A Few Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing an Awning for Home

Choosing an awning for your home is an exciting way to enhance your outdoor living space. Knowing what to look for when selecting an awning can help you find the right size, style, and features for your needs.

For Bloomington homeowners, it's important to choose an awning that complements your home while providing comfort and protection through sunny summers, sudden storms, and snowy Minnesota winters. With the right choice, you can enjoy your outdoor space season after season!

Making the Right Choice: A Guide to Home Awnings

Choosing the right awning starts with a few important details, including size, fabric, and installation. Taking the time to explore your options helps ensure you find the perfect fit for your home and outdoor space!

1. Guessing the size. An awning that is too small leaves part of the patio in the sun. Measure your deck or patio, then compare it with the width and projection of each model.
2. Ignoring sun direction. South- and west-facing spaces often get the strongest afternoon sun. Note where the sun hits your space before you choose a style.
3. Skipping wind and snow limits. Open awnings can be harmed by strong wind and heavy snow. Plan to retract yours in rough weather, and ask about cassette housings that protect the retracted fabric.
4. Choosing fabric on color alone. Compare fade, mold, and mildew resistance too. Sunbrella and SunSetter Performance Acrylic are two popular fabric choices.
5. Picking the wrong operation style. A motorized model opens with a remote or button, while a manual model uses a hand crank. Think about how often you will use it.
6. Mounting it yourself. Awnings are heavy and need a secure hold on the wall or framing. A professional installer can check the mounting surface first.
7. Warranty. Ask what the warranty covers and for how long before you buy.

  Matching Awnings for Home Use to Your Space

Awnings for home use come in several styles, so match the style to how you live. Lateral arm models shade decks and patios, while freestanding and vertical support styles work where a wall mount is not ideal.

Think about your daily routine. If you grill, dine, or relax outside most evenings, pick coverage that reaches your seating area. If you want to keep the sun out of a sunroom or kitchen window, a smaller model may do the job.

Walk your yard with a tape measure and a notebook. Write down the width, the projection, and the height of the mounting spot. This simple step helps you compare models with confidence and avoid costly surprises.

Why Size and Placement Matter

The right size keeps shade where you want it. Bloomington homes range from compact townhomes to larger houses with wide decks.

Some models come in widths from 8 feet to 20 feet. Larger decks may need a model with a longer projection. Measure twice, and note any doors, windows, or railings in the way.

Sun angle changes through the day and the year. A spot that is shady in the morning can be hot by late afternoon. Watch your patio at different times before you decide.

Planning for Minnesota Weather

Minnesota weather should shape your awning choice from the start. Wind, rain, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles all affect outdoor products.

Retract your awning before storms, and keep it closed in heavy snow. A semi-cassette or full cassette housing helps shield the fabric from dirt, wind, and snow while it is retracted. Choosing awnings for home use that match your local weather helps them last longer.

Choosing Fabric and Frame Details

Fabric controls how your awning looks and how long it lasts. Look for solution-dyed yarns that resist fading, mold, and mildew.

Check the frame as well. Strong aluminum parts and a clean, finished look add to both durability and curb appeal. You can see many fabric colors on our Platinum Series awnings page.

Questions to Ask Before You Buy

A few good questions can prevent most buying mistakes. Bring this list to any estimate visit:

1.  How wide and how far will the awning reach?
2. What fabric options are available, and how do they hold up in sun?
3. Is a motorized or manual model better for my patio?
4. What housing protects the fabric when it is retracted?
5. Who installs the awning, and how long does it take?
6. What does the warranty cover?
7. Does my neighborhood or HOA have rules I should check first?

  Final Tips for Homeowners

Take your time, measure carefully, and plan for Minnesota's seasons. When you match your awnings for home use to your space, sun, and weather, you get years of comfortable shade.

Check any city or neighborhood rules before installation so there are no surprises.

Get Help Choosing the Right Awning

At Minnesota Awnings, our team helps Bloomington homeowners pick, order, and install SunSetter awnings with a white glove process from order to install. Read what customers say about Minnesota Awnings on Google.

Call 952-248-2075 for a free estimate or contact us to ask a question.