Business Awnings Buying Guide

Which Awning Best Represents Your Company?

Selecting the best business awning for your company hinges on style, weather protection, and brand representation.

Tailor your choice to blend with your storefront, resist the elements, and boost your company’s visibility.

Details on storefront awning types, considerations, benefits, maintenance, and upgrades further guide your decision-making process.

Join us as we navigate the process of choosing the perfect awning for your company, ensuring you make an informed selection that will significantly enhance your business’s exterior.

5 Reasons to Have a Commercial Awning

Business awnings serve a variety of purposes beyond mere decoration. Understanding these purposes is key to selecting the right awning for your commercial establishment. Here’s a breakdown of the various roles played by business awnings:

Branding: Awnings offer an excellent opportunity to showcase your brand to passersby. Customizable with logos, colours, and graphics, they serve as an effective branding tool, helping to increase brand visibility and recognition.
Weather Protection: One of the primary functions of commercial awnings is to provide shelter from the elements. Whether it’s shielding customers from rain, snow, or harsh sunlight, awnings create a more comfortable outdoor environment, encouraging foot traffic and extending the usability of outdoor spaces.
Aesthetics: A well-designed awning can enhance the overall aesthetics of your business facade. It adds character, charm, and a touch of professionalism to the exterior, making your establishment stand out from the competition.
Energy Efficiency: Awnings can lower indoor temperatures and cooling costs by reducing direct sunlight and heat gain. This energy-saving benefit improves comfort for customers and employees and lowers utility bills, offering long-term cost savings.
Signage and Information: In addition to branding elements, awnings can also display important information such as business hours, contact details, or promotional messages. This dual functionality maximizes the use of space and enhances the awning’s visibility and utility.

Types and Styles of Business Awnings

Storefront awnings come in two types: stationary or retractable. In other words, they are either mounted and do not move, or you can have them fully open or closed.

*Need more information on retractable awnings? Check out our guide here.

We have many unique looks to suit your needs and preferences – here’s an overview of the styles of business awnings we offer:

3 Point: Three attachment points support the awning and are typically anchored to the building facade or structure, providing stability and support. This design is commonly used in commercial settings for larger coverage areas, such as outdoor seating areas or entrances. It ensures balanced weight distribution and stability, even in adverse weather conditions.

4 Point: This awning is supported by four attachment points, typically anchored to the building facade. This design ensures stability and support for larger coverage areas, such as outdoor seating or entrances, in commercial settings.

¼ Barrel: A style characterized by its curved shape, resembling a portion of a barrel. It is commonly used for storefronts, entrances, and outdoor seating areas in commercial settings.

Modified ¼ Barrel: A modified ¼ barrel commercial awning is a variation of the traditional curved design, customized to suit specific requirements.

Flat Panel: A flat panel commercial awning is characterized by its flat or gently sloping surface, offering a sleek and modern appearance. It provides weather protection and visual appeal to storefronts, entrances, and outdoor seating areas.

Dome: A dome commercial awning is a rounded, curved structure that extends outward from a building facade, providing weather protection and enhancing the property’s aesthetic appeal.

½ Barrel: A ½ barrel commercial awning is semi-circular and extends from a building’s facade to provide weather protection and enhance visual appeal.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Storefront Awnings

Selecting the perfect business awning involves considering various factors to ensure it aligns with your functional needs, branding objectives, and aesthetic preferences. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision:

Purpose: Define the awning’s primary purpose. Is it to enhance the facade’s aesthetics, provide weather protection, or increase branding visibility?
Style and Design: Consider the architectural style of your building. Choose an awning design that complements the existing aesthetics.
Size and Coverage: Consider factors such as the awning’s intended function, the area to be covered (entrance, storefront, outdoor seating), and architectural constraints.
Branding Opportunities: Explore how the awning can contribute to your branding efforts. Consider options for incorporating logos, signage, or brand colours into the awning design.
Local Regulations and Permits: Check local regulations and building codes regarding awning installations, including size restrictions, zoning requirements, and permit procedures.
Budget Considerations: Establish a realistic budget for your awning project, taking into account initial installation costs and long-term maintenance expenses.

Carefully evaluating these factors can help you select a business awning that meets your functional needs and enhances your commercial property’s overall appeal and branding.

Easy Maintenance Tips for Commercial Awnings

Proper maintenance of awnings is essential to ensure their longevity and optimal functionality. Regularly clean awnings to preserve their appearance and structural integrity. Here are some guidelines:

Remove loose dirt and debris using a broom or brush to clean your awning.
Prepare a cleaning solution by mixing water with mild detergent.
Gently scrub the awning with the solution and rinse it thoroughly with a hose or pressure washer.
For stubborn stains, consider using a specialized cleaner recommended for the awning material.
After cleaning, allow the awning to air dry completely before retracting it to prevent mould or mildew growth.

Performing these cleaning steps periodically, along with prompt repairs when necessary, can extend the lifespan of your awning and maintain its visual appeal for your business.

We Are Your Go-To Awnings Experts on Vancouver Island!

As the leader on Vancouver Island for awnings, patio covers, louvred aluminum pergolas, retractable screens, and roll shutters since 1991, Pacific Awnings has consistently provided businesses in Victoria, BC (and now Nanaimo BC!) with practical and visually appealing solutions for enhancing their storefronts. Our first-hand experience and superior products have proven Pacific Awnings to be a leader in weather protection for your patio or deck on Vancouver Island.

With various options, businesses can customize their awnings to showcase their brand and provide shelter for patrons and staff.

Investing in commercial awnings from a reputable company like Pacific Awnings can significantly elevate its marketing efforts and overall image, making it a cost-effective and beneficial choice for businesses looking to improve their exterior aesthetics and functionality.

Take the next step in enhancing your storefront’s appeal and functionality by contacting us at info@pacificawnings.ca or 250-361-4714 or visiting our Victoria, BC or Nanaimo, BC showrooms. We look forward to helping your business make a lasting impression.