Ask Your Local Awning Company in Houston, TX About Wind Resistant Designs

Backyard porches, restaurant patios, business windows and strip mall sidewalks—when specially designed for specific spaces, awnings go to work as protectors from the elements, including wind, rain, snow and sun. But what designs and which materials should you select in preparation for a battle against the weather, especially when it comes to strong winds? Don’t simply choose the first awning you see. If installing wind resistant awnings is a priority, take the time to talk with a local awning company in Houston, TX about these sturdy design options:

• Retractable awnings: Since winds can pick up just about anywhere, at any time, you must be attentive to storm warnings so you can take awnings down. Some stationary awning frames are strong enough to withstand high winds, but retractable ones are not as sturdy, as they are intended to be sunshades, not crazy weather blockers. That being said, they can be pulled back against the side of a building or structure for safety. Think long term—if you live where weather conditions include frequent violent winds, pass on retractable awnings.
• Stationary awnings: If you are going to invest in awnings for your home or business and you live in a high wind area, keep in mind the permanent placement of stationary awnings. As their name indicates, stationary awnings cannot be hand-cranked or motorized back into a hiding spot. If winds pick up and your awnings are stuck in place, then manually removing covers from the frame is what you will have to do. But while fabric over aluminum is less likely to hold in place in extreme winds, there are materials that can, such as weatherproofed fabric stretched tight over a quality steel (or even wood) frame.
• Steel awnings: By far, steel is said to be the best material choice for structure reinforcement. Awnings for most situations are best when tension fabric is paired with a fixed steel structure. Not only strong and able to provide a structurally sound frame, steel is also an excellent choice over bendable aluminum, though the winds would have to be pretty powerful. Metal awnings, such as steel, can resist whipping winds and do not draw too much attention once a nice fabric is pulled over them and secured in place.
• Wind sensor awnings: Would you prefer retractable awnings for your home or business, but wind is a common problem where you live? Some awning manufacturers offer wireless wind sensor capability already installed or as a separate attachable unit. You set the sensitivity level, and then the wind sensors can remotely monitor wind speeds and strength, as well as other weather conditions. Should high winds arrive, the automatic sensors will roll up and pull back your awnings, and won’t reopen until you want them to.

Ask the experts at ABC Awning Company about heavy-duty awning construction and materials designed to withstand winds that can reach up to 120 miles per hour during bad, windy Texas winters. Give us a call today—we’re your local awning company in Houston, TX, and we’re ready to assist you with professional quality products and installation.

Categorised in: Awning Company