Elevate Your Home With Elegant Custom-Made Awnings

Whether you want to increase your home's overall comfort, extend your outdoor living space, or improve your abode's energy efficiency, know that custom-made awnings can help you achieve these goals and more. They can even help protect your interior furnishings, boost curb appeal, and contribute to a better property value.

Given the many benefits of awnings, it's easy to see why these outdoor structures make up a multi-billion-dollar industry. Grand View Research estimates the awnings market size in North America alone to reach $4.44 billion in 2030. Per the research firm, the high level of customization it allows for will contribute to this growth.

In this guide, we'll share insights into these tailored shade solutions and the various home awning benefits you can expect.

Do Awnings Increase Home Value?

Yes.

With sturdy materials and construction, coupled with correct installation, awnings can improve home value by helping make your home more energy efficient. They can also enhance your property's curb appeal and make your outdoor living space more desirable and functional. 

How Exactly Can Custom-Made Awnings Benefit You? 

Custom-made awnings are more than just shade-providing, comfort-boosting outdoor structures. Here's a closer look at how they work and the value they can provide to your home and wallet. 

Energy Savings

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, awnings installed on west-facing windows can minimize solar heat gain in the summer by up to 77%. On south-facing windows, they can reduce heat gains by up to 65%. 

You'd want to minimize heat gains through windows because they can make your home feel too warm and contribute to higher energy bills. They can force your air conditioner to work harder to maintain a comfy indoor temperature. The more work your AC has to do, the more electricity it consumes.

With custom-made awnings, you can lower your AC's summer energy consumption even more. You can have these personalized sun protection systems cover not just one window but the entire side of your abode. 

Enhanced Visual and Architectural Interest

With properly implemented awning design ideas, these secondary coverings can enhance your home's curb appeal. They can add visual interest to your abode's architecture, complementing it with well-chosen colors. Furthermore, you now have options outside of monotone hues, thanks to custom fabric art solutions being available, according to the folks at ShadeFLA. 

Maximized Outdoor Spaces

Another way awnings can add to your home's curb appeal and overall value is by extending your outdoor living space. Because they can protect you from the sun, precipitation, and wind, you and your loved ones can enjoy spending time outside without worrying about too much exposure to the outdoor elements.

Custom-made awnings also work well with other structures, including stand-alone bespoke outdoor canopies. By combining these two, you can enjoy even more shade and elevate the appearance and functionality of your outdoor space. 

Longer-Lasting Furnishings

Custom-made awnings can help make your furnishings last longer, as they block ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV rays are significant contributors to fading damage, so by blocking them, awnings can provide valuable protection for indoor items like:

• Furniture
• Decor
• Carpets and rugs
• Upholstery
• Floors

By shielding against the sun, awnings can also minimize glare inside your home. 

What Is the Downside of Awnings?

The biggest drawback of custom-made awnings is their upfront cost, which is typically high, especially if you want them to be retractable and motorized. However, your initial investment could be worth it if you and your family will use the awnings often and saving energy is more important to you.

Another potential drawback is their susceptibility to possible damage caused by severe weather. It's advisable to take them down if the weather forecast says there's a storm coming.

The good news is that some awning companies have removal services in which they'll remove and secure your shade structures before an expected storm. Once the weather clears and it's safe to venture outdoors, they'll come back and reinstall your awnings. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Insurance Cover Awning Damage? 

Homeowners' insurance may provide coverage for awning damage caused by natural events. Damages resulting from falling branches during inclement weather, hail, and windstorms are some examples of when a standard policy's "other structures" or dwelling coverage may kick in.

A homeowner's insurance policy will likely not cover any damage due to normal wear and tear. It won't provide coverage, either, if the problem results from incorrect installation, intentional actions, or poor maintenance. 

Do You Need a Permit to Put Up an Awning? 

In some cases, yes, such as if you'll install permanent and motorized awnings. They'll likely require a permit since their installation will involve modifications to your home's structure and electrical system.

The exact permit requirements still depend on your local jurisdiction, though. Contact your local municipal or county building department to ask and verify the specific rules and regulations that apply to your project. 

What Kind of Maintenance Do Custom-Made Awnings Need? 

The specific maintenance steps for custom-made awnings depend on their material and type. Awnings made of custom fabric art, for instance, may need more frequent inspections and specific cleaning solutions. Because they have more artistic and intricate elements, they often require a gentler approach to maintain their design and prevent damage or discoloration.

In general, the TLC that awnings need includes visual inspections every few months and routine cleaning (monthly or every other month). Applying a protectant to the fabric can also help safeguard it from water damage and stains. 

Your custom-made awnings need upkeep during the winter, too, especially if you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow. Never let snow and ice build up on these outdoor structures, as the weight of the precipitation can damage the awnings' fabrics or bend their frames. 

Consider Investing in Custom-Made Awnings Today

From increasing your home's comfort and energy efficiency to helping maximize outdoor spaces and boosting your abode's overall value, these are some of the many ways you can benefit from custom-made awnings. They can elevate not just your home's exterior but also its interior. 

Check out our other lifestyle articles for more practical tips and tricks like this! 

This article was prepared by an independent contributor which helps us continue delivering quality content to our audiences.