Let Eclipse Shading Systems help you prepare to protect your investment into a new retractable awning.
As a homeowner, you are well aware of household maintenance and the importance of staying on top of it. From simple chores, such as mowing the lawn or sweeping a walk, to more complicated projects such as cleaning gutters or inspecting HVAC systems, a little maintenance goes a long way toward saving you money.
Our patio awnings are no different. While they are made with premium materials for long life and durability, taking care of them will help extend their life even more. Awnings protect your home, family, and property from the rays of the sun and help to keep your home cool and comfortable. But doing these things season after season, year after year can be harmful to your awning’s fabric and frame.
Are you considering a patio awning for your home? Let’s take a look at your awning’s biggest natural foes and get tips for how to avoid them in this list of the most common awning problems.
Mold
Slow and deadly, mold is one of the most common enemies of awning fabric. The daily elements can leave your awning wet and warm, and if it doesn’t dry properly, mold can start to grow quickly. There are some fabrics that can develop mold easily, while others are more resistant to it.
If you see mold, use our awning care tips before it completely ruins your fabric. One of the most important things you’ll need to do is to remember to let your awning dry thoroughly before you retract it or store it.
Sun Damage
Another enemy of your awning is the sun. As your awning blocks the rays of the sun from your home and patio, it comes into contact with a lot of UV rays, which can cause wear on your fabrics, as well as fading. Fortunately, at Eclipse Shading Systems, we use superior materials to fight this fight for you.
- We recommend choosing fade-resistant Sunbrella fabric for your retractable awning to make sure it looks great for years to come.
- The heat of constant summer sun can also cause your awning frame to melt over time and cause mechanical problems with your outdoor awning. That’s not an issue with Eclipse retractable awnings, which are made with ultra-durable frames by Llaza of Spain.
Rain
Rain is a serious issue for awnings, particularly in wetter climates. Awnings don’t just hide you from the sun; they also allow you to sit outside and enjoy even the dampest of days.
But a badly constructed awning can capture rain instead of directing it away from your home. As it captures puddles of rain, your awning will put pressure on the frame, causing warping, malfunctions, and even breaking your expensive awning.
Our tough awning frames at Eclipse don’t have this problem, fortunately. In addition, we make sure every awning is constructed to avoid rain capture so it can dry off quickly when the weather clears up.
Still, ensure that you don’t create bad drainage channels. During installation and planning of your deck awning, consider where the water will run off, so that it doesn’t get redirected into the foundation of your home. And always keep an eye out for places where rain can pool.
Snow
Snow can also potentially cause trouble for any awning. From light snow showers to blizzards, snow can pile up quickly during the winter months. Heavy snow fall can build up on your awning and cause tears in the fabric, warp the frame, and put major stress on your awning in general.
The best thing you can do is to brush the snow off of your awning as soon as possible. Better yet, have it taken down before snow hits for the winter season. Eclipse awnings are easy to retract before a snowfall or remove from your home’s exterior for indoor storage over the winter.
Bees
Bees and pests of any kind can be another hazard for your awning. They can nest within your retracted awning, causing massive amounts of damage, or a safe space for harmful species to grow. The best way to save your awning from pests is to limit food supplies. Don’t leave sugary drinks, food, or trash in the open.
Use these tips to keep your outdoor awning in great shape. When you choose a retractable awning from Eclipse Shading Systems, you won’t have to worry about many of the most common issues because of the superior materials and design.
Plan Your Dream
With that out of the way, you’re ready to keep dreaming about how wonderful your home can be with the cool, comfortable shade from our durable retractable awnings. Since 2002, we’ve been helping customers just like you add value to their homes by creating a perfect backyard getaway.
The Eclipse Experience is all about offering you the next generation in solar shading products, from exterior screens to interior shades. Along the way, we’ve been rated the No. 1 brand of retractable awning for the last 10 years running. Let us help you affordably and easily enjoy everything a retractable awning has to offer.
