Posted On 28 Oct, 1969 By admin On Blog
From field surveys and fabrication to design and installation, read on to learn some dos and don'ts of awning work.
By Jennifer LeClaire
Awnings have moved from functional sun and rain coverings to architectural additions that can simultaneously enhance a building's exterior charm and communicate the business owner's message.
Before air conditioning was invented, the primary purpose of an awning was to provide shade from the summer sun. Storeowners folded up the retractable awnings for the winter months. Today, awnings are more often installed for advertising than for weather protection purposes. Retailers and restaurants, among others, have adopted awnings as signage and the result is a more attractive storefront that communicates the brand.
Experts say awnings present revenue opportunities, and companies are offering some innovative new material, design and installation options to help signmakers profit from this advertising trend.
Don't Forget Field Surveys
But before you even begin choosing materials or thinking about design, experts suggest conducting a survey of the building. Take a camera to photograph the exterior, investigate the fire and installation codes, and ask the owner lots of questions before starting the job.
The type of business, its hours of operation, and the architectural style of the building all play important roles in selecting the awning style, graphic design elements, substrates, and method of installation. If installers show up with a 40-foot awning, for example, and there are encumbrances on the wall that the awning won't fit around in middle of the wall, then you are costing your shop time delays and financial losses. Planning is essential.
Making the Most of Materials
Once you understand the customer's needs you can choose the awning fabric. Flexible-face materials are revolutionizing the use of awnings. 3M's films, Cooley's eradicable and seamless white awning substrates, and Glen Raven's Firesist are among the most popular solutions on the market.
3M's Panaflex is a flexible face system used by many signmakers for canopies, awnings and seamed pylons. Signmakers note this substrate's built-in resistance on its smooth, semi-gloss surface. A polyester scrim embedded between white-pigmented vinyl layers makes the material durable.
Cooley, the first company to develop translucent materials for signs and awnings, recently introduced its Cooley-Brite II eradicable substrate with an eight-year warranty. The Coolthane Enhanced Protection System, a clear, protective layer, makes the material more flexible and durable than most other options
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