Full Answer
How much weight can a retractable awning hold?
Some retractable awnings will support an extra 10 pounds, others 30, and some are rated for 300 pounds. Retractable awnings for rain protection often have higher wind ratings. The type of fabric rain awnings are made from is another important consideration. Vinyl is a rainproof material which doesn’t absorb moisture, stretch or shrink.
How much does a gallon of water weigh on a awning?
A gallon of water weighs approximately 8.35 pounds (a liter weighs 1 kg ). However, falling water is 64 pounds of force per cubic foot. A 12’x10’ awning has a surface area of 120 square feet. A light rain that drops 1/8” of rain will add 80 pounds of weight over the surface of the fabric.
How much wind can an awning withstand?
How much wind an awning can tolerate depends on its size, construction, wind force and direction, and how it is secured to a building or the ground. Quality awnings should have a Beaufort Wind Scale rating of 5 or a Wind Class 2 rating. That means they can withstand a constant breeze of 19-24 mph; not counting gusts.
What is the best material for an awning?
However, OSB, solid wood, and plywood are more suitable for bearing the weight of the awning. These materials can adequately support the weight of most awnings, even in the event there is no backing material. Vinyl siding is a plastic based product that is typically mounted over OSB or plywood sheeting.
What is stationary awning?
Stationary awnings, also called fixed awnings, are the first type of awning we will cover. Some models of fixed awnings have open ends and rely on horizontal support bars to brace the valence of the awning. Other models feature closed ends and a full frame that requires assembly before installation.
How far can a retractable awning be from the wall?
Most mounted retractable awnings offer significant projection from the wall. This projection, which can be over 10 feet, puts a substantial amount of stress on the wall. Because of this, it is necessary to locate axial studs in the wall using a stud finder before attempting to mount your awning.
How far do studs go on an awning?
Depending on the design of the awning, their lower mounts will be approximately two to four inches beyond the edges of the window or door casement. This allows most awning fasteners to puncture the concrete lap siding and sheathing and make contact with the studs.
What is vinyl siding?
Vinyl siding is a plastic based product that is typically mounted over OSB or plywood sheeting. Vinyl is very flexible and is only meant to serve as an aesthetic cladding. Weight should never be applied to the siding itself. Instead, the OSB, plywood, or framing members should be relied upon to support the weight of the awning.
What size torpedo level for awning?
For either kind of fixed awning, a six-inch magnetic torpedo level is needed to verify everything is level when mounting. Additionally, depending on the size of awning you're installing, you will also need either a 12-inch or 48-inch level to verify the location of the pilot holes.
Where to put power cord on retractable awning?
Most manufacturers offer the power cord to be placed on the left or right of the awning housing , but this must be specified at the time of order. However, many find the work of routing a dedicated outlet for the awning off-putting. We'll discuss how to deal with that in the section about all retractable models.
Can soffit mounts be used on awnings?
Buildings with eaves, or soffits, can use soffit mount brackets to hold the awning housing, so long as the eaves are as deep as the awning housing. This type of installation is particularly desirable for ranch homes that have a low roofline, as it moves the awning up further than a wall mount would allow.
How Much Weight Can Cedar Wood Hold?
Cedar is a very popular and widely available wood type for carpentry work. From the above list, we see Cedar falls into the lighter wood category. It’s not the best for heavy-duty load-bearing but it is durable and great for lightweight work.
How To Calculate How Much Weight Something Can Hold?
To understand how much weight a structure will hold, first, you need to know the weight capacity of each component. If it is a complex design, focus on the geometry of the structure. Draw a weight distribution map of the structure.
What About Sun, Snow, and Storms?
Retractable awnings help to shade outdoor spaces and reduce the solar gain within a building. They can cover residential and commercial patios, decks, sports venues, and hundreds of other possibilities. Most are designed to support the weight of the cover, plus a bit extra for wind, leaves, light rain, or a dusting of snow.
How long do retractable awnings last?
The quality of the retractable awning is an important factor regarding its durability. Most metal awnings will last years in the sun. Unfortunately, fabric, plastic or nylon parts and the coating on tension cables within the aluminum arms may not. Heat and UV rays can cause the material to fade, flake, and weaken.
Why are retractable awnings important?
It extends your outdoor living space and enjoyment. Canopies decrease the amount of heat entering windows and doors, which lowers air-conditioning requirements thus saving energy and money. Adding a retractable awning to your home or business will definitely enhance its appearance.
How to know when to retract awning?
Two good ways to know when you should retract your awning due to the wind are when the front bar starts to bounce, and if the wind keeps flipping the pages of the book you’re reading. Both anemometer type wind sensors and motion sensors are available to automatically close a retractable awning, retractable pergola, retractable louvered roof or rotating louvered roof system.
How much weight can a 1/4 awning hold?
A 1/4” will add 192 pounds, and a torrential downpour of 1” pushes that to 640 pounds. The bigger the surface, the more weight the arms must support. Some retractable awnings will support an extra 10 pounds, others 30, and some are rated for 300 pounds. Retractable awnings for rain protection often have higher wind ratings.
How much wind can an awning tolerate?
How much wind an awning can tolerate depends on its size, construction, wind force and direction, and how it is secured to a building or the ground. Quality awnings should have a Beaufort Wind Scale rating of 5 or a Wind Class 2 rating.
What is retractable awning?
Retractable awnings are commonly attached to buildings and RVs to provide shade and relief from the hot sun. They can also be used to protect outdoor areas and furniture from the rain. However, some materials are waterproof, and some are water resistant, so how effective they are depends on what they are made of.
How to protect fabric awnings from wind?
A simple way to protect motorized fabric awnings is to install a wind or motion sensor. The wind sensor monitors the wind speed while the motion sensor monitors the motion of the front bar and both will retract the awning if either senses dangerous winds. Add sun and rain sensors, and your awning becomes a self-operating shade provider even when you’re not home, helping you save money by protecting the outdoor and indoor furniture fabric, rugs and carpet from fading and interior spaces from heating up. Also ensuring your awning isn’t damaged by high winds.
How fast can a retractable roof awning go?
Retractable awnings and retractable roof pergolas for windy areas like part of Miami-Dade County have to meet Florida Building Codes, and some really will withstand winds of 55-63 mph when partially or fully extended. Although the awning may withstand a greater wind force, flying debris can still cause damage.
How fast can a Beaufort awning go?
Unrated or Class 0 either wasn’t tested or failed to withstand a sustained wind of 12 mph. Class 1 is rated to 12 mph (Beaufort 3), Class 2 (Beaufort 5) to 24 mph , and Class 3 (Beaufort 6) to 31 mph of sustained winds. When fully retracted (closed), some retractable awnings will survive 100 mph winds.
How much wind can an awning take?
Awnings are designed to provide shade and possibly keep you dry during a light rain. Many awnings are manufactured and tested to withstand a steady wind of 20 mph, not gusts; or a wind Class 2 (Beaufort 5) rating *. Unrated awnings failed to withstand a 12 mph steady breeze, and awnings rated wind Class 1 withstood a sustained breeze of 12mph. How much wind an awning can take depends on how it is built, what it’s made of, how large it is, and the wind force and direction.
What is the best awning for windy areas?
Best awnings for windy areas are retractable ones that have the fabric attached at the front bar and the structure wall, soffit/eave or roof. This permits the wind to escape out the sides and releases wind pressure on the arms. Motorized retractable awnings often use a wind sensor or motion sensor that automatically retracts the awning to prevent damage to the arms if the wind speed gets too high.
What is a wind resistant awning?
Buying a wind resistant awning will give you an awning that withstands moderate winds. However, the better choice may be to purchase one that is good for a windy day and pay extra for a wind or motion sensor just in case either is needed. If it’s too windy to relax under your awning, it probably should be closed. Before you purchase, check out the reviews and specifications on our website and make sure it has a minimum of a moderate wind rating.
How fast can wind blow an awning?
Nothing might happen, but it could damage your awning support arms.Retractable awnings that are rated for wind Class 2, if they are properly secured to a structure, should be fine in a steady wind speed of 19 to 24 mph.
