Is a Sunshade Right for Your Needs?

Guest post by Jennifer Filzen, Marketing Representative at Acme Sunshades Enterprise Inc, a Diamond Certified company.

Let’s say you own a restaurant and want to create an outdoor dining space for your customers. You can have any type of pergola, sunshade or awning built for you, but there are several things to consider before making a final decision.

Acme Sunshades installed this motorized retractable conservatory awning on a rooftop in San Francisco. Photo: Acme Sunshades Enterprise Inc., 2016

Is your outdoor area surrounded by lots of trees? Too many trees could blow a heavy pile of leaves on top of your sunshade and cause it to collapse. If you want an outdoor area with a sunshade, you should consider a retractable shade that you can move out of the way in the event of rain or wind.

These tensioned shade sails are made with long-lasting fabric. Photo: Acme Sunshades Enterprise Inc., 2016

If the area you want covered is large, you may need a series of smaller coverings that can be easily retracted. If one pergola covers a large span, for example, it may be large enough to collect a lot of rain, which can make it sag and break under the weight. Consider the size of your area before setting your heart on a specific type of cover.

How much area needs to be covered? If the area you want covered is large, you may need a series of smaller coverings that can be easily retracted. If one pergola covers a large span, for example, it may be large enough to collect a lot of rain, which can make it sag and break under the weight. Consider the size of your area before setting your heart on a specific type of cover.

Which direction will the awnings face? If your area faces west, you’ll need protection from the glaring sun. If your area faces north, it’ll already be shaded but could use protection from the rain. Depending on the direction your area faces, your choice of awning and application will vary.

What type of maneuvering mechanism do you prefer? The three main ways to open and close sunshades and awnings is by hand crank, strings, and electrical devices. Some electrical devices can be operated by flipping a switch or by remote control. Hand cranks and strings are often used for smaller awnings and sunshades. Remote control is often more expensive, but it’s very convenient as well.

This free-standing awning is retractable in the event of rain or heavy winds. Photo: Acme Sunshades Enterprise Inc., 2016

Jennifer Filzen is a Marketing Representative at Acme Sunshade Enterprise Inc., a Diamond Certified company. She can be reached at info@acmesunshades.com.