The Kansas City Star

Tag : Umbrella Fabric
By Stacy Downs The Kansas City Star
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Awnings are common in Europe, where nearly oneof every three homes has one.
But in the United States, where only 3 percent of houses useawnings, they're more of a novelty. That number is growing,however, because people want to spend more time outdoors on theirpatios, porches and decks.
"They add another room to your home," says Greg O'Brien, who had afabric awning installed on the back of his Leawood, Kan., house ayear ago.
Before, O'Brien's west-facing patio would become uncomfortable whenthe temperature hit the 80s. In the summer, it felt like an oven.
With the awning, O'Brien, his wife, Kendra, and their 2-year-oldson, Griffin, use their patio more. It's become the spot where thefamily's golden retriever, Sam, takes naps.
Typically, awnings reduce the temperature by 10 to 15 degrees, saysSusan Haas, who owns Awnings by Haas in Overland Park, Kan., withher husband, Jim.
Another benefit of O'Brien's awning is that it cools his livingroom, which has a large picture window, and his hearth room.
"People with a southern or western exposure who use an awningdefinitely don't have to run the air conditioning as often," saysMike Chael, owner of Kansas City Tent and Awning Co., whichinstalled O'Brien's awning. "So many houses these days have bigbanks of windows, but the homeowners don't want heavy drapesblocking the view."
Awnings also block out ultraviolet rays. "People often buy anawning because they're concerned about skin cancer," Haas says."They cover more ground than a patio umbrella."
O'Brien's awning is retractable, the most popular type for homes.Stationary awnings are more commonly used at businesses. The awningruns on a motor instead of a manual crank system, which O'Brien hadto use for a few days while he waited for an electrician to installan outdoor power outlet. He found the system cumbersome because ittook minutes of nonstop cranking.
Now he uses a remote control - inside or outside - to automaticallyroll up the awning in heavy winds and storms. Awnings can lasteight to 10 years; keeping them out of bad weather can prolongtheir life.
The typical 14-by-10 awning starts at $3,500. Motorization adds$800; remote controls add $300 more.
So far, O'Brien hasn't had to clean his awning. Maintenanceinvolves occasional scrubbing with a soft-bristle brush and milddetergent.
Rick McDermott of Fairway, Kan., is considering awnings to shadethe windows on the west side of his home. For his south-facing deckhe uses a canopy, a shade triangle made of tan fabric calledCoolaroo.
Used on boat sails, the Australian-based knitted mesh is touted forblocking 90 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays and withstandingrain.
"A fringe benefit is that it protects us from falling walnuts,acting like a trampoline," McDermott says. "They also have astylish, clean look."
McDermott, an architect, has installed the organic-shaped system atclients' homes. When he installed his own five years ago, he boughtthe cloth himself and searched for his own cables and connectors atStrasser Hardware.
These days, Coolaroo fabric has become so popular that the shadesails are sold with hardware in stores and catalogs for $200 to$350, depending on the size.
McDermott brings in the shade sail for the winter. Before puttingit out in summer, he power-washes the fabric.
McClatchy-Tribune