Before you can benefit from the energy savings, weather protection and aesthetic appeal that awnings can provide, the right fabric must be chosen.

Here are five key factors to keep in mind when choosing an awning fabric for your Burlington, Ontario property:

 

The Weather

Here in Burlington, our summers are hot, and our springs are wet. Your awning should protect you from the weather elements without discolouring or ripping prematurely.

Darker coloured awnings absorb more heat and can make your outdoor living space warmer. Instead, choose a light coloured fabric that will reflect the harmful, hot UV rays. Although an awning should be stored in inclement weather, there may be times that it is left extended. Durable, water-resistant, lightweight and humidity-friendly acrylic fabrics can help prevent damage from happening.

Although great for commercial terraces due to their ability to completely prevent water penetration, vinyl awning fabrics trap heat and provide less air circulation.

The Property

It can be tempting to get overly creative with your fabric choice. But before you settle on a pattern, consider your awning’s size and the building it will be attached to.

Fabric stripes and blocks should be matched to the building size; if you have a smaller structure, check out patterns that feature small stripes or blocks and vice versa for larger structures. Lots of angles in your roofline? Keep the awning colour solid versus choosing a pattern.

The architectural style of the building also plays a factor. Contemporary styles benefit from scalloped edges and wave patterns, whereas traditional styles will look best with a fabric with clean lines.

Try your best to choose a pattern that complements your existing deck or patio furniture design.

The Moisture

Anything that gets constantly wet is at risk of developing mould and mildew. Awning fabric is no different! Once mould and mildew develop, fabric damage is not far behind.

To provide resistance to this unsightly damage and to prevent potential health hazards, install an awning fabric that is mould and mildew resistant. Acrylic is a great option!

The Maintenance

There’s already a lot of maintenance that you need to complete outside. Why add a high maintenance awning to your to-do list?

Vinyl-based awnings are known for their easy maintenance and ability to shed water. Whatever residue is left behind can be easily sprayed with water.

Similarly, acrylic cloth awnings are easy to care for, too. Lukewarm water and soft soap can quickly combat any dirt buildup.

To keep your awning in the best condition and to prevent dirt from becoming embedded, hose off the fabric with clean water once per month.

Natural materials such as cotton are the most labour intensive to maintain and keep in great condition.

Ready to reap the many benefits of having an installed awning at your Burlington home or business? The team at Jans Awning Products would love to show you the many fabric options in person. Contact our showroom today to learn more!

Smart technology in homes was once the domain of sci-fi movies or at least it was something that was reserved for only the very wealthy. But as technology improves and the price point comes down, we can expect smart home technology to become both more accessible and more common. Today we are seeing smart technology in everything from TVs to home security and climate control – and yes, even window treatments. And if you have never looked into (or perhaps even heard of Somfy sensors), you might want to consider them as they provide homeowners with several benefits.

 

While motorized controls for window treatments are not exactly new Somfy sensors, offer a whole host of other benefits:

 

1. Remote Controlled

Whether you are sitting across the room or you are out with friends, and you suddenly realize that you forgot to close your blinds, Somfy offers the convenience of being able to control your window treatments with your smartphone or tablet.

And windows that may be hard to reach? No problem, as long as you have your device opening and closing window treatments is easy.

2. Timed Controlled

Would you rather wake up to natural sunlight gently flooding your room or would you rather wake up to the screeching of an alarm clock? With the use of a programmable app, you can have your window treatments open in the morning and close in the evening.

You can even have them do this while you are away on vacation to help give the illusion that someone is home.

3. Weather Controlled

Did you know that Somfy sensors can even be programmed to react to the weather itself? If the day goes from being overcast to suddenly sunny, the shades can automatically lower in response to the change in weather. This ensures that your home stays climate controlled and even protects furniture and other items which might fade over time from exposure to UV rays.

4. Increased Privacy

Ever come out of the shower and realize that you left the window treatments of a street-facing (or neighbour facing) window open? Somfy sensors allow you to discreetly close the blinds without having to belly crawl across the room!

5. A Green Choice

Of course, there are times when you want ample sunlight in your home, but sunlight, when you don’t need it, can cost you big on your utility bills. Somfy lets you control how much sunlight your house gets, and as a result, there can be less strain on your HVAC system.

6. Increase Your Home’s Value

As smart technology and green features become more popular, homebuyers are going to look for these things in prospective homes increasingly. Somfy sensors will save you money on your utility bills and could even help you sell your home for a higher price when the time comes.

7. No Dangerous Cords

Cords on window treatments can pose safety risks for young children and pets. With motorized window treatment controls, these cords become obsolete.

Would you like to learn more about Somfy Sensors and get an estimate for your home or business? If so, contact Jans Awnings today.

During the summer months, rooftop patios and decks are the place to be. And while they offer expansive, beautiful views as far as the eye can see, they can quickly lead to discomfort without the proper shade protection. Avoid that from happening by installing one of the amazing shade options listed below.

Louvered Roofs

A louvered roof is a convenient, safe and highly stable shade option that uses integrated technology to enjoy the outdoors. From spring to fall, louvered roofs provide reliable and safe weather protection while incorporating natural light.

Known for their stability in wind and low maintenance requirements, louvered roofs are fully customizable. The hardtop option uses variably inclining aluminum lamellas to provide natural air circulation whereas the soft-top roof system features integrated folding awnings. Various colours, mounting variants and additional options including LED lighting, sliding glazing system and aluminum floor system are available.

Acrylic Patio Roofs

Acrylic patio roofs are a great shade solution that allows natural light in while stopping harmful UV rays and harsh weather. Constructed of durable acrylic sheets strong enough to support fans, lights and plants, quality acrylic patio roofs have warranties to protect against yellowing.

Compared to other shade options, acrylic patio roofs allow the highest light transmission, while being strong enough to support heavy snow loads. Energy savings, heat control and an even light distribution can also be experienced.

Retractable and Specialized Awnings

Awnings have been used for years to easily add shade to rooftop decks and patios.

Retractable awnings are available with manual or automated operation systems and lack poles that hinder your view. Available in numerous opening styles including semi-cassette, full cassette and narrow, retractable awnings are a dependable shade source that also offers style, function and durability.

Due to their large space capacity, terrace awnings are a great solution for providing both shade and rain protection to rooftop patios and decks. Terrace awnings offer excellent UV protection and are available in a range of top-quality, long-lasting textiles. Additional fabric options are available that feature water and dirt-resistant coatings.

Mobile awnings provide a freestanding shading source that can be used in countless domestic and commercial settings. Using jointed arm technology and either a crank or motor, mobile awnings cover large areas of up to 40 metres squared with complete UV protection. Lacking middle posts, your view is not hindered in any way. Many different support options, fixing systems, fabric options and colour combinations are available to create a secure, fashionable shading solution that fits your space.

 

When it comes to choosing the best shade for your deck or patio, we can help! With our wide selection of awnings, patio roofs and more, you’ll be able to comfortably enjoy your rooftop patio or deck in no time at all. To learn more about our awning products, contact us today.

Sitting outside in the summertime under the shade of your awning and watching the birds can be a beautiful thing. But when you have an awning, watching the birds is something you want to do from a distance. After all, the last thing you want is messy bird droppings on and around your awning. These can be corrosive and cause permanent marks. And you really want to avoid having birds build a nest in your retractable awning as they are not only messy, but the birds will start to become aggressive with people once their chicks hatch.

 

So, what can you do to ensure that you can enjoy your awning while also enjoying the birds from a safe distance? Here are our top five tips for protecting your awning from birds.

1. Use bird spikes.

Bird spikes are painted metal or plastic spikes. Attach them to your awning, and they will act as a deterrent to keep birds from landing. While it might sound a bit mean, bird spikes are widely considered to be a humane deterrent for birds. The tips of the spikes are blunted to help avoid any actual injury.

2. Apply a non-drying repellent.

If you don’t like the idea of attaching spikes to your awning, there are non-toxic repellents that can be applied to your awning. These repellents do not fully dry and take on a sticky texture that birds do not like. The main drawback to this method is that you will have to spend a little extra time cleaning your awning before you bring it in for the winter.

3. Use a scare device.

Another tactic to help keep birds away from your awning is to use a scare device such as a plastic owl or rubber snake.  If you use this strategy, you should be sure to move the device every once in a while, to keep birds from becoming accustomed to its presence. And if plastic animals are not your thing, a moving wind device or something that catches the light may also be effective.

4. Use bird netting.

Placing bird netting over your awning will make it difficult for birds to land and help to keep them away from your awning. If you do choose netting however, it is very important to make sure that it is properly installed so as not to trap birds and make the situation worse.

5. Use a motion activated sprinkler.

Another idea is to purchase a motion activated sprinkler from your local hardware or garden store. These sprinklers can detect the presence of a bird and send out a short burst of water which should scare them away. Just be sure to place the sprinkler in a location where birds will activate it, but people won’t!

Remember, by taking good care of your awning you will be helping to ensure that it brings you and your family enjoyment for years to come. And taking care of your awning includes protecting it from birds.

For quality awnings in Burlington, Contact Jans Awning Products today!

From UV protection to home cooling, you’ve come to enjoy the many benefits that your retractable awning offers. But over the last couple of years, your awning has started to look its age. Whether it’s started to rip or fade, you’re beginning to wonder whether an awning replacement is in the near future or not.

Before you rush out to purchase a new one, it’s worth looking into whether a repair can be made. Here’s how to best determine if you should be recovering or replacing your fabric awning.

How to Make the Decision to Replace or Recover Your Awning

There comes a time when recovering an awning is no longer a feasible option. Although an awning’s aluminum frame is typically very durable, external pressure or heavy weather can sometimes create damage. If your awning’s metal frame becomes bent or damaged, you’re most likely looking at having to replace the entire awning.

But if your metal frame is still in like-new condition, then you should be able to recover your awning. Although you could always choose to recover it in the same fabric as it was originally, this could also be a good opportunity to choose something new.

Choose from Hundreds of Colours and Patterns for Your Awning Recover

The sky’s the limit when it comes to choosing a fabric for recovering your awning!

At Jans Awnings, our wide variety of quality fabrics can withstand the fluctuating weather conditions in the Burlington area. By partnering with only the best fabric suppliers, we can confidently offer you the best acrylic and solution-dyed fabrics available. Following the right care, your newly recovered awning will last for many years to come!

The acrylic fabrics we use are known for their ability to remain bright, even after hours in the sun. Choose from our selection of hundreds of colours and patterns of these superior acrylic fabrics.

Solution-dyed fabric is another popular option to use when recovering your fabric awning. During its manufacturing process, colour and fibre become one so that a long-lasting colour fabric is created.

Located in Burlington, Jans Awnings is the area’s leading company for awnings and shade products. Be sure to contact us at Jans Awnings for all your awning repair services. If you already have an awning frame in great condition, we can easily replace the fabric using our awning recover services. Contact us today for more information!

Awnings offer homeowners both style and beauty while bringing valuable shade to your home. Awnings protect your family from harmful UV rays as much as 94%. They extend the living space of your home, so it’s like adding a low-cost room extension. They can add charm and personality to your home and transform a plain façade into something special. Awnings can set your home apart from the rest.

 

 

Fabric & Colours

There are numerous sleek, innovative fabric designs known for their durability. Sunbrella® and Dickson manufacture the fabric used in most high-quality awnings. Their materials are recognized for their superior fade and stain resistance plus it’s easy to clean and maintain.

Along with the many benefits of installing a residential awning that protects your living space from the blazing sun, your awning will also contribute towards making your home more stylish by choosing an awning colour that blends with the exterior colour and décor of your home. By picking an awning colour that complements the usage of the covered area, you will add a touch of panache to the exterior.

Shade Coverage for Outdoor Kitchens

If you love cooking and entertaining outdoors while surrounded by the sounds of nature, then a functional, custom-built outdoor kitchen is the ideal renovation. It will improve your outdoor living space, create a stylish atmosphere of relaxation, enhance your outdoor experience and increase the property value of your home.

By adding an awning over the built-in-kitchen, not only will you get much-needed shade from the hot sun while preparing meals, you will be adding a breathtaking splash of colour to enhance the cooking, dining and entertaining area. You can add planters of flowers with matching colour tones for a spectacular visual appearance that will delight everyone.

Window Coverings

You can transform your backyard to be a breathtaking visual location by adding awnings to your windows in addition to your deck or patio.

Custom awnings can be designed to fit any window sizes. Window awnings are great additions to residential properties because the custom awnings are available in a variety of awning fabric colours and fabric weaves to enhance the visual appeal of your residential property and provide better value for your home. You can choose the same fabric for the windows or mix it up with contrasting colours for your windows and patio awning.

With your retractable awnings or fixed awnings, you’ll have better control over window shades and level of glare protection. You’ll have the opportunity to protect your home and furniture from damaging ultraviolet rays. Awnings function better than interior blinds when it comes to window shades and ultraviolet ray’s protection as they protect your home before the sun reaches it.

Make Your Backyard Your Visual Paradise

Awnings offer you so many options for making your backyard come to life with a breathtaking visual effect that is stunning. Whether it is a patio awning or an awning covering your windows and doors, your backyard will become a showplace for you, your friends and family to enjoy.

Looking for an awning for your backyard? Contact us at Jans Awning Products at 905-335-3733

Awnings offer homeowners both style and beauty while bringing valuable shade to your home. Awnings protect your family from harmful UV rays as much as 94%. They extend the living space of your home, so it’s like adding a low-cost room extension. They can add charm and personality to your home and transform a plain façade into something special. Awnings can set your home apart from the rest.

 

Awnings have proven to substantially lower air conditioning bills plus protect your furnishings and carpet from fading. In addition to their attractiveness, awnings keep your home much cooler during the heat of the summer months. They help reduce air conditioning costs by decreasing the amount of heat that infiltrates the inside of your home by as much as 77%.

In addition to all of these attractive features and benefits to the interior and exterior of your home, awnings offer another valuable advantage for improving your health and lifestyle.

Protects your skin from damaging UV rays

If you’re protective about your health, it can be tempting to stay indoors when the sun’s rays are known to be at their strongest. However, by installing a retractable awning, there is no reason not to take full advantage of the summer weather.

Awnings are a beautiful and unique shading product that aids in the prevention of sun-induced damage to the skin. Sunbrella^® fabrics have earned the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation. This seal means the fabric meets specific criteria, making them a safe and effective product for sun protection. Awnings will reduce your risk of skin cancer and keep you looking younger longer.

Creates a relaxing place to unwind

With the hustle and bustle of today, where many of us are stressed out, awnings can help to reverse the stress that affects everyone.

Awnings can create a cool, comfortable space that is stress-free for relaxing and enjoying your backyard. Your deck or patio will turn into a refuge of calm relaxation and a serene place to escape when life becomes too hectic.

Defines an outdoor area for socialization

Awnings allow you to extend your usable outdoor space and make it the perfect gathering spot for family and friends. Spending time with family and friends leads to a more fulfilled life. Awnings create a comfortable place to gather outdoors to talk and laugh with family and friends.

Summertime is the most opportune time to have barbeques, outdoor lunches and dinners with family and friends. Awnings provide a comfortable, shaded area where everyone is comfortably protected from the heat of the sizzling summer days. Because sunset takes longer to occur during the summer months, awnings provide a greater amount of valuable time outdoors, so spend time with family and friends and enjoy.

Let’s you enjoy the fresh air

When you get out in the fresh air, you are getting away from the pollutants and germs that might be lurking inside your home. Breathing in fresh air from the outdoors is not only healthier, but it also increases happiness and reduces stress, improving the quality of your life.

According to one source, installation of an awning can also reduce the temperature of shaded exterior areas by nearly 20 degrees as compared to those areas directly in the sun’s rays. This makes retractable awnings an energy-efficient investment for many years to come.

Enjoy the benefits of better health

Whether it’s the protection from the harsh summer rays, a protected outdoor area for family and friends to gather, a respite for calm and serenity or all that fresh air that makes being outside worthwhile, the health benefits to installing an awning are tremendous.