Friday, April 19, 2013

How to repair an awning.

Awnings stand testament to the earths natural elements, harsh wind, rain, sometimes extreme sunshine amongst others. It is unavoidable that an awning should at some point give in to the constant hammering. In the event that an awning should tear or rip during it's lifespan, it is imperative that the rip or tear be attended to immediately to prevent further damage to the awning.

The reason we stress for you to repair these seemingly small defects as soon as possible, is because if the tear or rip becomes larger, you may have to replace the entire awning or hire a professional to repair it, which involves money that could be used elsewhere.

So lets take a look at some steps to take when repairing an awning.

First off, lets inspect the awning.

You need to determine the size of the tear and overall condition. If you have determined that the tear is a manageable size and you don't feel the need to call out the professional awning repair teams, you can go out and get yourself some awning repair tape which is available at most outdoor equipment suppliers.

Clean the awning and place on a flat surface

You need to clean around the tear and place the awning on a flat surface. Do not use hot water or harsh soaps, you may use a soft brush and a mild soap with some cold or lukewarm water to was away the excess dirt.

Repair the tears in your awning

You now need to use the tape to repair the tears, place the tape firmly down and press out any air bubbles which pop up to the surface. Usee as many pieces as necessary and repeat on the other side of the awning.

Repairing larger holes

You could try to find a matching piece of fabric from the manufacturer of your awning, which you could use to patch up the hole with the tape, however, determine whether it would be in your best interest to attempt the repairs yourself or if you should need a professional awning repairer to assist you.

Friday, April 12, 2013

FAQ about awnings and how to care for your awning.

Can I roll my awning up wet?

It would be better to roll your awning up if the weather has taken a dramatic turn for the worse. However once, the weather has passed it would be a good idea to unroll your awning and let it air dry. You should be told mildew and mould collect commonly in damp areas.

How do I care for my awning and the fabric?

Your awning is built with durability and prolonged life in mind, making caring for your awnings fabric an easy and stress free chore. You can simply use a soft brush to brush off any dirt which has collected on your awning. Dust and particles should be removed from the surface by vacuum cleaning, blowing air, beating or brushing the fabric.

What should I do in winter?

We recommend putting the awning in a protective cover during the winter. Your local retailer can supply this kind of cover. To keep your awning in good condition for as long a time as possible, it is highly recommended to fit it under an overhanging roof or to add a protective hood. For maximum protection all year round, choose a case awning. What happens when my awning begins to show signs of age. Can I refurbish my awning? To give a new lease of life to your awning or just to change colour or pattern, replacing the fabric is an ideal option. Ask your local retail outfit, who will be able to offer a new fabric with the colour and quality of your choice to the exact dimensions of your awning frame.

Which fabric is used for awnings?

Awnings come with a variety of different fabrics to choose from, among all modern synthetic fibers, acrylic is the best for outdoor use. It has excellent thermal insulation properties (a quality that is sought for in clothing). As far as awnings are concerned, we recommend solution-dyed acrylic fabric. Colours are impregnated in the heart of the fiber at the production stage, which is not the case for other dip-dyed fibers. Solution-dyed acrylic fabrics ensure long-lasting bright colours.

Go green with an awning, is this true?

Yes, awnings not only provide you with much needed shade, they also can keep the interior of your house cool which in turn allows for less use of any air-conditioners, which obviously reduces your cost and it saves on energy.

If you need a fast and competitive quote to fulfill all your awning needs, contact Shaydee Awnings.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Types of awnings

With many different types of awnings and each coming with their own primary use and method of installation, it is no wonder that choosing the correct awning can seem quite confusing for the average person. Here is a list of the different types of awnings to give you a little insight into the vast variety of awnings:
Propulsion:
Modern awnings come in two varieties: ones which can be manually opened and ones which are motorized. Awnings which are manually opened offer low-cost affordability and can be easily adapted to many different spaces. The motorized versions have the convenience of easily opening and closing by the simple touch of a remote.
Aluminium awnings:
These are very popular among residential areas, providing shade for patios as well as indoor shade.
Retractable awnings:
These include many different types such as: retractable awnings, lateral arm awnings, side/drop awnings. They are very popular and have vast benefits such as the ability to save on indoor air-conditioning and on energy consumption.