.  It is a fabric best left for indoor use.

Acrylic fibres on the other hand are modern and provide fabulous thermal insulation.  These fibres take well to dyes and as a result awnings made from acrylics often come in fantastic bright colours and designs.

Micro-perforated fabrics offer a very high performance fabric when combines with synthetic fibres or high-tech coatings, this fabric makes the number choice in awnings.  They can control both light and heat too, which further enhances their outdoor usage.  

Awnings as Carports

Not all homes have built in garages and for this reason carports are providing the ideal solution for protection against the elements for cars, boats, caravans, motorbikes and even trailers.

The variety of carports on the market is wide and come in a host of materials, designs and construction.  Choosing the materials is the most important thing though as this will have a bearing on price and design.

Polyester or polyethylene are possibly the most economical choices for carport frames while aluminium or steel are the most popular choices in framing.  Polyethylene frames won’t be as sturdy as steel or aluminium but they are more than capable of resisting wind, sunlight and rain.  Polyethylene frames are also available in a range of unusual, lightweight frames that are easier to construct and easier to move. 

Aluminium are sturdier than polyethylene and still offer a wide range of designs in an economical package that is easy to assemble.  While not as portable as polyethylene, aluminium is reliable, durable and sturdy. Steel carports on the other hand are perhaps the sturdiest choice on the market, but you will pay for this in terms of the cost of the materials. They offer the same principle of protection as the other carports do but are best suited to areas where a permanent structure is needed.

  Style your Awning

Carports come in standard or custom sizes, designs and shapes.  The most popular are those that can fit a single car but can easily come in sizes capable of protecting multiple vehicles at the same time.  Determining the space you have available will help determine the size and style carport you can put up. 

You can choose from standard frames, open or closed on all sides.  You can choose from “A” Frames, ones that are attached to one or more walls of your home or you can choose to design your own.  Carports are of course most affordable when they are of a standard size and design however.  The best choice about a carport is that they are semi-permanent and you can if you want; take it with you when you move.  Many carport kits exist that are certainly 100% portable, lightweight and easy to install and dismantle.

  Soft-top carports are able to serve multiple functions.  They are highly good for keeping weather at bay, offer great sun filtering capabilities and come in a range of colours and designs so that you can find one that can either blend into or enhance your environment perfectly.

When it comes to choosing your fabric covering, you should only use fabrics that are considered “for permanent use”. This means that the fabric must be waterproof as well as offering above average resistance to weather and colour fading.