Selecting Commercial Awnings for Your Business
Sometimes, what customers remember most about a business isn’t necessarily the service or the quality of the product they received. Instead, it’s the feeling they get whenever they enter your commercial space. Part of that ‘feeling’ can come from the stylish commercial awnings welcoming customers into your business.
From bright colors and bold patterns to an eye-catching logo or a distinctive valance design, Rollac understands the crucial role a business awning plays in attracting customers and contributing to your success.
Whether you’re debating between compact and retractable shading or want to explore your window shading options, we’re here to help! There are lots of choices. Trust Rollac to help you select the perfect solution 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, doors, and other outdoor spaces 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. There are many types of awnings, including fixed awnings, drop arms, and retractable shading solutions, that offer full or partial coverage.
Unlike residential awnings, which tend to blend style and purpose, business awnings are more durable and serve a dual purpose of branding and functionality.
What Are the Benefits of Commercial Awnings?
Choosing a commercial shade structure, like an awning, can transform 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
Commercial storefront awnings instantly boost your business's visibility, signaling to customers that you’re open and ready to welcome them. Moreover, a well-designed and branded awning for business can significantly enhance your business's aesthetics, creating a luxurious space for your customers. If you’re considering a front door awning, our guide can help you choose the design, material, and size that will perfectly complement your storefront.
Regardless of the type of commercial awning you choose, it signals to customers that your business is thriving. Investing in an attractive, functional accessory encourages customers to step inside and feel confident 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. Installing outdoor awnings for your business creates more space, makes it more accessible for customers to navigate, and offers more square footage to display goods or provide additional services.
For example, if you’re a restaurant owner who has installed commercial outdoor awnings on your patio, you can attract more customers by seating them outside on warmer days. Your commercial retractable awning can also protect your outdoor dinners from insects and provide some much-needed privacy from passersby.
Additionally, installing storefront awnings will keep the outdoor space around your business much cleaner, especially around the entrance. From leaves and branches to other types of debris, your new awning will help create shade for pedestrians and provide solar protection for your business’s interior.
3. Weather Protection
Modern commercial awnings can offer much-needed shade protection from rain and wind while saving you money. When temperatures increase, an awning will keep your building's interior cool, 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 true in winter. For businesses operating in cold and snowy locations, regularly removing the white stuff from your storefront can become costly (depending on the walkway’s size). Outdoor commercial awnings are a fantastic way to keep your storefronts clear of ice and snow.
Wind is another weather element that should be considered when owning a business. For example, 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 he Right Awning for Your Business
You have plenty to consider, from understanding the different types of awnings for business fronts to figuring out the most suitable application. We've summarized some of the most critical factors to consider when making this type of purchase.
1. Purpose
What do you want your commercial awning to do? Maybe you have a small area that needs compact customer or product shading? That’s where a fixed awning, a permanent structure, might be your best option. Alternatively, you’ve always wanted a waterproof retractable awning to protect your storefront. That’s when you should look at one with waterproof fabric that can be extended or retracted.
Have you wanted to transform a patio or balcony into a cozy nook for guests or customers? This is where a louvered pergola with adjustable slats for controlling sunlight and ventilation could be the perfect solution.
Or do you have a backyard area at your restaurant that’s been chronically underused? You’ve got this great idea of installing retractable awnings alongside a louvered pergola that will finally draw the customers outside!
2. Type
A motorized awning offers the convenience of automation, making it a logical choice for shading large areas with minimal effort. With just the push of a button or using a programmable device, you can extend or retract the awning as needed, adapting quickly to changing weather conditions or customer preferences.
3. Quality
Commercial awnings are designed to withstand long-term sun exposure and heavy use, so investing in a high-quality material makes sense. Rollac's retractable awnings are made from durable materials that are resistant to fading, tearing, and other forms of damage.
But, even the best awnings may show wear over time. Knowing when to repair rather than replace an awning is key to maintaining its functionality and aesthetics. The last thing you want is an awning that is constantly experiencing problems or has awning fabric easily torn or damaged by the weather.
With Rollac, you’re investing in commercial awning from a reputable company you can trust. Our products' fabric, frame, and other components are well-made and durable. They minimize the need for frequent repair and offer long-term peace of mind.
4. Size
The purpose of a commercial awning will determine its size and scale. For example, 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. 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.
If you own a more serious business, such as a medical supply store, you may opt for a modern commercial awning with subdued colors and designs.
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. Cost
Consider the price of a commercial awning and whether it fits your budget. Are you looking for an affordable option, such as a manual awning, for a tight budget, or would you be willing and able to spend more on a motorized awning that may offer more amenities?
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!