Injecting some feminine energy into a room

Your house protects you, your family and the stuff kept inside from harsh weather elements such as rain and strong winds. But it also needs a little sheltering from certain weather elements that may wreak havoc in the interior living space. Sunlight, in particular, can enter the interiors of a house through open windows and doors, leading to excessive heat buildup and unwanted glare from the sun. Having some sort of sunlight control can go a long way in moderating indoor temperatures and ensuring optimal comfort. 

Installing awnings over the exteriors of windows and doors is a popular way to prevent sunlight from interfering with indoor temperatures and comfort. But not all awnings are created equal, so it's important to explore your options before you can choose the best ones for your home. Take a look at the various awning fabric options available for you to choose from. 

Cotton Awnings 

These awnings have probably been around the longest, and you can still find them on the market, but they're not the standard option anymore.

Cotton awnings are an ideal option for homeowners that want a more classic look and feel for their awnings. They're heavy and naturally resistant to water, meaning they can repel mould, algae, mildew and other unwanted microbial growths. Plus, they're washable and will retain their original shape when they get dry. This makes them easy to keep clean and intact. Cotton is, however, not the cheapest fabric option for awnings.

Canvas Awnings

They're cheaper than their cotton cousins and are quite resilient, making them a great option for price-savvy homeowners. Canvas material is elastic, making it ideal for retractable units. The major drawback of this quality is that the awnings may sometimes hold rain and snow if it is not stretched tight enough. This can pose a safety hazard.

Plus, canvas awnings are made using natural materials, which are vulnerable to microbial growths, just like cotton alternatives. Some modern varieties of canvas awnings are coated with a layer of synthetic fabric to help to increase the lifespan of the awnings. Unfortunately, these hybrid models can't match the durability of fully synthetic models, even with a protective topcoat.

Synthetic Awnings 

Synthetic awnings are primarily designed to overcome the challenges associated with traditional canvas models. Because they're not made from natural materials, they're not at risk of microbial growths. Hence, they offer increased durability. There are various fabric options available for synthetic awnings. There generally include acrylic, vinyl, polyester or a combination of any of the three. How a particular type of synthetic fabric is made and coated will determine how it performs.

Now that you're aware of the fabric awnings available out there, you should be able to choose the best one for your home. Consult an expert if you need help making the right choice.