Are you ready for Summer Entertaining?
Folding Arm Awning extending over a deck area
I’m no weather expert……..and who can really claim
that title…… but all indicators are we are in for a hot summer on the Central
Coast.
that title…… but all indicators are we are in for a hot summer on the Central
Coast.
If you are like me, a hot Summer brings an influx
of visiting relatives to the Central Coast, and lots of outdoor entertaining with family and
friends.
of visiting relatives to the Central Coast, and lots of outdoor entertaining with family and
friends.
We have seen an increase in interest from one of
the most versatile alternatives to putting up a permanent structure on your
home. The Folding Arm Awning.
the most versatile alternatives to putting up a permanent structure on your
home. The Folding Arm Awning.
Why would you want a Folding Arm Awning? The most popular reasons people choose this
style of awning is if they have a deck area that is very exposed. They don’t want the expense of a permanent
structure, as the main time the area is the most uncomfortable and unusable is
in the unbearable heat of summer.
Alternatively having something permanent in winter would make your Central Coast home
darker and colder and more subjected to that cold damp feeling of the Central Coast winter.
style of awning is if they have a deck area that is very exposed. They don’t want the expense of a permanent
structure, as the main time the area is the most uncomfortable and unusable is
in the unbearable heat of summer.
Alternatively having something permanent in winter would make your Central Coast home
darker and colder and more subjected to that cold damp feeling of the Central Coast winter.
Full Cassette Folding Arm Awning with Striped Fabric
The most popular colours are
stripes or block colours matching the gutters or fascias of your home. A new range of waterproof acrylic fabrics are
now on the market that gives you that added confidence if the weather turns bad
and you are entertaining. The colour range is limited in the waterproof awning fabric range, so you really must decide is a “waterproof”
stripes or block colours matching the gutters or fascias of your home. A new range of waterproof acrylic fabrics are
now on the market that gives you that added confidence if the weather turns bad
and you are entertaining. The colour range is limited in the waterproof awning fabric range, so you really must decide is a “waterproof”
cover is the most important part in your colour choices for your new awning.
- Folding Arm Awning. attached to face of house
A Folding Arm awning extends horizontally allowing under-cover canopy style protection
that can instantly create an outside entertaining area protected from the
sun. With the ability to be retracted
back into its cradle, it allows your entertaining area to be completely open
during the winter month, leaving you to enjoy the warm winter sun.
that can instantly create an outside entertaining area protected from the
sun. With the ability to be retracted
back into its cradle, it allows your entertaining area to be completely open
during the winter month, leaving you to enjoy the warm winter sun.
Folding Arm awnings can be mounted to a wall, a pergola, high next to the guttering, or under
the eave of your home. It is important
to get a qualified installer to check where you want it installed for the best
safety, as folding arm awnings are very heavy and must be installed correctly.
the eave of your home. It is important
to get a qualified installer to check where you want it installed for the best
safety, as folding arm awnings are very heavy and must be installed correctly.
A Folding Arm awning works by the arms extending
in and out…….. a little like your elbows. You can have folding arm awnings within a cassette, a semi-cassette (like this one pictured)
in and out…….. a little like your elbows. You can have folding arm awnings within a cassette, a semi-cassette (like this one pictured)
or without a cassette.
If you choose to have your Folding Arm Awning without a cassette, you may want to add a hood for protection.
A folding arm awning can have widths of up to 10 metres wide and up
to 4 metres projection, however most people use them to create a retractable
canopy style roof of an exposed deck with water or pool views. In commercial situations restaurants and
cafes add them to the front of their building to add to their undercover dining
area.
to 4 metres projection, however most people use them to create a retractable
canopy style roof of an exposed deck with water or pool views. In commercial situations restaurants and
cafes add them to the front of their building to add to their undercover dining
area.
On certain styles of awnings the pitch, or the
angle of the projection of the awning can be adjusted to allow water to run
off. Another option is to add
“selectapitch” which gives you the option of adjusting the awning completely
vertical or horizontal to protect from the setting or midday sun.
angle of the projection of the awning can be adjusted to allow water to run
off. Another option is to add
“selectapitch” which gives you the option of adjusting the awning completely
vertical or horizontal to protect from the setting or midday sun.
Folding Arm Awnings are usually operated by a crank handle with a
hook. The hook is removable when not in
use. When needed the crank handle hooks
onto a leaver and the operator winds the pole multiple times to wind the awning
in and out. A folding arm awning can
also be motorised either with a remote control operation, or a wall switch
operation.
hook. The hook is removable when not in
use. When needed the crank handle hooks
onto a leaver and the operator winds the pole multiple times to wind the awning
in and out. A folding arm awning can
also be motorised either with a remote control operation, or a wall switch
operation.
Make no mistake; the biggest enemy of a folding arm awning is
wind.
wind.
Many fabrics can handle light
sprinkles of rain and as long as they are folded away dry and clean, the fabric
can last many years. Not unlike fabric covered outdoor furniture, it also needs to be taken care of and kept away
sprinkles of rain and as long as they are folded away dry and clean, the fabric
can last many years. Not unlike fabric covered outdoor furniture, it also needs to be taken care of and kept away
from the elements as much as possible to extend the life of the awning fabric.
An awning
left extended and out in severe wind can cause a tremendous amount of damage to
both the awning and your home. If left
out and exposed it may not be covered by its warranty.
left extended and out in severe wind can cause a tremendous amount of damage to
both the awning and your home. If left
out and exposed it may not be covered by its warranty.
For such a considerable and useful investment it
is often recommended to get the awnings motorised, and then get the added
feature of a “sun & wind sensor”. This mechanism can be programmed to activate
the awning automatically and fold it away if the wind gusts get too high. Alternatively, if you use the awning to
protect a side of your house from harsh westerly sun, you can have the sun
sensor programme the awning to automatically extend and protect your window
when the sun gets too hot.
is often recommended to get the awnings motorised, and then get the added
feature of a “sun & wind sensor”. This mechanism can be programmed to activate
the awning automatically and fold it away if the wind gusts get too high. Alternatively, if you use the awning to
protect a side of your house from harsh westerly sun, you can have the sun
sensor programme the awning to automatically extend and protect your window
when the sun gets too hot.
A folding arm awning is a specialised awning and
should be fitted by a qualified awning fitter or carpenter. Contact your local
awning or blind expert to get specialised advice and service.
should be fitted by a qualified awning fitter or carpenter. Contact your local
awning or blind expert to get specialised advice and service.
