Littleton, CO, has a mild climate with warm summers. It’s by no means the hottest region in the country. However, an awning fabric can still be a great investment for better sun protection on days when it’s sunny with a cloudless sky. Find out how an addition as simple as a retractable awning can contribute greatly to your dermal health. Why Skin Care Matters Not many people know that the skin is an organ. In fact, it’s the biggest organ in the body. It deserves attention and care just as much as your heart, liver, etc. The effects of constant UV ray exposure can be harmful. It’s the primary cause of skin cancer. Sun rays can penetrate the skin surface and cause DNA damage. Altered DNA leads to malignant tumor growth. How an Awning Protects Your Skin Awning fabric isn’t just a piece of cloth. The material is carefully crafted and designed to block out close to 100% of UV rays. In fact, one of our trusted suppliers is Sunbrella®, whose fabric is approved both by the American Cancer Society and the Skin Care Foundation. Sun-blocking fabric must meet rigorous criteria to gain approval from these institutions. Independent testers must

Parker is a beautiful town nestled in South Denver. Its main attraction is its western-themed downtown, with many homes echoing this architecture. One way to complement this design scheme is through the addition of retractable screens for the patio. This gives the exterior a more welcoming vibe while also greatly enhancing the patio’s functional use. Find out how outdoor screens are excellent additions for cold and hot weather use.  Block Harmful UV Rays Retractable screens minimize the impact of direct sunray exposure. This makes the patio more usable during daytime hours. You no longer have to retreat to the comfort of the interior with the AC on full blast. In addition, patio screens also reduce indoor temperatures. The screens lessen solar heat gain by preventing too much sun from penetrating the windows and heating the interior.  Minimize Bug Intrusion Retractable screens provide a barrier that keeps pests like mosquitoes and flies from getting into the patio while it’s in use. It’s not 100% fail-proof as a bug barrier, but it will certainly keep more pests out compared to no barrier at all. In addition, the screen is “breathable”, so it keeps bugs but keeps the cool air flowing in. This

Lafayette, CO, is known for hot summers, with the sunny days reaching temperatures as high as the mid-90s Fahrenheit. A Sunsetter awning is a great addition that keeps the temperatures down and makes the patio more bearable for outdoor use. In terms of appearances, the awning can also be incorporated into the latest outdoor designs. Find out how awnings can match with home decor that’s trending at the moment. Add Shade-Thriving Plants A Sunsetter awning provides shade, so why not use this to your advantage with greenery that mainly thrives in the shade? Shade-tolerant plants are plentiful. Examples include ferns, begonias, violas, primroses, and toad lilies, to name a few. These can be strategically placed in sections that encompass the shaded areas when the awning is in the fully extended position. Incorporate a Sauna A built-in sauna or a hot tub is an excellent feature that makes for a cozy, evening gathering point for a small party of two to four people. This can be installed directly under the Sunsetter awning, so it provides ample shade for daytime use. Alternatively, there are also exterior solar screens that provide vertical shading for additional UV-ray protection and add privacy for more intimate

Are you contemplating exterior window shades? Conifer, CO, lies at the base of the Rockies. The area’s general climate is quite mild, with summer temperatures that are dry and warm, but not blistering hot. Nevertheless, it still gets quite hot in the peak of summer. Outdoor shades are a simple yet impactful way to bring down the outdoor temperatures and cut down on energy costs in the process. Reduce Heating The most clear-cut energy-saving advantage of exterior window shades is that it keeps your home cooler in the summer months by minimizing UV ray penetration through the windows. In turn, this minimizes interior heat gain and keeps the indoors cooler than the outdoors. This also reduces AC reliance, as your thermostat can be adjusted to a lower setting or to eco-mode without sacrificing comfort.  Preserve Furniture UV rays can cause items like furniture, carpet, and artwork to fade over time. Discolored furniture, curtains, and flooring can detract from your interior’s appearance. You would then have to replace or restore these items. Either scenario can be quite cost-prohibitive. Some homeowners resort to DIY restoration, but these solutions seldom provide the desired results. Exterior window shades block out enough UV rays to

Temperatures in Centennial average in the mid to high 80s in the summer. The climate is also arid due to the region’s relatively high elevation. This is where metal awnings come in, offering a cost-saving investment for homeowners. While Centennial isn’t the hottest area by a long shot, it still gets pretty hot by June through August. Here are the reasons that make awnings a worthwhile installation. Long-Lasting Metal Frames As implied in the name, metal awnings contain metal frames. This part of the component is made from high-quality steel or aluminum and treated to withstand UV rays, rain, and other weather elements. This ensures the frame lasts as long as the fabric, if not longer. Poor construction leaves the metal prone to rusting and loss of tensile strength. Make Use of the Patio on Hot Days The summer is the ideal time of the year to spend time outdoors for barbecues, cookouts, and luaus. However, most homeowners are dissuaded from spending time on the patio due to the blistering temperatures. An awning provides ample shading, thereby making the patio significantly cooler and more tolerable. Lower Indoor Temperatures Did you know that outdoor metal awnings also help to cool the

If you’re contemplating a patio awning for your Roxborough Park home, then you may want to consider adding a valance on top of that. When it comes to valances, people tend to think of a small drapery hung over the window to accompany the curtains. However, this fixture is also attached to the end of an awning. Learn how this simple yet important fixture can enhance the awning’s function. How Does an Awning Valance Work? A valance is simply an additional piece of fabric, usually around eight inches in length, that’s attached to the end of the awning. This piece can easily be installed and removed. What exactly does an additional eight-inch piece of fabric do for the awning? It actually serves multiple purposes, which we discuss below. Provides Extra Sun Protection The main purpose is to provide additional sun protection. This is especially recommended for a sun-facing patio. One may believe a mere extra eight inches of fabric may not do much, but it can block out additional sun and provide shading in areas where the main awning may miss. More shading is always helpful, particularly if you want to maximize the patio space on a hot summer day.

Patio doors with interior blinds can be a cost-effective home cooling solution. If your home contains a patio, then it likely also has a sliding glass door. This is a huge opening for sunrays to penetrate through the glass and add several degrees of heat to the interior. This can make the home uncomfortably hot during the summer months. This is where interior shades can make a positive impact in cooling the home in an environmentally friendly way. How Patio Doors with Interior Blinds Work Interior blinds for patio sliding doors operate similarly to window shades. They’re placed over the glass door and can be easily rolled up or retracted vertically using a knob or a switch. They can be placed over the entire glass door, including both the sliding and non-sliding portions, for optimal shade. Alternatively, panel track blinds operate similarly, with wider panels and an overhead track that allows the shade to glide horizontally. These function much more like conventional curtains. Cool the Home Naturally Patio doors with interior blinds can keep the home cooler, especially on cloudless sunny days. Most patio doors are located adjacent to the kitchen. This is the room that naturally traps a lot

Are you contemplating an outdoor renovation for your Indian Hills home? There are plenty of ideas, from retention walls to a deck. An excellent addition with great functionality is a roofed pergola, or a louvered roof, as it’s more commonly known. This makes your patio more usable and comfortable, no matter the weather conditions or time of the year. Here are six benefits associated with a roofed pergola and why more homeowners are installing one in their backyard. 1) Weather Protection Year-round The louvered top is adjustable; it can be opened or closed all the way, or left partially opened at an angle of your choosing. Fully shut it for complete protection against the rain or sunny days. Leave it fully open for full sunlight, or keep it halfway open for just enough light to illuminate the patio or yard. Spend more time outdoors regardless of the temperature or time of the day. 2) Promotes Green Living The roofed pergola acts as natural shading against the outdoor elements. This minimizes the need for other systems like an outdoor fan, heater, or firepit, all of which consume energy in some form or another. Your home emits fewer greenhouse gases, and you

With winter here, now is probably not the time of year when you’ll be making maximum use of your window awnings. This makes it the ideal time to give the awnings a thorough cleaning. This is a task homeowners tend to overlook, but it’s more important than you think. Here are the reasons routine awning cleaning matters and whether this requires professional servicing. Extends the Lifespan Awnings are an investment like any other part of the home. Outdoor pollutants like dust, mildew, and moss can wear out the fabric and cause rust to form on the metal or aluminum frames. Regular professional cleaning will extend the longevity, in turn offsetting more costly repairs. You save money and get the full investment out of the initial installation. Enhance Cosmetic Appeal Window awnings are mostly out of sight when in the retracted position. However, it’s highly visible to you, guests, neighbors, and onlookers when fully extended. If the fabric is stained or discolored, it’s going to show. This detracts from the overall curb appeal. A clean awning complements nicely with other parts of the home exterior, such as the siding, shutters, and surrounding foliage. Prevents Long-Term Damage Outdoor elements are more hazardous

Have you considered installing an awning for the house in Lone Tree? With the New Year just around the corner, it’s time to contemplate your resolutions. For many people, this includes health and career-related goals. However, it’s also a good idea to consider goals related to home improvement. Bettering your household can go a long way in enhancing your living quality. One installation is a retractable awning. Learn about this addition and why it makes for a great renovation for the New Year. Warms the Exterior An awning can warm the patio or deck by partially blocking out winter winds. This makes the outdoor area more usable on chilly and windy days. Kick off the New Year by spending more time outside with the family while remaining within the private confines of your property. The combination of an awning for intercepting winds and a portable heater or outdoor fire pit keeps the exterior space cozy throughout winter.  Cools the Home Naturally Summer is still a ways off, but it’s never too early to start thinking about ways to cool the interior naturally. Apart from an awning, there are similar additions like interior shades that block solar heat before they reach