The concept of a polycarbonate awning isn’t new, but we’re seeing a resurgence of interest in this option, as both residential and commercial clients are looking for unique ways to protect their doorways and windows.
What is a polycarbonate awning?
It’s fabricated from panels made of a thermoplastic polymer commonly known as Lexan. The panels can be clear, translucent, or opaque, and they can also be color-tinted. Because this material looks very different from fabric or metal awnings, it offers an intriguing alternative for designing window and door awnings.
You can use flat panels to form the roof of a polycarbonate awning and add side panels to create a box-style configuration. A polycarbonate awning can also be composed of arches or very slightly curved shapes, used alone to form an “eyebrow” or in series to give a scalloped effect.
There are several framing bracket options; stainless steel, aluminium, and engineered composites which are attractive and aesthetically pleasing.
A polycarbonate awning offers many advantages.
These awnings are a good choice to protect people, doors, and windows from the sun and inclement weather when you want all the functional benefits of an awning with the least visual impact on your building’s façade. That can be important when you’re concerned about retaining the historic “presence” of your exterior without covering up lovely stonework or architecturally interesting window and door moldings.
Conversely, a polycarbonate awning can be a simple, minimalist addition to any style building or business.
Polycarbonate is exceedingly strong and durable. Lifetime expectancy typically runs 10-15 years, here’s why:
- Its high impact resistance makes the material virtually unbreakable and can withstand hurricane-force winds up to a Category 1 Hurricane.
- Polycarbonate has outstanding optical properties, blocking up to 99% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays without blocking natural light and making it an excellent option for protecting people and belongings. Those same properties enable a polycarbonate awning to resist damage from sun or rain such as warping, fading, yellowing, or other discoloration.
- It’s highly resistant to extreme heat and cold, so it lasts longer than many other typical awning construction materials.
- It’s very lightweight, accommodating lighter-weight framing without sacrificing sturdiness or durability. Transportation and installation are less cumbersome, and that can help keep costs down.
A polycarbonate awning gives you a distinctively different visual option compared to other types of awnings. Is it the right look for your application? Visit the The Awning Gallery shop and we will help you select an awning to fit your needs and budget.
