Awnings can be a tool for staying cool

Tag : Trampoline Fabric

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Awnings are common in Europe, where nearlyone of 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 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 with herhusband, Jim.
Another benefit of O'Brien's awning is that it cools his livingroom, which has a large picture window, and 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 & 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,compared with stationary ones commonly used at businesses. Theawning runs on a motor instead of a manual crank system, whichO'Brien had to use a few days while he waited for an electrician toinstall an outdoor power outlet. He found the system cumbersomebecause it took minutes of nonstop cranking.
Now he uses a remote control — inside or outside — toautomatically roll up the awning in heavy winds and storms. Awningscan last eight to 10 years, and keeping them out of bad weather canprolong their life.
The typical 14-by-10-foot awning starts at $3,500. Motorizationadds $800, and remote controls an additional $300.
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 is considering awnings to shade thewindows on the west side of his home. For his south-facing deck heuses a canopy, a shade triangle made of tan fabric called Coolaroo.
The Australian-based knitted mesh is used on boat sails and istouted for blocking 90 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays andwithstanding rain.
"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 ata hardware store.
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.