Elevate Your Outdoor Experience with a Balcony Awning

Are you yearning for the ultimate outdoor experience this summer? Look no further than a patio or balcony awning, a perfect solution that fulfills both your practical requirements and aesthetic desires. By selecting the perfect model, you can revel in its multitude of advantages, basking in shade and protection from the scorching sun during heatwaves, while also reaping the benefits indoors as your AC unit enjoys a well-deserved respite.

It's a great way to enhance both backyard space and home comfort. We'll walk you through the different models and the many options available to help you choose the one that suits both your outdoor space and your lifestyle.

This summer, let your awning extend beyond your balcony or patio to delight your senses.

Why install a balcony awning?

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Living in a region where summers never seem to stretch out long enough, a balcony awning allows people to spend more time outdoors. Come rain or shine, a balcony awning can turn your outdoor space into a wonderful little cocoon.

It’s an undeniable value added to your outdoor space and it takes your patio game up to a whole other level. Why settle for merely decorating your deck when you could transform it into a whole new space that expands beyond the confines of your home? Your new outdoor dining area or living room could be the perfect place to gather with friends, but it could also be the perfect living space for the whole family.

7 Advantages of Having a Balcony Awning

• It’s an exceptionally comfortable space to relax or gather with guests.

• It personalizes your backyard and contributes to the uniqueness of the space.

• By shielding you from rain or sunshine, it allows you to fully benefit from the summer months. 

• It’s a value added to your property.

• It’s a long-term investment: a well-maintained awning can easily last 15 to 20 years, 30 even.

• It envelops a part of your home with shade, helps keep rooms cooler, and saves you up to 17% on air-conditioning costs by creating zones of shade in certain areas in your home.

• In an exposed backyard, it adds a sense of privacy to your patio or deck, shielding you from prying eyes.

How to Choose a Balcony Awning

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Before settling for one particular awning, you have to consider several factors, such as:

• The square footage to cover;

• Sun exposure;

• Wind strength.

You also need to determine whether or not you want to use it as a shelter when it's raining. Consider whether you want it to be fixed or retractable, so you can enjoy the sun from time to time, or the starry night sky.

Since there’s a wide range of models available on the market, it’s best to think over your decision to ensure you’re making the right choice based on your long-term needs.

Don't buy one on a whim! Some flashy models may appeal to you at first, but may not meet your long-term needs.

Keep in mind that it’s best to choose patterns and colours that blend in with the rest of your house—siding and style—rather than succumbing to a favourite that won’t necessarily, once the spell has worn off, meet your needs down the line!

5 Fan-Favourite Brands of Awnings

Based on the space to cover and the property’s architecture, some brands could be a better fit compared to others. Here are a few brands that stand out from the crowd, awning-wise.

Mitjavila 

Made in Quebec, Majavila awnings offer great flexibility and are available in various sizes, both manual and motorized. Also worth noting: they're easy to repair, if necessary.

BAT

Here’s an Italian best, a meticulously crafted model, with over 500 colours, variable slopes, and motors to suit all needs. The ultimate sun and rain protection.

Corradi

A high-quality, European-looking, retractable awning. It features a fixed, waterproof structure made of aluminum or exotic wood. While the colour scheme is rather limited, people still steer toward it due to its smartphone feature. 

Bellon

With over 125 years of experience in the industry, Bellon offers its own exclusive brand, developed to meet the needs of residents of Quebec. This results in a wide range of fabrics and flexibility in terms of awning slope. Bellon also offers awning fabric storage, cleaning, and repair services.

Stobag

Yet another well-known brand, hailing from Switzerland. Available in 300 patterns and colours to give your outdoor space a unique look.

A Tailor-Made Awning for Your Home 

Every year, a lot of people mistakenly choose to invest in a low-end awning, which proves to be just so. Albeit cost-effective at first, it deteriorates rather quickly and offers very few advantages when compared to a custom-made awning. 

Aside from its superior quality in general, the first advantage of a custom-made awning is that it’s perfectly fitted to your outdoor space to fully meet your various needs. Designed based on the size of your patio, it perfectly blends in to enhance your décor. You also have access to a huge selection of colours and patterns that perfectly match your house.

It takes 3 to 4 weeks to design and manufacture a made-to-order awning. By just grabbing one off the shelves, you can install it the same day; however, an awning that’ll last for years surely is worth waiting around for a few weeks. Also, the manufacturer almost always offers installation services. Some models can be installed by the homeowners themselves, but most of the time, it’s best to call in professionals. A poorly installed awning may cause both damage and injury. 

The Different Types of Outdoor Awnings

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Choose from various models with tinted glass, opaque or clear tops, and UV protection. Enjoy numerous configurations, with or without a valance. Let us guide you through the diverse choices to find your perfect awning.

Fixed or permanent awning

A fixed awning is permanent, in the sense that its structure remains in place all season, or year-round, depending on the model selected. If the awning is made of canvas, it should be carefully removed before winter and stored in a warm, dry area.

Retractable or manual awning

A retractable awning is kind of like a wall-mounted sunshade. It's fixed to a building wall and has retractable brackets that allow it to be folded away as required. It provides cover on hot summer days and can be retracted when you're out on the patio, looking to soak up the warmth of the sun at the beginning or end of the summer. It can be manually retracted using a hand crank.

In winter, the awning has to be retracted since the freeze could damage it. For added protection, a custom-made cover or case can be purchased to prevent rodents from nesting in it during the cold season.

NOTE: The retractable awning can also be freestanding if you’re not inclined on having it affixed to the side of your house. It’s a practical concept if you’re a tenant and aren’t allowed to alter the exterior shell of a structure. 

Motorized awning (remote-controlled)

Investing in a remote-controlled, retractable awning means getting the most out of the summer months. Versatile and ultra-functional, it suits all patios to help shield you from the sun and bad weather. It retracts by means of a motor connected to a wall switch or remote control. Some home-automated awnings can also be controlled via a smart device. This means you can remotely control the awning if unexpected rainfall jeopardizes your patio furniture.

WE LOVE the wind and rain sensor that automatically retracts the awning when the wind picks up or rainfall occurs. A range of settings enables the awning to withstand different weather conditions. And, as an added bonus: the retractable awning and patio heater can be connected!

Glass awning

The fixed or permanent glass awning allows you to benefit from your outdoor space, at all times, no matter the weather. Your patio furniture is always protected and you’ll never have to postpone outdoor gatherings due to bad weather.

These are custom-made and ideal for decks, patios, or balconies, and, as an added bonus, said structure allows you to significantly limit the heating value inside your home! Designed to withstand the harshest weather, there's no need to worry, winter or summer. Now that's something to feel good about!

Aluminum composite structures guarantee up to 30 years of service life, while 5 mm thick tempered glass is synonymous with peace of mind, come rain or shine. Opt for clear or opaque panels or a combo of both. Last but not least, make sure your structure can withstand the weight of snow and is certified by local engineers. 

The Different Awning Materials

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Polycarbonate and aluminum are two quality materials used to manufacture awnings. It’s two really good options. Here’s essential information about each option:

Aluminum

Pros 

• More resistant and durable than polycarbonate

• Doesn’t fade

• Withstands extreme weather conditions, including hurricanes

• Average service life of 18 years

• Easy soap-and-water cleaning

• Higher resale value

Cons 

• More expensive than polycarbonate

• Heavier (requires heavy-duty anchors)

• Limited colour range, but can be painted

• More prone to corrosion if exposed to salt water or chemical products

Polycarbonate 

Pros 

• More affordable

• Withstands the weight of snow

• Doesn’t deteriorate over time

• Available in a wide range of colours and finishes

• Slightly more sheer so it doesn’t obstruct views

• Lighter, doesn’t require any structural support

• Easier to install

Cons

• Doesn’t withstand extreme weather conditions as well

• Made with PVC plastic, which can crack

• Less cold-resistant

• Not as UV ray-resistant

• More high-maintenance

• Turns yellow or gray if not cleaned with bleach every year