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Category: In the shade

Retractable Awnings Offer Many Solutions

Posted on by Meghan Lalonde

When most people think about awnings, they imagine the type that hangs over movie theaters or restaurants, but there is another kind of awning that is great for any home or business: a retractable awning. Retractable awnings offer many solutions and are becoming increasingly popular for many reasons, including versatility and affordability.

Great for Any Purpose

Retractable awnings can be both flexible and versatile, making them ideal for nearly any kind of residence or business in Colorado. You can choose from a variety of colors made from high-quality fabric that blocks out different amounts of light.  Selecting a retractable awning will complement your personal taste and the style of your home.  It’s a natural extension, and not an awkward add on. You can also choose the length of the awning, so that it perfectly fits your outdoor living area.

Cost-effective

Typically, these awnings only have attachments to the house, meaning you won’t have to deal with standing poles obstructing your view. A retractable awning placed outside helps you save on your heating and cooling bills. You can also take it down and store it away when not in use. Purchasing a good cover that you can place over it while in storage also extends the lifespan of your awning, so that you do not have to replace it for several years.

Hassle-free Removal

A retractable awning provides shade and protection from the weather, but they are also easy to remove when not in use or during winter months.  Businesses can benefit from retractable awnings because they offer customers refuge from the rain when entering or leaving the business. For residential use, they allow any patio or porch to be the perfect space to enjoy the outdoors throughout the year.

 

For more information about retractable awnings in the Fort Collins area, contact us today at 970-493-4033. We proudly also serve customers in Loveland, Windsor,  Greeley,  Estes Park,  Boulder, Broomfield,  Louisville,  Arvada,  Longmont, Berthoud, Cheyenne,  Laramie,  Grand Lake, and Lafayette.

Why Restaurants Choose Red Awnings

Posted on by Meghan Lalonde

Ever noticed how many restaurants in urban areas opt for a red or warm-colored awning to extend their dining areas and attract customers walking down the street? Walking through downtown Denver or Vale, CO, you’ll spot a number of restaurants with a crimson awning wrapped around or in front of the location. It’s not a mistake — red awnings are by far some of the most popular choices for restaurants.

Why? Well, there’s some psychology behind the choice.

A lot of research has been done to study the connection between colors and eating habits. A few of those findings have been relatively universal, such as that blue and purple awnings can result in a loss of appetite as they are not colors psychologically associated with natural food.

The color yellow can eventually be too bright and cause irritation for patrons dining under a restaurant awning. This is also why some fast-food restaurants incorporate yellow into their design and decor, to help maximize turnover. Meanwhile, the color green is often interpreted as being relaxing.

Red, however, draws attention on the street and, being the same color as a number of natural foods, stimulates the appetite, which is why the color has almost become the ubiquitous choice for restaurants and local eateries.

So while you might not expect it, there’s more thought going into that awning than you’d think. If you’re in need of a restaurant awning in Colorado, contact Peterson Canvas today!

Awnings Can Help Reduce Your Energy Bill By Deflecting Solar Radiation

Posted on by jgiuliano

During the summer your home can easily become overheated. This phenomenon is caused by the sunbeams passing through your home’s windows, warming the air inside and therefore causing a heat buildup. Under such conditions, the temperature within your home is higher than it should be. Preventing this from happening is as easy as installing new awnings to your property to deflect solar radiation, which will reduce your energy bill.

Saving Money by Preventing Overheating

The most effective and economic way to prevent overheating is implementing sun protection measures such as awnings, which will allow you to reach the desired temperature without relying on expensive, environmentally unfriendly, cooling systems. Therefore, you will not only be reducing your energy bills, but also your ecological footprint.

Step by Step Guide to Deflecting Solar Radiation

  • The first step is to locate the windows in your house most directly exposed to sunlight. Such windows will tend to be located in areas without shadow.
  • The second step is to choose which kind of awnings suit your windows better, as well as your budget. There are many to consider: conventional awnings, retractable awnings, canopies and solar screens, just to name a few of them.
  • The third step is to choose the right color and material for your awnings. When doing so, it is advisable not take the aesthetics as the sole decisive factor. Even though style is important, you must realize that your savings will be greater if the sun protection system installed is white or pastel.

Comfort, Ecology and Economy

At this point you will have reduced the heat inside your home during warm months, improved your thermal comfort and reduced energy consumption all in one go. By preventing overheating in your property using awnings, you will be achieving savings in cooling between 5 to 30% every year.

5 Benefits of Interior Shades for Your Home

Posted on by Meghan Lalonde

Curtains and blinds are becoming a thing of the past. They can be a hassle, having to clean dust off blinds and old, musty odors coming from curtains. Perhaps, you are considering getting rid of your home’s curtains and blinds. Installing interior shades can be a great option for many reasons. Interior shades and shading give homeowners control of the interior of their home. They also increase comfort of the home. Here are the top five benefits of having interior shades in your home.

Protection from UV rays
Interior shades stop up to 99% of ultraviolet (UV) rays from entering your home. Natural sunlight produces UV rays, which are invisible to the naked eye, and can be dangerous in large doses.

Protection from light glare
Homes with large windows receive an enormous amount of natural sunlight, which often creates a glare. In certain rooms, such as the office or living room, excess light is bad for working on or watching dark screens. Interior shading filters the light for the ultimate viewing experience.

Help keep interiors beautiful
Natural sun light can be bad for your most precious decor items. With time, beautiful hardwood flooring, carpets and even furniture can fade from longtime exposure to the sun. Interior shades are valuable because they reduce the amount of sunlight, protecting your furniture, flooring and carpets from fading.

Help save money on energy bill
Interior shades can greatly reduce home electric costs. Having an interior shade in your home helps reduce the interior temperature by up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Added privacy
Homes situated in high visual areas, such as in a city’s downtown, or in close proximity to neighbors tend to lack privacy from peering eyes. The inside of some rooms should not be visible to outsiders, such as bedrooms or bathrooms. Interior shades can be placed over any window, to add privacy and security to your state of mind.

If you are considering interior solar screens and shades for your home in the Fort Collins, Colorado area, look no further! At Peterson Canvas, we have a large variety of products that will increase the comfort of your home. We also provide other products, such as Patio Covers, Retractable Awnings and Sail Shades. Contact us today at 970-493-4033!

Tips to Keep Your Awning Safe and Secure During the Winter

Posted on by Meghan Lalonde

Peterson Canvas Awnings are a fantastic addition to any residential or commercial space. Whether it cozies up your back porch or your outside seating, keeping your awning pristine is a task that requires a lot of care. Here are some recommended treatment methods and tips to consider to keep your awning fresh.

 

Look for Mildew

Mildew is the primary killer of fabric awnings. It can appear quickly and without consistent inspection can cause serious damage to your awning. You should inspect your awning for mildew buildup once a month, twice a month if you live in a humid climate and during the colder months. If your awning has cleaning directions from the manufacturer, follow them! Otherwise, use a low strength liquid soap and lukewarm water. Soak the top of the awning from the lowest end to highest, letting the soap work the dirt out slowly. Then, rinse the awning from the highest end to the lowest.

 

Consider storing inside

Some may find their awnings useful in the winter, especially in rainy climates. However, a buildup of cold water and snow combined with harsh winds can rapidly age and damage awnings, especially if they see regular usage. Consider storing your awning in a garage or otherwise protected area.

 

Repair tears immediately

If you notice a tear in your awning when inspecting it, DO NOT USE IT. Even a small tear can rapidly grow in harsh weather conditions, eventually ruining the awning entirely. Make sure to stow the awning immediately and call Peterson Canvas and Awning for repairs.

 

Watch the forecast

Keeping an eye on the forecast is a great way to ensure the long-term health of your awning. Consider staying inside and keeping your awning closed on windy days to lower the odds of stray debris costing you big time. If you tend to leave your awning open (or it is not retractable), make sure to get it out of harm’s way before any major snowfall might jeopardize its health. 

For more information about awnings and maintenance, call Peterson Canvas & Awning  at (970) 493-4033 today! We carry a large variety of residential retractable awnings, commercial awnings and sail shades.

How Awning Color can Help Your Business

Posted on by Meghan Lalonde

Have you ever walked into a store and noticed posters and signs in a significantly bold color that attracted your attention? That is because certain colors can affect a customer’s mood and spending behavior. Brands use psychology to appeal to their potential customers.

Having a custom awning created for your business will lead to more new customers walking through your door. The perfect awning design and color will send a positive message about your products and services, and could ultimately help you increase sales.

Colors:
Green is the color of money, health, and nature. Customers usually feel comfortable seeing green outside or inside a store.

Red is the color of power. Its boldness attracts customers’ attention and is the most popular color for marketing any business.

Orange can mean many things to people. It can evoke a feeling of power, energy or even fun. It is an attracting color for young children.

Blue signifies trust and wisdom.

Pink tends to attract females, and usually signifies sales of feminine products and services catering to women.

Yellow is also a power color. It can also exude confidence and fun.

Purple is the color of royalty and can symbolize luxury products and services.

Gold also is a royal color that denotes elegance and wealth.

Brown signifies nature and Earth. It can also be used for stability and relaxation.

Black can signify elegance and is great when used as a contrast color.

Whatever color you choose, your business will greatly benefit from a custom awning that fits the message you want to convey to your customers. Peterson Canvas offers a variety of colors and styles to consider. Contact us today at 970 493 4033.

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