Beginner’s Guide: Get to Know the Types of House Awning

As the weather becomes unpredictable with lots of rain and sunshine, some people are finding it hard to stay outdoors when they don’t have a house awning. On days when the weather is akin to the one you get in Genting Highlands, you will want to stay out and simply enjoy it. The same goes for when the weather is sunny and bright.

However, with Malaysia’s extreme weather conditions, all of these seem impossible unless you invest in a suitable awning design for your house. This is where we come in – to share with you the different types of designs for house awnings that you can choose from.

You see, awnings help to block the sun and reduce its glare onto any surface that the ray hits. They also protect your patio furniture from excessive heat and rain while allowing you to spend more time outdoors without being sunburned, drenched, or overheated.

In this article, we will discuss the main types of house awning along with the materials used to create a suitable house awning for you.

Types of Awning Design

There are two main types of awning design – retractable and fixed. The first type is generally more popular among homeowners who prefer a modern awning design while the latter is more suited for business premises.

a) Retractable Polycarbonate Awning

Retractable Polycarbonate awnings provide a space-saving solution as they can be rolled or folded up when not in use. There’s also no fear of damage from strong winds or heavy rain. However, the initial expense will be higher than installing a fixed awning as motorised retractable awnings often have sensors that can alert you when you need to put the awning away.

Although the lifespan of retractable awnings is generally shorter than fixed awnings, their frame requires much less maintenance and repairs to the awning material can be costly. Also, there are different styles of retractable awning such as concave, slope, and waterfall.

b) Fixed Canopy Fabric Awning

Unlike retractable awnings, fixed canopy fabric awnings are installed stationary on a building’s exterior. The structure may be stable, but strong winds or heavy rain can damage it over time. That said, fixed awnings are available in varying materials, dimensions, and styles such as dome, elongated dome, concave, and waterfall.

Additionally, fixed awnings are more durable than retractable awnings, but they require more maintenance, especially the frame after enduring Malaysia's extreme weather conditions for long periods. Also, the initial expense will be much less than a retractable awning as fixed awnings don’t require a motor or sensors for the added convenience.

3 Types of Awning Materials

Now that you’ve learned about the two main types of awning design, it’s time to discover the materials that are often used to design a house awning. Among the materials used for awning covers are vinyl, acrylic, and metal.

1) Vinyl

There are two types of vinyl fabrics – laminated and coated. The former is the standard type as the material is sturdy, waterproof, and durable for medium to large awning projects. Coated vinyl awning cover, on the other hand, is of higher quality, thanks to its stain-resistant property. Both types of vinyl are easy to maintain.

While they boast durability, the vinyl awning cover doesn't come in many colours or patterns. However, they typically have a five-year warranty or longer. This means you can get it replaced if your vinyl awning is damaged within five years (subject to the T&Cs).

2) Acrylic

Acrylic awnings are available in a variety of choices – from 100 per cent acrylic to acrylic blends such as polyester-coated acrylic and cotton-polyester acrylic. This material can be heavy due to the acrylic blend and may appear transparent depending on the composition.

While acrylic awnings work well in areas of high humidity and are resistant to mildew and UV rays, they can shrink in cool weather and stretch during hot days. That said, this awning material is suitable for homes or business premises that are in humid areas.

3) Metal

Different from the previous two awning materials, metal awnings are generally durable. They offer architectural appeal but are less versatile than fabric awnings. That said, they often require maintenance to prevent rust and damage.

Additionally, metal awnings are heavier and more costly to install. During the warmer months, they can act as a heat magnet, making your outdoor space warmer instead of cooler.

Once you’ve figured out which awning design and material you want, it’ll be easier for you to get a custom-made fabric awning for your space. Consider consulting a specialist like M & N France Fabric Awning for a house awning in Malaysia.

As Malaysia’s awning manufacturer, our team of well-trained technicians can design and install awnings efficiently to meet your requirements. For more information, contact 012-9891491 or visit our showroom here.