Important Considerations for Choosing a Business Awning

The goal of any business is to generate more business. For business owners with a storefront, that generation can sometimes feel difficult because many people shop online. So business owners need to find ways to draw customers to their storefront.

A custom awning is one method you can use to draw attention to your storefront. What's more, a well-designed and maintained awning can help you promote your brand. Keep reading for considerations that will help you choose the right awning for your business.

Function of the Awning

First, decide what the function of the awning will be. An awning for a home is usually meant to provide shade to make the outdoor space more usable. That function can work for your business, too. For instance, the presence of an awning in front of a store can inspire passersby to stop and look into your shop even if it's sunny or rainy. They may then be intrigued enough to enter.

Another consideration is the energy savings you could see with the right design of your awning. The provision of a sunshade isn't just comfortable for potential customers. It prevents the sun from entering the front of your business, so you won't have as many cooling costs if you choose a shade awning. It will also protect the materials in front from becoming faded or warped from UV rays.

That said, business awnings are often about more than providing protection from the elements. An awning in front of a business can actually draw attention. Decide what message the awning should convey. This decision will help drive your choice in style. The awning is going to be in front of your business every day, so make sure you send the right message with it.

Design of the Awning

Decide what overall ambience you want to convey with the front of your business. Do you want it to feel homey or look trendy? If you want a homey ambience, you may choose a style with a scalloped skirt like you might find at home. If you want your business to feel more modern and trendy, you'll keep the lines clean.

While you design the awning, another important consideration is the color. One school of thought is to choose a light awning so some sunlight can still filter through. However, you're also making a statement about your brand while trying to draw attention to your storefront. Therefore, you might choose a bold color or one that's in your logo.

Also consider putting your logo on your awning, even if your logo is essentially just your business name. If you want potential customers to call your business, add the phone number. You can also consider the incorporation of elements that relate to your business. For example, if you sell bikes, you could incorporate bike wheels into the design.

Material of the Awning

Another consideration is the material for the awning. Most homeowners choose fabric awnings. A fabric awning could work for your business too. Manufacturers usually start with fabric that they coat for weatherproofing. Acrylic-coated fabrics are good for humid areas because they resist mildew. Vinyl-coated fabrics are beautiful when backlit.

Your other two main options are metal and fiberglass. Manufacturers can mold aluminum awnings into a number of styles. They provide more shade than fabric awnings. Fiberglass awnings are more customizable, especially in terms of how much shade they convey.

While you consider which material you want for your awning, keep maintenance in mind. The awning is a visual representation of your brand, so it must be in good repair. Weigh your options between the durability of a metal or acrylic awning against the increased cleaning of the fabric.

Choose an awning that will draw customers to your business. Contact Sunstate Awning for help designing your business awning.