Wednesday, May 15, 2013

The Choice of Fixed or Retractable Awnings


Awnings may provide welcome shade on a hot day, or they may be large enough to create transitional spaces - spaces that aren't entirely outdoors or indoors. They may be very simple or complex, with unusual or eye-catching structural support or retraction mechanisms. Whatever the size or style of your home or business, A to Z Awnings & Marine Canvas can create an awning that's perfect in terms of color, shape, and architectural harmony.

Reasons for Choosing Retractable Awnings
Retractable awnings may be operated manually, or they may be motorized. Homeowners and businesses in areas that are prone to severe weather often choose retractable awnings because they're less subject to damage when retracted. Some people choose awnings because some days they want the added shade and some days they don't. Retractable awnings give the homeowner or business owner an added level of flexibility.

Reasons for Choosing Fixed Awnings
Sometimes awnings are integral to the architectural design of a structure, and in these cases fixed awnings are the natural choice. Some awnings don't project enough to pose a serious danger in the event of severe weather. For example, a small, quarter-round fixed awning over a store entrance doesn't need to be retractable. Fixed awnings are often installed primarily as an architectural touch.

All Awnings Can Be Customized
Regardless of the choice of fixed or retractable, any awning can be customized in countless ways. Not only are there more fabric choices than ever before, awnings can be created in just about any shape you can imagine. Many businesses choose to have their business name and street number on their awning so people can find them easier. Or they may choose to have a logo, web address, or phone number printed on the awning.

An Awning Is the Perfect Architectural Finishing Touch

Whatever the architectural style and size of your home or business, an awning can be created that will harmonize perfectly. A well-designed awning can add that perfect finishing touch to the look of your home or business, making it stand out beautifully. At A to Z Awnings and MarineCanvas, we're ready to help you design the awning that is perfect for your needs.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Awnings Are Simple, but Effective for Increasing Comfort


Have you ever toured a city on foot during a summer vacation and found yourself drawn to a café or shop with an awning over the door, or over an outdoor seating area? Smart business owners know that awnings improve the look of their storefronts and are appreciated by customers. Many homeowners are discovering the benefits of adding awnings to their residences too. At A to Z Awnings & Marine Canvas, we know how to make your home, business, or boat more attractive and enjoyable.

Awnings for Homes

A retractable awning over your back patio greatly increases your use and enjoyment of the space. In fact, residential awnings can be placed over window frames and doorways that receive harsh, direct sunlight and actually cut down on cooling needs by the simple addition of shade. Residential awnings can be made in any style or color, to suit any type of architecture.

Awnings for Businesses

An awning not only looks welcoming to customers, it can also serve as advertising. You can have your business name, street number, logo, or other information printed onto your awning for 24/7 advertising. An awning also makes your business easier to identify for new customers. Add an awning to your restaurant's patio or beer garden and you greatly increase customer and server comfort.
Awnings for Boats

Marine canvas can dress your boat up beautifully. T-tops consist of a canvas "roof" and two side frames which are fitted with screens or clear plastic so as not to block the view. T-tops are extremely popular because they are designed simply and because they make your boat more enjoyable. Other types of marine canvas include seat covers, Bimini tops, and convertible tops.

Simplicity, Beauty, and Increased Comfort

Awnings have come a long way since the simple cloth devices used in ancient times. But they still use simplicity beautifully, providing shelter from harsh sunlight, and today they can be integrated perfectly with any type of architecture. Top quality awnings are built to last, increasing comfort and looking great for many years. At A to Z Awnings & Marine Canvas, we are experts at creating and installing custom awnings for homes, businesses, and boats.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Awnings Have Stood the Test of Time for Hundreds of Years


The awning is one of the simplest structures ever invented, and yet it has influenced design for hundreds of years. Awnings have been used as far back as recorded history reaches, and for many good reasons. Though they fell out of favor in the United States when air conditioning became widespread, people are discovering awnings once again. At A to Z Awnings and Marine Canvas, we make and install awnings that add both style and comfort.

Awnings and Businesses

Awnings on businesses serve multiple functions. At the most practical level, awnings on business fronts provide a transition space between the outside and the inside. For example, awnings allow customers to close umbrellas before entering without getting wet. They also serve as effective landmarks and as 24/7 advertising. Business awnings can be custom designed with logos, addresses, and business names to make businesses stand out from their neighboring businesses.

Awnings and Homes

Awnings keep direct sunlight off windows and doors, helping keep air conditioning costs down during summers. They can also be installed over patios and decks to effectively add to a home's usable living space. An awning over your patio means you don't have to take your al fresco dinner inside if a light rain shower blows through. And awnings for homes can be designed to harmonize with architecture beautifully.

"Awnings" and Boats

Marine canvas can make your boat much more enjoyable, and make it look terrific. Whether you want a practical boat cover for when your boat isn't in use, or whether you want a Bimini top or other covering to block sun when you use your boat, a marine canvas specialist can deliver. Many marine canvas specialists also provide seating covers and other features that make your boat much more comfortable and enjoyable.

Simplicity of Design that Makes a Noticeable Difference

Though awnings are engineered with more complexity than they used to be, they still serve simple, but important functions: making people more comfortable and adding beauty wherever they are installed. At A to Z Awnings and Marine Canvas, we can provide the awning you want to make your home, business, or boat a nicer place to be.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Miramar Awning Company Takes Marine Canvas to the Next Level

Much is demanded of marine canvas. It must be durable and easy to clean, and it must resist fading, to start. Today you can get two-sided marine fabrics for boat enclosures and bimini covers that provide the protection you demand and gives your boat a great, luxurious look. Light-filtering fabrics provide privacy without blocking out too much light, and marine fabrics for interiors give you comfort and style as well as mold resistance.

Miramar Awning Company Helps You Have the Boat of Your Dreams

Miramar marine canvas specialists can consult with you on what you need to make your boat the best. A to Z Awnings & Marine Canvas can create the new bimini cover you want, and show you fabric samples to make your boat's interior the envy of all. Your boat's cockpit can be outfitted with comfortable fabrics that look terrific and handle sun and wet swimwear easily.

Exterior Marine Canvas Projects

Full exterior covers can be made to fit your boat perfectly, protecting your investment and giving your boat the look that you want. Exterior upholstery will make your boat the perfect setting for a great day on the water with family and friends. There are more colors and fabric choices now than ever, so your boat can be perfectly individualized to your taste.

Interior Marine Canvas Projects

Interested in new stateroom upholstery? At A to Z Awnings & Marine Canvas we want to delight you with interior marine canvas offerings that take a great boat and make it even better. Whether you prefer bold or understated design, you can get the exact look you want in a fabric that feels great and looks great.

The Ingredients of Great Marine Canvas Design

With custom marine canvas design for your boat's unique lines, plus accommodation for efficient storage of covers, your boat will attract plenty of positive attention. Efficient access to winches and lines is not compromised with great marine canvas design, and you can have your project designed to accommodate additional canvas should you want it later. You don't have to compromise with quality, comfort, or looks when it comes to marine canvas.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

In Fort Lauderdale, Door Awnings Have Many Benefits

Living in Fort Lauderdale has a lot of benefits – beautiful, sunny days, warm weather and all the activities that go along with living on the ocean. Unfortunately, those benefits also can be hard on your home and your energy bills. When you live in Fort Lauderdale, door awnings are more than just a pretty accessory to brighten up the outside of your home. In fact, they provide some very tangible benefits. Here are four of the most important.

Save Money on Energy Bills
A front door awning can help lower your energy costs by reducing the amount of heat that enters your home. Not only does the awning block the direct rays of the sun from beating on your front door, it also keeps the area around your front door considerably cooler. An awning can actually reduce the amount of heat entering your front door by as much as 80 percent. Over time, that will make a significant dent in your home energy costs.

Protection from the Rain and Sun
On rainy days in Fort Lauderdale, awnings serve a very practical purpose – they protect you and your guests from the rain when you’re standing on the front steps searching for your keys. Your guests will appreciate the shelter when they’re standing there waiting for you to open the door. In addition to protecting you and guests, a front door awning will also protect your steps and front porch from the rain, reducing the chances of wood rot or erosion.

Protect Your Belongings from UV Rays
If your front door has door lights, the sun’s rays can, over time, damage the carpeting, floor and furniture that lie in their direct path. In a surprisingly short time, you can see the fading effects of the sun’s UV rays where they fall on your carpet and furniture. A front door awning blocks the rays and protects your carpets, floors and upholstery. You’ll get even more benefit if you include window awnings on the side of the house that gets direct sunlight most of the day.

And, Of Course, They’re Pretty
In addition to the practical benefits you’ll get from installing a door awning over your front door, you’ll also get an aesthetic boost. A well-made awning that fits your home’s architectural style and color scheme will boost the curb appeal of your home and add to its value.

If you’re looking for the best in Fort Lauderdale door awnings, we at A to Z Awnings offer a wide range of awning styles and colors that are perfect for your Fort Lauderdale home. In addition to standard styles, we can create custom styles, including retractable awnings that are ideal for Fort Lauderdale’s variable weather conditions.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

How Fort Lauderdale Awning Companies Improve Your Home or Business

If you want your home or business to look better but cannot afford an extensive renovation, Fort Lauderdale awning companies can drastically improve the look of your structure by adding a beautiful custom awning. Awnings are available in an almost unlimited number of colors and shapes, so you can get the awning that is perfect for your home or business.

By Making Your Business More Visible

Fort Lauderdale business awnings can raise the visibility of your business, making it stand out from the rest. When your business name is prominently displayed on an awning on your main customer entrance, customers find you more easily. And should there be an emergency on your business property, responders will have an easier time finding your business if your business name and street number are clearly visible on your awning.

By Increasing Customer Comfort

A simple awning over your front entrance provides a nice transition from the outside to the inside of your business, giving customers a place to close their umbrellas and providing a cooler transition on hot days. If your café has an outdoor seating area, an awning can make this area more comfortable and allow you to use it more days of the year. Fort Lauderdale business awnings are one of the best investments you can make in customer comfort.

By Expanding Available Living Space

At home, an awning over a little-used patio can give you more space for dining, hosting guests, or simply enjoying the outdoors without the hot sun beating down. And if a light rain shower moves in when you're having a cookout, you won't have to shut everything down and go indoors. Make the most of your patio or deck with a beautiful new awning.

By Improving Energy Efficiency

By keeping direct sun off doors and windows, awnings reduce heat transfer from the outside of your home or business to the inside. Awnings make a great passive structure for improving energy efficiency by keeping you from having to run your air conditioning constantly. Awnings have been making buildings more comfortable since ancient times, and make sense today too.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Install Awnings on Your Office Building

When you own a business there are many things you need to remember and take care of. In addition to that, you are constantly attempting to upgrade your facilities and make your business better. There are, however, some upgrades you may want to consider making if your business is located in an area that is often hot and sunny, such as Fort Lauderdale. Awnings are a major item that should be added on to your building. They can offer protection and comfort, and are a great addition to any business.

Use the Outdoors

Installing Fort Lauderdale awnings gives you the chance to take advantage of any outdoor space you may have. You can then use the space to add an eating or seating area for your patrons or workers. This will let you use all your space in the most economical and efficient way possible.

Make it Look Good

Awnings can look bad if not installed properly, or if the color and pattern choosen clashes with the building.  They come in many different materials and many different colors. If you take the time to choose the right Fort Lauderdale commercial awnings it can even make your place of business more attractive. By finding the right material and style, Fort Lauderdale awnings can complement the building.

You Can Choose What You Want

If you do not want the awning year round you can purchase Fort Lauderdale awnings that are temporary. These can be removed when not needed, which affords you some flexibility and more choices in what material you want used as an awning. Or, you can choose to have a permanent awning installed, which limits your choice of materials but you do not have to worry about taking it on or off since it will always be attached.

Adding Fort Lauderdale commercial awnings will cost varying prices, depending on what material you choose. If you want it to be permanent, it will cost more but it can also be considered an investment. No matter if you pay a lot or a little for Fort Lauderdale awnings, the addition of it to your place of business only adds value.