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AWNINGS - MADE IN THE SHADE?
By Jim Richman -
Academy Awning, Los Angeles, CA
You, like most people, probably think
of awnings only as devices designed to protect you from rain and
sunlight. If you are a business owner, architect, or property
manager, you should be aware of the many other features and
benefits to be found in having an awning.
You will be surprised to learn that a
large percentage of the awnings installed on commercial buildings
were designed with shade as a secondary objective. For these
businesses, awnings have progressed beyond the strictly
utilitarian and, instead, help define the nature and character of
the businesses they adorn. Imagine the visual impact of a sports
bar in Los Angles with an awning in the shape of a baseball cap in
Dodger Blue, the name and address of the business illuminated from
behind, with integral lighting serving the dual purpose of
highlighting the entry and sidewalk. Awnings can be much more than
mundane shade structures; a well-designed awning can be, in fact,
a fashion statement.
If one of the numerous standard
designs and shapes is not suitable, custom designs can be
fabricated to compliment the purpose and architecture of the
building. Using CADD and computer imaging, an awning can be
designed and superimposed on a photograph of the structure for
which it is intended. You can actually see what the finished
product will look like long before the fabric is cut.
With today's technology, fabrics span
the color spectrum. And with the emphasis now placed on longevity
and durability, it is quite possible that a properly manufactured
awning cover will serve for more than 10 years.
In the area of "signage-type" awnings,
there are new vinyl fabrics with translucent properties which,
when combined with the proper lighting, can highlight any
storefront day and night. Improvements in graphics make it
possible to reproduce letterheads and logos and integrate them
into the custom design.
Awnings can serve many other purposes
as well, some of which can directly and positively impact your
bottom line. Many restaurants have installed awnings for alfresco
dining and for the convenience of patrons who smoke. (Most smokers
would rather dine at home than refrain from smoking.)
Awnings also serve a "protect and
preserve" role, being used as window covers to minimize sunlight
damage to interior areas or as low-cost covered parking areas for
expensive vehicles.
As you can see, an awning is much more
than simply a protective structure. It serves as a mission
statement for one's property, and it can be a liability-reducer
and attention-getter, while enhancing you bottom-line. |
