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There is a highly competitive real estate market in New Jersey at the present time. This means that the importance of making a strong first impression cannot be overstated if you are trying to sell your property if you’re looking to maximize the return on your investment. 

In addition, the Garden State boasts a broad diversity of architectural styles, from historic Victorian properties to modern suburban homes and everything in between. This means that each property requires a unique, personalized touch when it comes to enhancing its aesthetics and functionality. 

Today we will take a close look at one great addition to your New Jersey property: awnings. Read on to learn about the benefits they offer and how to choose the right awnings for your home. 

How Do Awnings Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal?

“Curb appeal” refers to the attractiveness of a property to a passerby or potential buyer when viewed from the street or sidewalk. It plays a huge role in crafting a good first impression, whether you’re trying to sell a property or simply impress guests. Each style of property presents unique opportunities for enhancing its curb appeal with awnings. 

Awnings serve as a stylish addition to your home’s exterior, boosting its overall aesthetic appeal and creating a more polished and inviting facade by adding depth, dimension, and visual interest. The right awnings can also complement your home’s architectural features and landscaping, tying together the property’s look and making it stand out in the neighborhood. 

What Are the Practical Benefits of Awnings? 

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, awnings provide an array of practical benefits for your New Jersey home. In particular, they can reduce your energy costs by providing shade and minimize sun exposure, protecting you and your family as well as your furnishings and possessions. 

Energy Efficiency

Awnings help to reduce solar heat gain by shading your windows and doors, thereby lowering your home’s indoor temperature and reducing the need for air-conditioning. This can lead to significant energy savings during the hot summer months, which is great news for your budget as well as the planet. 

UV Protection for You and Your Home 

Most of us know that the sun’s UV rays can be dangerous to our health if we spend too much time in direct sunlight without proper protection. Awnings help to provide a comfortable and shaded outdoor living space, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors without the risk of sunburn or overheating. 

Did you know that the sun’s harmful UV rays can also cause damage to your furniture, flooring, artwork, and other possessions? Awnings block these rays from entering your home, providing protection from this damage. 

What You Need to Know About Choosing the Right Awnings

Choosing the right awnings for your home involves considering various factors to ensure that they complement your home’s architecture and meet your functional needs. In this section, we will explore the most important factors in your awning selection. 

Architectural Features 

Your home’s architectural features, including its roofline, window style, and exterior materials, will all influence the awning choices you make. For example, the pitch and shape of your roofline can affect the placement and angle of the awnings, while the style and size of your windows can influence the size and configuration of the awnings you choose to ensure proper coverage and aesthetic harmony. 

Exterior materials, such as siding or brick, can also guide you in selecting awning materials and colors that complement or contrast effectively. 

Retractable, Stationary, or Canopy Design?

There are three main styles of awnings to choose from: retractable, stationary, and canopy. Each offers its own benefits and drawbacks, which we have listed in this section to help you with your choice. 

Retractable Awnings

Retractable awnings are those that can be retracted when not in use as opposed to being permanent fixtures. 

Pros: 

• They provide flexibility, allowing you to extend or retract them as needed to control sunlight and shade.
• They are ideal for areas where you want the option of sun exposure or shade, such as outdoor seating areas or decks.
• They have excellent longevity as they can be put away during extreme weather, reducing the risk of damage. 

Cons:

• They may require more frequent maintenance due to moving parts and fabric tension adjustments.
• They can be more costly than other types of awnings. 

Stationary Awnings

In contrast to their retractable counterparts, stationary awnings provide permanent coverage and do not move once they are installed. 

Pros: 

• They are typically more durable than retractable options.
• They require minimal maintenance once installed.
• They are cost-effective. 
• They are well-suited for areas where constant shade is desired, such as over windows or doorways.

Cons:

• They offer less flexibility in controlling shade and sunlight exposure.

• They are less adaptable if you decide to change the look or layout of your outdoor space. 
• They are exposed to the elements year-round, which can lead to damage over time. 

Canopy Awnings

Canopy awnings are fixed structures that extend outward from the building, offering overhead protection from the elements.

Pros:

• They provide a distinctive architectural element. 
• They can be customized in various shapes and sizes to suit specific design preferences.
• They offer excellent durability and weather resistance.

Cons: 

• They require periodic cleaning and maintenance to keep them looking their best.
• They may offer fewer customization options. 

Color Coordination

When you select colors for your awnings, it is important to choose shades that complement the primary colors of your home’s exterior. For example, if your siding is a warm beige, consider awnings in shades of brown, green, or burgundy for a cohesive look.

On the other hand, if you prefer a bolder statement piece, you can choose to contrast strategically by opting for awning colors that contrast with your home’s exterior without clashing. For example, a navy blue awning against a light gray or white house can create a striking visual impact.

You can also take visual cues from surrounding natural and landscaping elements such as trees, flowers, or hardscaping materials. Harmonizing with these elements can enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space.

Material Selection

Awnings are available in a variety of materials, each offering its own features and benefits. The majority of awnings are either canvas or metal. 

Canvas

Canvas awnings offer a classic, traditional look and are available in a wide range of colors and patterns. They provide excellent UV protection and can be treated to resist mildew and fading, making them ideal for New Jersey’s climate. For this reason, canvas is our most-recommended awning material for our clients. 

Metal

Metal awnings are made from aluminum or steel, offering a more modern and sleek appearance than their canvas counterparts. For this reason, they are well-suited for contemporary-style homes or commercial properties seeking a clean, minimalist aesthetic.

Metal awnings are durable and weather-resistant, and they require minimal maintenance.

Particular Concerns Related to New Jersey’s Climate

Each locale comes with its own climate-related considerations when you are choosing elements such as awnings for your home, and New Jersey is no different. 

Given New Jersey’s often humid climate, it is important to choose awning fabrics that are resistant to mildew and mold growth. Look for fabrics treated with antimicrobial coatings or those that are specifically designed for outdoor use in damp environments.

To ensure the longevity of your awnings in the high rainfall of our home state, opt for hardware components made from rust-resistant materials such as stainless steel or aluminum. This will help to prevent corrosion and maintain the structural integrity of the awnings, particularly in coastal areas prone to saltwater exposure.

The Perfect Awnings for You 

We hope this article has helped to demystify the awning options available to you and the pros and cons of the various choices you can make. 

No matter your needs, the team at Window Trends is here to help you make the right selection. We carry a wide array of awning and canopy products as well as offering custom products built exactly to your specifications. 

If you are ready to get started or require more information on any aspect of selecting awnings for your home or commercial property, please contact us or visit one of our New Jersey showrooms (located in Chatham and Morris Plains).