Category Archives: Blog

Modern Custom Awnings

5 Steps to Maintaining Your Custom Awnings

Commercial, Product, Restaurant Awnings

Awnings protect your or business, but it’s up to you to protect your awnings. When they’re well cared for, your awnings will last for years to come and maintain their neat appearance. Today we’ll cover some of the easiest ways to keep your awnings looking great and maintaining their integrity.

1. Keep Debris Off Your Awnings

One of the easiest things you can do is to make sure that leaves, twigs, and other debris don’t accumulate on your awnings. Organic matter, such as bird droppings or clumps of decaying leaves, can lead to mildew that will stain your awnings. So don’t any of it sit! Use a soft brush to sweep away any sort of debris, and gently spray your awnings down with a hose, preferably on a sunny day where you can count on the sunlight to dry your awnings quickly.

2. Spot Clean Your Awnings

Use a bit of warm, soapy water (with a mild detergent like Dawn dishwashing detergent or even Woolite) and a soft bristle brush to scrub at the awning and then rinse it clean with the hose to get all of the soap out, and allow it to air dry. Don’t use hot water or apply heat to the awning.

3. Inspect Your Awnings

As durable as our awnings are, nothing is completely immune to the ravages of the elements. Check your awnings regularly for signs of rust dripping from leaky gutters or pipes, small punctures or tears, and signs of mildew, all of which require action.

4. Call the Professionals  

When you see a problem, don’t wait until it becomes a bigger one. Call us to handle your awnings repairs. Depending on the materials you choose for your awnings, they may even need a reapplication of special protectants, which can prolong their life.

5. Know How to Store Your Awnings

Retractable awnings aren’t meant to withstand high winds and inclement weather. While stationary awnings are better able to withstand the elements, they’re not impervious, either. When severe storms are coming, you should take them down and put them in storage.

Make sure first that the awning is completely dry. Never store a wet awning, which can lead to mildew growth. You should avoid dragging the awning across abrasive surfaces such as a stone or concrete patio. Instead, carry them or roll them on a cart and put them into storage.

When you look after your awnings properly, they’ll last you for years to come. If you have any questions about how to care for your awnings, call us at 305-283-3434 or send an email to felixarbucias@dadebrowardawnings.com.

 

Home Canvas Awnings

5 Window Treatment Options to Improve Your Home’s Energy

Product, Residential, Services

The Miami heat can be unbearable at times, making a cool home a necessity. But running the air conditioner can drive your energy bills through the roof. Window treatments — including custom awnings for your home — can be an effective way to lower the temperature indoors and drop your cooling costs.

The key to cooling your home efficiently is blocking the sunlight that raises the temperature (called solar heat gain). It’s particularly important to block sunlight on south-facing and west-facing windows,which get the most sunlight. Sunlight actually accounts for about 20% of your air conditioner’s workload.

1. Awnings

Awnings can block an estimated 65% of solar heat gain on south-facing windows, and 77% of solar heat gain on west-facing windows according to the U.S. Department of Energy. They also help protect your floors, carpeting, upholstery, and other possessions from UV damage and sun bleaching.

Awnings can be installed over windows and doorways, but canopies over your porch, deck, or patio can also shield your outdoor spaces from the ravages of the Miami heat, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors.

2. Blinds

Blinds are typically placed on the inside of windows, and can block as much as 45% of solar heat gain on a sunny day. Blinds also give you the freedom to control light and ventilation in a room.

External blinds are more effective at blocking sunlight, but typically they are easier to install when building a new home. Still, they make for an interesting architectural element and they are highly effective at blocking solar heat gain.

3. Drapes

The effectiveness of drapes depends on their material and backing, as well as color. For context, medium-colored drapes with a white plastic backing can block up to 33% of solar heat gain. For greatest effectiveness, close draperies on windows that receive direct sunlight (south- and west-facing windows in particular. For greatest effect, try to place them as flush to the window as possible, and use two rather than just one drapery.

4. Shades

Shades are highly effective for controlling heat gain. Mount them as close to your window as possible for maximum effectiveness. In climates that actually see cold weather, double shades, with one dark colored side and one reflective side, are ideal because the shades can be reversed as the seasons change, but in constant heat, light colored shades that reflect heat are the best option.

5. Shutters

Shutters are convenient because they can be placed inside and out (just remember to leave space inside the room to open interior shutters). Exterior shutters deliver maximum impact and effectiveness — including storm protection. However, retrofitting is complicated and so they’re a better option for new homes.