There are two main materials that are regularly used to create patio awnings – metal and fabric. Each of these materials has its own advantages and disadvantages that we will cover in the course of this article. Despite the various advantages, some individuals simply prefer one awning material over another because they don’t like the way aluminum looks are dislike how fabric (canvas or synthetic) can become worn with time and exposure to the elements. While these are important considerations, one must also take into account the immense strengths that each patio awning material has to offer.
Metal Patio Awnings
As one might expect, metal is the material of strength and durability for home awnings. They can be initially more expensive because the cost of the raw materials (aluminum, tin, etc) is generally much greater than that of fabric, but this is not always the case depending on the type of fabric awning you are comparing it to (like a motorized retractable patio awning - these cost a $1000 or more).
Metal awnings have been traditionally used over windows and doors but this is not their exclusive use. They also can extend workspace or storage space on the side of a house or garage. One of the main reasons it is used extensively in this function is because of its natural durability and natural resistance to the elements. Metal is profoundly sturdy and can take quit a licking from mother nature and human idiocy and still keep on ticking.
The other benefit that metal patio awnings provide is their ability to absorb a lot of the heat generated by the sun. They suck it up like magnates, or white on rice, or a one year old and birthday cake. Metal awnings are to heat as water is to thirst – it completely obliterates it. So all that heat from the warm afternoon summer sun is going to get absorbed by your metal patio awning and not by you and your family sitting outside to enjoy a nice summer afternoon. You’ll be degrees cooler because of its hard work.
But sunlight is not all that metal patio awnings are good at absorbing. These also do splendidly well at taking all forms of precipitation and pinning them to the ground, Greco-Roman wrestling style. Who wants a nice afternoon BBQ to be disrupted by a quick summer shower? Nobody! Who wants their wood storage area to be crushed by a snow drift three feet deep? Only crazy people! Metal awnings can provide this type of protection again precipitation that canvas awnings simply cannot compete with.
But what about rusting – doesn’t precipitation have some power to whoop a metal awning’s tush? Hahaha – never! Many, if not most, metal patio awnings are made with wonderful aluminum. This metal sent from above is actually resistant to rust (that is why aluminum cars don’t really rust, ever) and can come in many different shapes and sizes. It may be the same material that makes up flimsy aluminum cans, but aluminum is actually a very strong and durable metal that is also very pliable under certain conditions.
This pliability allow awning manufacturers to create them in various styles and colors so that you can easily find a color and style that matches the rest of your home. Corrugated aluminum awnings are not the only thing around!
As one might expect, patio awnings that are made out of aluminum are pretty much going to be stationary. You might be able to find one that is able to move flush with a wall, but this simply will not work if you have an entryway or window that the awning would block when it does so. Also, metal won’t roll so that type of retractable awning is out of the question.
Fabric Patio Awnings
Fabric patio awnings are exactly what they sound like – patio awning made out of some sort of fabric. This could be either a canvas or a synthetic fabric like GORE™ TENARA®.
Here is a blurb from GORE, the manufacturer of this fabric:
Made from 100% woven high strength expanded PTFE fibers, the ‘woven’ family of GORE™ TENARA® Architectural Fabrics, combines exceptional textile aesthetic qualities, unlimited flex-life, complete immunity to UV sunlight, and exceptional flame properties.
Woven GORE™ TENARA® Architectural Fabrics enable designers to achieve interesting interior projects that have strict flammability requirements, as well as provide a true ‘textile’ look for exterior shade structures.
Ideally suited for interior and exterior retractable, deployable and permanent structures utilizing a wide variety of structural techniques, including fixed & space frame, tensioned cable-edge, geodesic, and stapled panel systems.
As you can see, this fabric is engineered to be incredibly strong and to endure the most aggressive elements that nature will throw at it. The UV protect is particularly important since exposure to these rays alone has been the cause of deterioration for many fabric shade structures over the years. If the patio awning is made of canvas, it is much more likely to suffer wear and tear because of the wind, rain, snow, and sun.
However, fabric awnings are much more likely to be found in retractable awnings since fabric is extremely pliable and can easily be rolled up in a small space. Almost all retractable awnings are made from some sort of fabric.
Another benefit of fabric patio awnings is that they are much cheaper than their metal counterparts. As I have already mentioned, this difference in price is combined with a diminished ability to withstand the forces of nature that will be its daily companion as it brings shade to your patio.
Finally, fabric awnings can be much “prettier” to look at than metal ones. They can often be richer in color and texture and are generally more pleasant to look at from far away and from directly underneath them than metal patio awnings.
What Works Best For My Patio Awnings
Since most patios are of a small nature either a metal or a fabric awning can be a good fit, but which one works best for me? That answer is going to be something that you take the time and weigh the different pros and cons about. A metal patio awning will be much more durable and do a great job of fighting off the elements, but it will also be much harder to change once it is installed and will probably cost you a little bit more.
The fabric patio awning will look better, has the potential to be significantly cheaper than metal, and can be retractable or easily moved when not necessary. Its downsides consist of decreased durability from element exposure.
No matter what you go with, you are going to find something that is going to increase the value of your home, add interest to your patio or deck, and provide wonderful shade from the intense sun when you need it most. Are you consider the purchase of a patio awning?