Roll Shutters vs. Retractable Screens

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You might have heard the terms roll shutters and retractable screens thrown around when looking for window treatments, but has anyone stopped to tell you the difference? Do you know which one is right for you? These terms might be used interchangeably by some companies but they are not the same thing, so before you make a large, potentially custom, purchase here’s what you need to know between roll shutters and retractable screens.

Roll Shutters

roll shutters

What are they?

Roll shutters are window treatments, like retractable screens. But unlike retractable screens, they are installed on the outside of a window or your home. They are offered in a variety of colours and are custom fit to the size of your windows to ensure that it looks as if they were meant to be there. Roll shutters are incredibly durable and come with manufacturer’s warranties but be sure to check out exactly what is and isn’t covered in the warranty.

How do I know if I need them?

Roll shutters are usually more for protection purposes. They are installed on the outside of your window to ensure the glass doesn’t break, and they help prevent damage to the frame. Many people who own cottages or cabins install these so that during the off-season they can protect their property from any inclement weather or hazards that would potentially damage or break windows. Often, retail shop owners with windows in the front of their property also use this style of window covering while business is closed to prevent robberies. Overall these are a great, decorative option to protect windows and frames from damage as you cannot always be at your cottage or business.

Retractable Screens

rollscreen

What are they?

Retractable screens are a decorative option that you can add to just about any window in your home. They are retractable so easily removed – either manually or automatically with a remote. These screens are installed on the inside of a window and act to provide privacy and even help make your home a little more efficient keeping the heat/cool in, depending on the season.

What’s so great about them?

Retractable screens give privacy without completely blocking your view like traditional blackout curtains would. They roll up into a 5” box, so they are easily out of the way if you want to let the light in, and you’ll save money with the added energy efficiency. These can be customized to the size of your windows. What’s great is that they work for areas even without windows – decks, patios, gazebos and even garages! These screens provide shade to enjoy the warm weather without having to sit out with the hot sun. These screens are best for those who enjoy spending time outside during the warmer weather but don’t necessarily want to be exposed to the sun’s rays for hours on end. Or, they could be used in a sunroom where the shade is occasionally desired.

Roll shutters and retractable screens will add so much to your home, cottage or business – you simply need to decide which option best suits your needs. Both provide privacy and protection from UV damage and can be customized for your home.

7 Benefits of Roll Shutters

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Among homeowners, roll shutters have become a popular choice because they are incredibly versatile: they come in a variety of colours, and they can be fitted over existing windows and doors. With this versatility, it means that no matter what style of décor your home has or what size windows were previously installed you can find roll shutters that will work for your home. If you still aren’t sold on the idea of roll shutters here are some benefits to help you decide if they are a good choice for your home.

living room roll shutters

 

Keep it Quiet

If you live in a busy neighbourhood, or maybe the kids in your area just make a whole lot of noise, you might find yourself wishing for a quieter home. Roll shutters – when closed over the windows and doors – can help keep noise out of your home and give you a more relaxing and calm environment.

Lower the Bills

Having roll shutters can increase the efficiency of your home by keeping the heat inside during the winter, and outside during the hot summer months. By keeping the temperature controlled and even, you will notice a decrease in the utility bills since your home’s heating and cooling won’t have to work as hard to heat up or cool down the same area.

Keep the Windows for Longer

Having roll shutters will help to maintain your windows which means a noticeable amount of time will extend the lifetime of your windows. They will also keep them looking super clean by keeping dirt and debris off the windows.

Options, Options, Options

Roll shutters are designed to open and close to let a lot or a little light in, but how you achieve that is totally up to you. Some roll shutters are operated via remote; some are done automatically (on a timer), and others are controlled manually. The options for how you achieve your desired result are completely endless – plus the styles and colours to choose from make it that much better.

Affordable Window Covering Option

Sometimes drapes and curtains can be incredibly expensive, depending on the size of your windows and the style you’re looking for. Roll shutters are an affordable option to many of the window treatments available out there, especially if you prefer to not have any drapes or curtains on your windows when you want the sun shining in.

Control the Light

Sometimes you want the sun shining in, and sometimes you don’t. You might even want to have a little bit of light during the day without the full sun shining in. With roll shutters, you can control the amount of sun you allow into your house at any given time.

Protect Your Home

In areas that are prone to harsh weather – storms, hurricanes or blizzards – roll shutters can work as protection. By closing the shutters, they will prevent windows from being shattered or debris coming through the windows.

Roll shutters add both style and function to your home, and they can replace expensive window treatments should you decide you don’t want that as an option for your home. No matter what your style is, there are so many options for colour and type that will suit your home.

Caring for Your Awning Canopy

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With spring and summer right around the corner, our thoughts turn to those warm sunny days in our backyards. What better way to lull the hours away than under the comfort and shade of a retractable awning.

Outdoor Awning

 

You can comfortably enjoy time on your patio during the warm summer months because an awning can provide maximum protection from the heat of the scorching sun. Adding an awning to your exterior space is a very inexpensive way to extend your outdoor living area.

Awnings offer both protection and beauty to any patio while helping to reduce energy costs. They can add charm and personality to your home and transform a plain façade into something special. Awnings can increase the value of your home because they set your home apart from the rest.

In addition to their attractiveness, awnings keep your home cooler during 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%. Awnings protect the interior furnishings from bleaching out by the sun’s rays and reduce sunlight glare through your windows by 94%.

Even with these advances in technology and material, extreme weather including sun, rain and wind can wreak havoc with your awning’s longevity, so caring for your awning canopy is important. Here are a few tips to help you along the way.

Cleaning the Awning

You want to make sure that the fabric is cleaned, looking fresh and dry before retracting the awning. With a gentle spray from the hose, or a broom, remove any leftover loose debris on the awning and begin cleaning the awning from the bottom up. Wash all parts of the awning before tackling the cleaning of the fabric.

If there is dirt on the awning, use warm water and a soft bristled brush along with a mild soap, like Ivory Flakes, but be certain that the water is just warm, not hot, and no more than 37 degrees Celsius. Stay away from any harsh detergents because this can damage the fabric of the awning.

Once the cleaning is completed, rinse thoroughly to remove any residue on the fabric since leftover soap will leave marks and a chalky appearance. You will also see any missed spots once it’s dried. Always allow the awning to dry out naturally and completely before retracting it.

Cleaning the Frame

To prolong the life of the frame, you first want to wipe it down with a soft cloth after washing it down and before retracting. Be sure to check that the bolts and nuts are not loose in any way from their use during the summer months. By checking the mechanics, you will have an awning ready to properly extend the following spring.

Since the gear operation (aluminum components) has a durable finish and the joints are self-lubricating, there is no requirement to lubricate; however, lubricating the moving parts yearly with a silicone lubricant is a good idea for maintaining a quiet operation. The common spot for lubrication is at the end of the roller tube and opposite of the motor.

Since the valance has the ability to flap around during windy, inclement winter weather conditions and tear over time, some homeowners tie down the valance to prevent this from happening. There is also the option to purchase an accessory called The Sunboot.  As its name implies, it is a cover that encloses the entire retracted awning. The cover protects the awning from nasty weather conditions, keeping it clean and dry until you’re ready to use it again.

Final Word

An awning can last for many years if properly cleaned, lubricated and protected. They are designed for durability so that you can enjoy their beauty and protection from the sun’s harsh summer rays.  With a little time and maintenance care at the end of each season, your awning will perform flawlessly and to your highest expectations.

Adding a Patio Awning to Your Home for Style and Function

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The decision to buy your home might have been largely influenced by the size and functionality of the backyard it comes with, but what you might now have realized was that space isn’t always accessible due to the overhead sun or any of the other elements you might face in your city.

Patio Awning for your Home

 

Having a large space outside your home can provide you with a lot of extra living space when it’s used well and designed in a way that allows you to use it almost all year round. Adding an awning to your home can provide you with this extra living space, for a few reasons, so that you can enjoy the outdoors as much as you want almost any time you want.

Here are some tips, information, and reasons why adding an awning over your existing patio will provide both function and style to your home.

Patio Awnings Provide a Polished Look

Having a patio outside your home is great – it gives you a designated space to have outdoor furniture and host parties and BBQs at your home. Adding an awning, though, can bring your outdoor space together for you. Awnings are available in multiple colours and styles, so you can find one that either matches or compliments the outside colour of your home. This will make your backyard look like it’s styled and polished, plus it gives shade from the sun or protection from a summer rain.

Awnings are Not Necessarily a Permanent Fixture

With awnings, you can select to either have a permanent one (if you want), or a retractable one. Sometimes you might want to sit in the sun and take in the rays, other days it might be too hot, and you just want some shade while enjoying the warm weather. A retractable awning allows you to have the option. Retractable awnings are available in manual and power – so you can either have a switch to move it in and out or use a lever-type system to roll it out. When you make this purchase, you can decide what’s right for you.

Patio Awnings can Work with Existing Features

If you already have a gazebo or pergola, you can buy an awning to work with what you have. You don’t have to get rid of the structure already on your patio – especially if you love it – in order to create shade and a cool place to spend time during those hot days. You can purchase retractable awnings that will attach to or cover existing patio features like these, so don’t worry – you don’t have to choose!

Protection from the Elements

Awnings – whether fixed or retractable – will provide protection from the sun during those hot summer months. This means you and your family can enjoy the outside without being constantly exposed to UV rays, but it will also protect your furniture from being exposed and prevent fading.

Whether you want to add a fixed or retractable awning to your home, you can do so without compromising the look of your outdoor space. Even if you previously weren’t able to use your backyard because it’s too hot and the sun is just beating down on you, then an awning extends your living space by creating a cool, functional and gorgeous space to enjoy the warm weather without being exposed to damaging UV rays.

Awnings provide both function and style to any outdoor space, and since they come in a large variety of size, patterns and colours. To have an awning installed in your Burlington, Oakville or Hamilton home, contact Jans Awning Products today.

How Awning Colours Brand Your Business

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You can improve the look and exterior living space of your business by installing a retractable awning. Not only will it offer maximum protection from the sun, it will enhance your business brand when you add distinct colours reflective of your company. By adding a memorable coloured awning to your business storefront, you are creating a unique branding opportunity.

colourful quarterball awning

 

An awning strategically placed on your building creates sustainable savings from the merciless summer heat through lowering cooling costs. In addition to people noticing your vibrant, branded awning, your return on investment accrues over time with a controllable way to manage your interior cooling expenses. Regardless of whether your business is an office building or a store-front retail space, your establishment will benefit from both its exclusive, vivid appearance and utility savings.

Awnings can Create a New Look

Adding a retractable awning to your business gives you the opportunity to show off a new look. A retractable awning allows you the chance to change the face and feel of your commercial space with a customized appearance. A customized coloured awning provides a dramatic effect to the outside of your company and offers the impression of a major renovation that can attract customers.

In addition, an awning affords a business owner the unique opportunity to expand their outside space into a more usable environment. It can provide shade and shelter for both customers and employees alike. In the case of restaurants with patio or cafes, retractable awnings are particularly beneficial because they provide their customers with more comfortable surroundings as a shelter from environmental factors.

The Power of Colour

Any strategic marketing team will tell you that colour plays a significant role in our thinking process. Whether we realize it or not, our minds are programmed to respond to colour. When colours are used commercially, it is an instantaneous method of conveying a message and makes branding more powerful.

Surveys show that colour is the first thing that people remember most about a brand. The next items remembered are shapes, symbols, numbers and words. Research suggests that 60% of the time, people either like or dislike a sign on colour alone.

Colour also plays a significant role in purchases made by consumers. This notable fact is important because colour can increase brand recognition by up to 80%! A recent study, entitled “Impact of Colour in Marketing“, concluded that consumers make a snap judgment up to 90% of the time for a product or service based on colour.

Businesses need to recognize the impact of colour choices when deciding how to market their companies. Choosing the right colour should be the most important consideration when empowering your business. Additionally, there is a definite correlation that exists between brands and colour. This connection also hinges on whether there appears to be a perceived appropriateness of the colour being used for the product or service being sold.

While companies have a huge selection of colours available to choose among to define their businesses, here are a few basics and descriptions taken from the article by entrepreneur.com.

  • Red demands to be noticed as a physical, strong, high energy colour, which calls for action.
  • Orange is optimistic, social, inspires enthusiasm and suggests affordability.
  • Yellow is illuminating and uplifting, which stimulates analytical processes and mental clarity.
  • Green is associated with nature, health, and healing. It balances the emotions and inspires compassion.
  • Blue is sincere, trustworthy and loyal and dislikes confrontation. Blue exhibits an inner security and confidence.

Marketing Your Business with Awnings

A distinctive, memorable retractable awning can help to enhance your marketing and advertising because branding and awnings go hand-in-hand. They make your business stand out in comparison to other local enterprises, giving your company a unique look while enhancing the attractive architecture of your building.

Business Awnings in Burlington, Ontario

Although installing awnings on your commercial property might appear initially costly, it’s a long-term investment that you’ll be glad you did to enhance your branding power and get you noticed. You reduce energy costs, renovate your space with a new, fresh look and advertise your business with a colourful, unique, tasteful custom awning that will help drive customers to your location.

For awning installation in the Hamilton, Toronto, Burlington and Oakville area, contact Jans Awning Products today.

Should I Take my Awning Down in the Winter?

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With the sunny days of summer behind you, you will no doubt be counting the days until the next warm season arrives. You may miss the warmth summer can bring, but for many of us, the summer heat can also put a damper on warm weather festivities. This is where shade comes in. If your choice of shade is an awning, you’re probably wondering if yours is an all season awning or if it needs to be stored away for the winter.

 

awning

 

While your awning provides protection in the sun and often from a light rain, the weather will sometimes force you to retract your favourite shade structure. Is closing your awning in the offseason good enough or will you need to remove it all together when the cold sets in the white stuff begin to fly? The short answer is no.

Protecting your awning in the winter doesn’t necessarily mean removing it all together. It is important to retract your awning when not in use during the winter. An unexpected snowfall can leave your fabric awning screaming from the weight if it is not retracted.

When retracting your all season awning, ensure that all fabric is tucked into the housing so that nothing is left to the elements. Invest in a good winter cover for your all-season awning. Keeping it covered and out of reach of snow, wind, and ice will help to prolong the life of your awning for many years to come.

There are a couple of instances when removing your awning for winter is your best choice. If your awning has seen better days and is in need of repair, the extra strain that the cold, or snow and ice can put on your awning should be avoided. A cracked housing, for instance, will let snow and ice into the mechanism.

If your fabric awning does not retract, it’s not an all season awning and will need to come down for the winter. With the nasty weather winter can bring, your awning will thank you if you take the time to tuck it away until the warmer months are once again upon us. If you are removing your awning, be sure to clean and fully dry it before putting it away. Do not store in plastic as this can trap moisture and encourage mold and mildew.

Your awning protects you from the heat and sun that the summer can bring. Take a little care in the winter with your all-season awning so that it can continue to provide that comfort for years to come. If you live in the Burlington, Hamilton, or Ancaster region of Ontario, Jans Awning Products can help!

What is The Life Expectancy of an Awning

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If an awning has made all the difference in your outdoor space, you know the value a great shade option can add to your summer months. Your awning allows you to enjoy more time outside but how long will your awning continue to provide you this essential protection and can you ever live without an awning again?

Backyard Awning Providing Shade

 

An awning is a great addition to any home. Whether an awning is installed to keep the sun and heat off the house or to keep the sun and heat from you and your loved ones, an awning pairs well with decks, patios, and windows. If you’ve invested in an awning for your property, you likely spent plenty of time researching style, colour, model, size, and location. Once the purchase is made and the awning is installed you soon start to enjoy the protection that awnings provide. You don’t ever want to do without it again but how long will that awning last? You will need to consider many factors when trying to determine how long you will have with your precious shade giving structure.

Awning Frame

If you’ve purchased your awning from a reputable company, then quality won’t be an issue and you can expect to enjoy your awning for many years. Wind and rain can be your awnings worst enemy but a sturdy metal construction should withstand both for many years to come. Awning frames are made of aluminum and will often last a lifetime. Their moving parts and any motor will be the first to age. Many awnings come with ten plus year warranties providing a little assurance along with that shade. Ensure your awning is safely tucked away during storms to avoid any damage. If properly maintained, your awning frame will not fail you.

Awning Fabric

The fabric is another thing altogether. If you’ve invested in an awning, you have already likely been through several umbrellas. Fabric that is not quality and isn’t intended for the intense heat of the summer will literally disintegrate. Fabrics that are used for awnings are fabrics that are outdoor fabrics. They are thicker and more durable. They are fade and stain resistant and will hold up to all the heat the sun has to offer. With proper cleaning and care your awning fabric will generally last 5 to 15 years and many will come with a warranty.

The life span of your awning will depend greatly on how it is treated. Once a month, inspect and likely clean your awning. This will go a long way in ensuring it stays in good repair for a long time, keeping you cool for years to come.

Keep out Mosquitoes with Retractable Screens

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This spring has been a particularly long, wet one, but in the past week in Burlington, we’ve seen some promising warm temperatures. With the warmth and the rain, we will soon be battling some of those not so appealing aspects of summer. Pesky mosquitoes are those unwanted guests at the barbecue, pool party and horseshoe tournament. Why not create an outdoor space that is bug-free and comfortable.

Mosquito on hand

 

“How do I get this bug free zone?”, you might ask. With retractable screens of course. If you don’t know much about retractable screens, you aren’t alone. The options for keeping those bugs from ruining your summer are ever increasing and retractable screens, though not new to the scene, are a big trend in outdoor living.

Retractable screens, while attractive and convenient, also:

  • Provide UV protection
  • Keep the mosquitos out
  • Increase privacy

Retractable screens keep the heat of the sun off you, your family, and your home. When the sun heats up the home throughout the day, temperatures rise inside. This heat, day after day, can have your air conditioner working overtime. This, in turn, can be expensive throughout the season. Retractable screens can keep the sun off your home and the heat out of the house.

Mosquitos and other bugs can ruin a barbecue. As the sun sets, you may no longer need to be protected from the heat of the summer sun, but now you have a new problem. Mosquitos can drive you inside on an evening that is otherwise gorgeous. Retractable screens will virtually eliminate this problem, keeping the party outside, longer.

Retractable screens are tinted and add privacy along with all the other benefits. Around the spa or simply on your deck, the added privacy that roll screens provide will help set the mood and make your outdoor space an intimate one.

Retractable screens can be used on the deck, patio or even the garage. These screens will keep the mosquitos out while increasing your comfort of the outdoors. Bringing the indoors out can extend your season, and retractable screens will help you do this.

You might choose to simply provide an enclosure for that spa that will keep you in the water longer, without the company of unwanted guests. Or you may choose a complete retractable screen room. All provide the privacy, protection and cooling that any great gathering requires in the heat of summer.

Retractable screens don’t just keep the mosquitoes away, they themselves go away when not wanted. Being retractable, retractable screens are there for when they are needed and tuck away when they aren’t.

Retractable screens make a great addition to any outdoor space!

If you are interested in extending your time outdoors, with Retractable Screens, contact Jans Awning Products today. Since 1966 Jans Awning Products has been servicing the Burlington, Oakville and Hamilton area with high quality outdoor products such as retractable screens, roll shutters and awnings.

Patio Roofs Not Just for Your Grandma

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We all remember those multicoloured aluminum roofs at our Grandma’s house. Heck, many still exist. No one can say those things weren’t sturdy. Although they provided much-needed shade, let’s face it. They were ugly.

Today’s options for shelter from the sun have evolved. They are much more pleasing to the eye while still doing the job of cooling both the outdoors and the inside of your home. There are shelter options out there for any need and taste. Finding the right one to fulfill your needs and taste is key.

outdoor patio roof

 

Patio Awnings

Retractable cloth awnings can provide that unique design quality to any outdoor space. These awnings can be mounted just about anywhere and come in a variety of colours. The selection of fabric and colour are near endless and these fabrics are designed specifically for the outdoors, providing shelter from both the sun and light rain. A retractable awning can be manual or electric and can come with remote control.

Awnings are still a big hit and are much more attractive. Awnings still come in the traditional aluminum material and can be fixed like those from the past or louvered to provide a multitude of shade options. Those louvered roofs can be powered by electricity or solar and of course like everything nowadays, they can come with a remote. This remote can be operated from outside or inside the home.

Aluminium Patio Roofs

If you opt for a more permanent patio roof, you might consider some of the options that are available to you with that roof. Skylights aren’t just for the inside of your home. A skylight can provide shelter while still giving your that great view. A patio roof will have everything your other roofs have, ensuring that it protects not just you, but your home. With built in eaves and optional skylights, your patio roof can be customized to work with and around your chimney or bay windows. Unlike many shelter options, an aluminum patio roof will be custom made to accommodate your unique needs.

Patio roofs are sleek, stylish, contemporary and complement any outdoor space. They are maintenance free and are strong enough to withstand a great load of snow. Patio roofs aren’t just for patios. These modern aluminum roofs are being used in carports as well as porches.

Increasing your enjoyment of the outdoors comes in many forms. If the elements and temperature of your outdoor environment are keeping you inside, investing in a more permanent solution to these woes might be the solution. Enjoying all that you have worked so hard for is key. A patio roof will have you outside, enjoying your yard, your neighbours and your little piece of heaven.

Are you interested in an Aluminium Patio Roof or Awning?  Contact Jans Awning Products.  Located in Burlington, we serve the surrounding areas like Oakville, Guelph, Niagara and Hamilton.

Benefits of Indoor Awnings in your Commercial Space

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When we talk about awnings for shops, restaurants, retail outlets, or other commercial buildings, we usually imagine an awning on the front of the building. Traditionally they were built to take the reflection of the sun off the window to allow people to see what is inside the shop, as well as to shelter people (and the building and windows) from the rain and other weather extremes.

Red and white striped awning on a black background

 

That is why some might think it a bit odd to have awnings on the interior of the building – where there are no sun or weather extremes, but times have changed. Decorative indoor awnings can actually be very useful in commercial buildings to, for example, highlight a particular area inside your commercial space.

Specific Areas

Imagine that you have a shop with a special promotion, a restaurant with a Champagne bar, a coat check-in, or a special tasting area. How will you make them stand out for all to see? By using an indoor awning, you can attract people’s attention right away, effectively signalling ‘a shop within a shop’. You can attract attention and isolate a particular part of your area – usually one which is set for a particular purpose. With an indoor awning, you can separate a ‘special’ part of your commercial area away from the rest and highlight it.

Creating ‘looks’

Decorative indoor awnings are especially useful if you are wanting to create an ‘olde worlde’ look –  a sweet shop straight out of a Dickens novel, as they were typical of this era, or perhaps a village greengrocers, but you can also customize your awning to make it more rustic looking, more ‘premiere’, or something in between.

In other words, you can make of it what you want. An indoor awning gives you the flexibility to enhance the branding or style that you are already using within the commercial space and giving you the perfect tool to get a specific area noticed by your customers. Maybe you want an old-style lemonade tasting area – in which case you might want a traditional pink, stripy awning, or are giving away high-quality promotion items, in which case you might go for a minimal black and gold awning. Specialty awnings can be made and designed to suit any need.

Another benefit to having an area separated using indoor awnings is that the designs can be changed easily and swapped to suit promotions, branding changes, or style changes, giving owners more flexibility.

Any business which is looking to specifically highlight and attract people to a certain part of a shop, restaurant, or other commercial areas should consider using decorative indoor awnings to achieve this. By choosing the right style and colour scheme you will attract attention and your business’s unique branding.

If you think that indoor awnings could help to boost your business and are looking to find out more about it, why not get in touch with us today? Our team of experts at Jans Awning Products will help you create the right indoor awning for your business. We service Burlington and Oakville.