Based on the needs of your business, a commercial awning can add great value to your shop or restaurant. It can help provide shade, reduce the need for air conditioning, and help your business stand out for potential customers on the street. The commercial awning you choose should balance the functional benefits with the representation of your brand. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right commercial awning to help you draw more customers into your business.
Functional Benefits
A commercial awning can be as simple as a fixed, dome-like structure above your entryway or as functional as a retractable roof structure that stretches out above your outdoor seating area. Identifying your needs is key for choosing the right version.
Begin by asking yourself these questions:
- Which benefits of commercial awnings are most important, such as guest comfort versus asset protection?
- Am I looking for the awning to help with my energy efficiency goals?
- How large of a space do I want to cover, such as an entire patio versus the storefront’s windows?
- Do you want it to be motorized or manual?
By exploring your functionality needs, you’ll be able to choose awning options that are right for your property and customers.
Aesthetic Benefits
As a visible addition to your property, your commercial awning becomes part of your brand. Therefore, it must represent your company appropriately. The colors you choose should blend with your marketing, and the printing should align with your company’s logo. But beyond that, the awning should fit with your brand personality.
Think about these questions:
- Do I portray my business as a luxury brand or do we value simplicity?
- What do my customers expect when interacting with my brand?
- How do my customers identify my brand from the competitors?
These questions can help you start sorting through whether you’ll be best-served with an impressive product, such as the sleek and modern Slide on Track awning, or something simpler, such as the classically beautiful Slide on Wire version. It will help you consider the fabrics you’ll choose, based on the color and printing options available.
Your well-designed, top-quality retractable commercial awning helps you stand out from the competition. To help you explore which products are best-suited for your store or restaurant, we created this overview: 5 Main Types of Retractable Structures & Awnings.
Is a Retractable Commercial Awning Right for Your Property?
At Retractable Structures (a division of Eide Industries, Inc.), we specialize in designing, manufacturing, and engineering commercial retractable structures and awnings. With almost 80 years of extensive design, construction, metal fabrication, industrial sewing, and installation experience, we are proud to offer the highest quality custom and pre-engineered products possible, made right here in the U.S.