Exterior Shading comes in many forms from shade umbrellas, gazebos and pergolas to fixed blinds and shutters.

 

Peter Meyer has been a driving force in the window covering industry for more than thirty years.  Peter Meyer Blinds sells a wide range of window coverings as well as awnings, outdoor roller blinds and more recently exterior metal venetians.

Question: There’s such a wide variety of option available in outdoor shading.  It’s a pretty broad question but what considerations should be made when considering the best awning solution for shading outdoor areas?

Peter:  Certainly there is a wide choice of options available in varying prices, however in my opinion the key is not so much in choosing the right product but the right company. 

A professional supplier will have the expertise, experience and knowledge to suggest the right shading solution best suited to their client’s needs and the environment where the shading is required.  For example, we have one person on staff, a qualified builder, whose sole role is to advise on outdoor shading.

We always use qualified and experienced installers.  The installation quality is an essential part of the finished job.  We have even used absailers on city buildings.  These are tradesmen who love absailing and just happen to be very good tradesmen.

 At this stage there are no standards set for outdoor shading, so it’s vital to ask about the qualification of the person who is doing the installation.

 

When I started in the business the old style drop canvas awnings and cupolas were about the only options available for outdoor shade.  Today outdoor shading is all about lifestyle.  Verandas, patios and other outdoor areas have virtually become another room of the house and we can now offer shading solutions to meet every requirement. 

My best tip for outdoor awnings is to make them both retractable and motorised.  The cost of a motorised shade is really not much more than a manual fitting and I would also highly recommend wind sensors which automatically retract the awning under windy conditions. Even the best quality awnings can be damaged by very high winds if not retracted.

 

Question:  In this highly competitive area there seems to be a wide range of price options for products that appear at first glance to be fairly similar.  How do you discern a product that will go the distance?  And what questions should we be asking in relation to the fabrics, fittings and operation?

Peter:  The quality of the fittings is key in choosing outdoor shading that will stand the test of time.  The quality of the metal arms is vital as they take the biggest part of the stress.   

In my experience Chinese fittings are not made with a quality of metal that compares with the European fittings. So I would ask your prospective supplier where the products are manufactured.  My preference is always for a German or Italian product.  You’ll find that the cheaper products on the market aren’t really very much cheaper however the difference in quality over the long term is significant. 

One of the major differences in folding arm awnings is the arm operating system.  The quality and number of the cables or wires inside the arms (which assist in retracting the arms) is also important.  Cheaper awnings use a single cable or chain.  Imagine a 7 metre awning swinging on an arm with a single cable, especially if it lets go.

Awnings are an investment and not something you would like to have to replace every few years and the reality is that the cheaper products are not made to last long term.  My advice is that if the quote sems too good (read cheap) to be true, it probably is.  You only (read deserve) get what you pay for.  Always buy quality.  It’s it’s own reward.

 

Generally speaking, people assume awning fabrics are waterproofed and this isn’t the case.  The best way to ensure dry shading is to request a fabric that tensions well, that is a fabric that has good horizontal and vertical stability, so water won’t pool.

There is a limited variety awning fabrics on the market as people tend to be fairly conservative in fabric choices.  We use Dickson Constant, Sheerweeve  and Solstis which has excellent horizontal and vertical stability, particularly important in larger installations.

    

Question:  For undercover areas requiring protection from the elements, say for example a covered veranda, what are the options for sun, wind and rain protection in vertical shading?

Peter: Exterior rollers are becoming a really big part of what we do.  They are a very effective and neat way of enclosing areas and are also a very good look. 

 

The latest addition to the market, outdoor metal venetians are a terrific architectural look and extremely versatile.

They provide a host of options as they operate in much the same way as a traditional indoor venetian, so they offer maximum sun protection when required, a filtered view or can be totally retracted.

Left and above are some examples of applications by Peter Meyer Blinds.  For further information and enquire, click here. 

 

 

 

The SunRain Pergola below is a retractable roof system by Leiner of Germany.  Its unique rail system provides effortless coverage to large outdoor areas at the press of a button.

Completely waterproof PVC membranes are available in either block out or translucent versions.  The heavy duty aluminium frame is available in a large range of powder coat finishes including Leiner’s unique graphite texture.

SunRain is available through A’besco.  For further information, click here.

The umbrellas shown below are from Instant Shade.  Tulip is a revolutionary new umbrella featuring a truly distinctive design that’s contemporary and eye-catching.  It’s perfectly suited to high-end outdoor entertaining areas.  Prices start from $7,000 plus installation.

 

Sola is a truly elegant and technically refined residential side-post umbrella with a sporty, nautical flair.
360 degree rotation and multiple tilt levels make the Sola a good choice for patio, deck, pool, spa and courtyard areas.  The side-post design is perfect for covering tables without having to worry about the hassle of a central post.  Prices start from $2,095 plus installation.

 

The Sola cantilever umbrella can be rotated through 360 degrees to provide maximum flexibility and coverage especially over pool and spa areas.  It can be self-installed by a hand person using the optional easy installation accessories.

For further information contact Instant Shade on (03) 9555 9535 or email sandy@instantshade.com.au 

These large Café-style market umbrellas from Instant Shade offer maximum coverage.  Their lightweight aluminium frames also allow them to be moved easily.

 

The Gazebo below was made by Gazebo Shade which has outlets in Mildura and Albury, Victoria.  Made with treated pine, the gazebo is topped with a colourbond roof.  For further details call Dallas on 02 6025 9888 or email sales@bazeboshade.com.au 

For a total Island Resort look the huts and gazebos below are perfect.
These Bali and African style thatched gazebos below are made by Queenlsand builders, OZ Thatch.

 

The company has installed huts for owners all over Australia in a variety of thatching styles.  As well as natural thatch the company also uses artificial Art Thatch and timber shingles.  For enquiries phone Freecall 1800 thatch (1800 842 824) or email Stuart on info@ozthatch.com.au

This entry was posted on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 3:10 pm and is filed under Outdoor Decor, Outdoor Shades. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.