How to Pick Commercial Awning for Your Business
Sometimes, what customers remember most about a business isn’t necessarily the service or the quality of the product they received; it’s the feeling they get every time they enter your space. Part of that ‘feeling’ can come from the elegant commercial awning welcoming customers to your business.
From bright colors to an eye-catching emblem or a distinctive valance design, Rollac understands the crucial role a commercial awning plays in attracting customers and making a business successful.
Whether you run a small shop or own a large enterprise, investing in a commercial awning is an attractive, simple, and economical way to draw attention to it.
If you are considering a commercial awning and need expert assistance in selecting the right one, rest assured that we at Rollac are here to provide you with our extensive knowledge and experience.
What Is a Commercial Awning?
Technically, an awning is a canvas sheet stretched over a metal frame designed to protect windows and doors from rain and sunlight. They are available in varying sizes and can be made from aluminum, iron, canvas, wood, or steel. A relatively lightweight frame structure supports them. Though the traditional metal awning is what most people think of, many other types, including fixed awnings, drop arms, and retractable shading solutions, offer full or partial coverage.
Unlike residential awnings, which tend to blend style and purpose, commercial awnings are more durable and serve a dual purpose of branding and functionality.
What Are the Benefits of Commercial Awnings?
Many business owners need to remember that their storefronts are branding opportunities. The more ways you decorate them, the more of a fantastic statement you’ll make.
Adding a commercial awning can have a profound and transformative impact on your business’s bottom line, regardless of your enterprise type. A commercial awning installation can open up possibilities you may not have considered, breathing new life into your space, whether you own a restaurant, hotel, retail store, or bar.
1. Increased Visibility and Brand Awareness
Unlike a pergola or a Camargue, a commercial awning of all the outdoor structures on the market instantly increases your business's visibility. It signals that you’re open for business and demonstrates to customers that they’ll be well-treated because you’ve purchased a tool that adds to their comfort. Moreover, a well-designed and branded awning can significantly enhance your business's aesthetics, creating a memorable and inviting space for your customers.
A commercial awning indicates to your customers that your business is doing well. Investing in an attractive accessory will make them more likely to come in and feel secure in purchasing from you.
2. Additional Outdoor Space
There’s a direct link between increasing your square footage and your profits. Usually, the former precedes the latter. Creating more space makes your business more accessible for customers to navigate and offers more square footage to display goods or provide more services.
For example, if you’re a restaurant owner who’s installed a retractable awning on warmer days, you’ll be able to attract more customers by seating them outside. Research has indicated that investing in a commercial property's outdoor space can increase profits by 65%.
Additionally, the outdoor space around your business, especially in and around the entrance, will stay much cleaner upon installing an attractive, easy-to-use commercial awning. From leaves and branches to other types of debris, your new awning will help create an air of elegance and style for your business.
3. Weather Protection
A commercial awning offers much-needed shade and can save you money. When temperatures increase, an awning will keep your building's interior much more relaxed, reducing the need for excessive air conditioning and potentially lowering your energy bills. This energy efficiency can lead to significant long-term cost savings, providing a reassuring return on your investment.
The same is applicable in the winter. For those operating businesses in cold and snowy locations, removing the white stuff regularly from your storefront can become costly (depending on the walkway’s size). Commercial awnings are a fantastic way to keep your storefronts clear of ice and snow. It prevents unwanted customer falls (and subsequent lawsuits) and could save you money.
Wind is another weather element that should be considered when owning a business. For example, you may want to install a covering if you operate a hair salon located on a notoriously windy corner downtown. There are awnings designed to withstand heavy winds and, in the salon’s case, prevent the destruction of hairdos and keep your customers happy.
How to Choose the Right Awning for Your Business
Selecting the right commercial awning for your business is a significant decision. From understanding the different types of awnings to figuring out the most suitable application, you’ve got plenty to consider. To help you through this process, we've compiled some of the most critical factors you should examine. Once you've made your selection, our team at Rollac will guide you through the installation process, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience.
1. Application
What will your commercial awning do? Do you have a small area that needs compact customer or product shading? In this case, a fixed awning, which is a permanent structure, might be the best choice. Are you interested in protecting your storefront with a waterproof retractable awning? Then, a retractable awning with a waterproof fabric that can be extended or retracted as needed is what you need. Maybe you’ve wanted a patio or balcony transformed into a cozy nook for guests or customers. In this scenario, a louvered pergola, which has adjustable slats for controlling sunlight and ventilation, could be the perfect solution. Or you have a backyard area at your restaurant where you think installing retractable awnings alongside a louvered pergola will draw the customers.
Whatever your reason, determining the purpose of your awning will simplify the selection process tremendously.
2. Type
If you have a large area that you want to be shaded, a motorized awning makes tremendous sense. Retractable awnings are appealing for commercial purposes, including restaurant patios or any outdoor space where customers want to linger.
Maybe you’re still deciding between an awning, canopy, or pergola. Rollac can help you at any point in the decision-making process.
3. Quality
When buying a commercial awning, it's essential not to compromise on quality. Commercial awnings are designed to withstand long-term sun exposure and heavier use, so investing in a high-quality material makes sense. Our retractable awnings at Rollac are made from durable materials resistant to fading, tearing, and other forms of damage, ensuring their longevity and reducing the need for frequent maintenance.
The last thing you want is an awning that is constantly experiencing problems or has awning fabric easily torn or damaged by wind or rain.
With Rollac, you’re purchasing a commercial awning from a reputable company you can trust. Our products' fabric, frame, and other components are well-made and durable.
4. Size
The intended purpose of a commercial awning will determine its size and scale. For instance, if the awning is supposed to enhance the exterior of your business, then it needs to be the length of your storefront. Or perhaps you only want a covering of the windows and doors? Then, you’ll need to choose several individual awnings instead of one long one.
5. Designs and Colors
Don’t overlook the design and color you want for your retractable commercial awning. Remember, it should reflect you and your business. If you have a retail shop, designs and colors that showcase your business's creative and fun side are a good idea. You can choose a unique valance design that catches the customer’s eye.
However, suppose you have a more serious business like a medical supply store. In that case, you may opt for a modern commercial awning design with subdued colors and designs.
Make sure to inform yourself about your location's bylaws or rules regarding outdoor coverings. For example, if your business is located in a mall, management may have strict guidelines regarding the color and design of the commercial awnings. They may not allow confident design choices, such as cassettes, which protect the awnings when retracted, or even permit them altogether. Before you invest, be sure to check.
6. Location
If your business is located in a hurricane—or tropical storm-prone area, you'll want an awning that’s easy to clean and will maintain its appearance year after year. Select an awning that can withstand whatever Mother Nature throws at you.
Additionally, familiarize yourself with the approval requirements for outdoor coverings. If your property manager has stringent requirements about what can and can’t be displayed outside, ensure that your awning fits into that category.
7. Cost
Consider the commercial awning price and if it will fit into your budget. Are you looking for an affordable option for a tight budget, such as a manual awning, or would you be willing and able to spend more on a motorized awning that may offer more amenities? Maybe due to commercial awning costs, it isn’t appropriate for your situation, but a solar ZipShade is a more economical option. Together with Rollac, we can help you determine the most suitable cover that meets your budget.
We Are Your Commercial Awning Experts
With various styles of commercial awnings available, choosing one for your business can be overwhelming. Don’t hesitate to contact our team of awning experts at Rollac. Once you do, you'll get advice you can trust, prices you can afford, and an awning that will be practical, durable, and beautiful. Now’s the time to reap all the benefits of a commercial awning. Reach out to Rollac today!