When looking for a metal awning you may have come across a perforated metal design. A perforated metal awning, or perforated metal canopy depending on where you are in the United States, is a specific type of awning.
These awnings are characterized by their blend of open and closed spaces and unique designs. While you might like a specific perforated metal design, you may be wondering what the best material to choose for it or whether it will work with your desired location. Here is a quick guide on how to pick the right material for your perforated metal awnings.
Why Choose a Perforated Metal Awning?
A perforated metal awning is one that instead of being made of solid metal is instead made with decorative holes and designs throughout it. There are several benefits to choosing a perforated design.
A perforated awning is an excellent choice if you are looking to add character or excitement to a building. Especially if the awning ends up attached to your home, a classic awning may be too jarring or distracting. A perforated awning does an excellent job of warding guests or customers from the sun. Since the design reduces the amount of metal in the awning, it also reduces the weight and strain placed on the outside of your building.
However, there is also a potential downside that you should be aware of before purchasing one. Since the design comes with holes interspersed throughout, it is not an ideal choice for keeping someone underneath dry during the rain or snow. If you are only looking for a sunshade, a perforated metal canopy is a great choice.
What Style of Support Can You Use?
When picking out an awning you want to make sure that you will be able to install proper support in order to keep it in place. The last thing that you want to happen is for your awing to come loose and crash to the ground.
Luckily perforated metal awnings can be used with a variety of different support foundations so you can pick the one that best suits your needs and fits the location. Here are a couple of different types of awning supports that you may want to consider, along with their pros and cons.
Hanger Supported
A hanger-supported awning will use wall plates and hanger rods to keep the awning upright. These will be installed above the awning which makes it the easiest support option out of each of this list. This is the best option for those who want a low-hassle installation or want an awning that can be installed right above a doorway or entrance.
Pros: Easy to install, can be level with top of doorways, low maintenance.
Cons: Requires plenty of open space above the awning, limited design variety
Cantilevered
A cantilevered awning uses supports extending underneath the awning to keep the awning in place. It is an excellent choice for those looking for a minimalist or low-profile design. It may be difficult to use for those wanting a longer or heavier awning.
Pros: Provides a clean minimal look to your awning. Does not require large amounts of space for supports above or below the awning.
Cons: Minimalist supports may struggle with heftier awnings.
Post Supported
A post-supported awning uses several posts (usually 2), to support the awning. This is a secure and stable design. However, it does require the addition of pillars below the awning which may increase your costs.
Pros: Most stable option form of support. Allows the incorporation of columns/pillars into your awning design.
Cons: Requires the construction of additional metal or concrete supports beneath the awning.
Arched
An arched awning is one that through its shape provides much of its own support. It may require the addition of hanger supports or columns for larger designs.
Pros: Provides a classic shape that adds a distinctive flair to a building.
Cons: This may require additional forms of support. Best used for smaller designs.
Curved
A curved support relies on the shape of the awning itself. The awing will be wider in the middle and narrower on each end. While this allows for great design variety, it needs other forms of support in order to work.
Pros: Allows for a great variety in design as well as creating awnings that can extend around corners.
Cons: Must use other forms of support for the awning as well.
What Colors Can You Use?
In addition to the type of awning, and the type of support that it will use, you might also be wondering what type of colors you can use with your perforated awning. This page shows you each of the paint colors that you can choose when you order an awning from us.
When choosing a paint for your awning you want to look for one that meets the AAMA 2604 Performance Requirments. Paints that meet these requirements have superior color retention and gloss, are resistant to the effects of a variety of weather conditions, and are resistant to erosion. Picking a paint that does these things ensures that your perforated awning will last for years to come.
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