Choosing the Best Awning for My Commercial Business Entry

Although the idiom that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover may be a nice idea when it comes to how we treat people, the truth is exterior appearance does matter. In some contexts, judging things by the quality of upkeep is a valuable way to establish a preliminary judgment.

For example, the exterior appearance of a business does tell you something about how the business is operated. If a business clearly doesn’t care about the exterior of their structure, you’re likely right to wonder about their attention to detail or their quality standards.

Your business’s exterior will likely be the first thing your customers see. You only have a few seconds to make a favorable impression, and a vibrant, well-maintained awning with your business’s name and logo can help.

You have a lot of choices when designing your business’s awning. The experts at Arizona Awnings will help you comb through your options. We’ll visit your business for free and without obligation, inspect your exterior and help you figure out what type of awning will complement your business and brand image best.

Factors to Consider When Designing Your Commercial Awning

Function

What is your awning’s primary purpose? To shade your patio, to promote your business to passersby or to protect customers and/or merchandise from the elements? How you intend to utilize your awning will affect many aspects of its design, from its size to its material.

Size

How you want to use your commercial awning will be a key determinant when picking a size. Do you want the awning to shade just your front door or your doors and windows? Are you most concerned with decreasing sun glare or is your primary goal to diminish heat gain in the sweltering Phoenix summer so customers can browse inside comfortably?

Angle

Our awning professionals will take what direction your business is facing into account when calculating the most efficient placement and angles for your awnings.

We especially recommend businesses in Phoenix with substantial southern and western exposure to shade their doors and windows. These buildings will be most prone to excessive sunlight exposure, putting their floors, furniture and artwork at risk of fading without proper protection.

Material

Your awning’s fabric should be durable and vibrant, exuding a vivid and long-lasting color that’s resistant to fading and can withstand the worst of Arizona’s monsoon season. At Arizona Awnings, we offer the best in fade and UV-resistant materials with our selection of durable, high-quality fabrics from Sunbrella™, FIRESIST™ and Coolaroo.

Customize your awning with hundreds of color options that are sure to stay brighter for longer with our 10-year warranty. We can customize your awning with your business’s brand colors and logo, which can help your business be spotted easily by people driving by or those in the parking lot. A branded awning can be a useful piece of persistent marketing that you can install for a one-time upfront cost.

Style and Shape

At Arizona Awnings, we offer a wide variety of awning styles that go far beyond the basic generic awning you might be familiar with. Shape options include:

• Convex
• Dome
• Long Dome
• Patio Covers
• Shade structure
• Rectangular shade sails

The shape you choose should ideally serve a functional purpose and be dictated by your end goal. An Arizona Awnings specialist can explain your options and which might best serve your needs. We can also provide advice on how to design it to ensure the awning is visible to people driving or walking by.

Valence

The beauty is in the details, and Arizona Awnings has ample details to choose from. We offer several soft valence styles that will enhance your commercial awning’s architecture, including:

• English
• Swiss
• Straight-hemmed edge
• Spanish
• Southwestern
• Roman
• French
• Riviera
• Greek
• Rolling hills

We can also deck out your awnings with lights, fans and heaters to maximize customer appeal. For cabanas and gazebos, our team can optimize the design to comfortably fit a TV and stereo inside.

Fixed or Retractable

Do you want a simple and durable awning that provides constant coverage, or an awning that’s flexible to your needs and can be easily retracted when shade isn’t necessary? The answer to that question will help you decide whether a fixed or retractable awning would serve your needs best.

If you want shade for an outdoor sitting area with the ability to retract your awning during the fall or winter when natural sunlight is welcome, or during monsoon season to reduce the risk of wind damage, we would generally recommend a retractable awning.

Typically, for most commercial applications, storefront awnings and those over windows or entrances will be fixed. Although seating areas often have larger fixed patio awnings or shade structures, retractable awnings are an option. 

Local Laws and Ordinances

After you decide what you want your awning to look like, you need to make sure it’s installed in accordance with the county’s and city’s ordinances. While Maricopa County generally doesn’t require business owners to file a building permit for awnings if the space is less than 200 square feet, ultimately, what a business can and can’t build is decided upon a case-by-case basis.

The experts at Arizona Awnings have decades of experience applying for building permits from the city and can answer any questions you may have.

Get Hassle-Free Installation of a High-Quality Awning for Your Business in Phoenix

Arizona Awnings has been installing awnings for Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale businesses for over 95 years. We’ll use our expertise and resources to enhance every detail of your awning.

Get maximized curb appeal for your business without breaking the bank. Explore our commercial awning portfolio to see our work or book a no-obligation consultation today by calling 602-252-3430.