Those awnings you added to your home have really kept the house nice and cool in hot weather while also protecting your outdoor furniture in rainy weather. Yet the awnings themselves don't have much protection. They're exposed to all the sun, rain, hail, and extreme temperatures that they're supposed to protect against. That can leave the awnings looking pretty bad after a while. They might also be damaged. Instead of letting nature have its way with your awnings, take charge and actively protect them.

UV Protection

All awnings on your house, regardless of material, need UV protection. Exposure to the sun's rays will cause colors to fade, fabrics to fray, and metal to warp if none of it has any sort of UV coating. You can buy awnings that are pre-treated, or you can add the treatment after the awnings have been installed. Whichever path you take, however, you have to get UV protection onto those awnings fast. If you currently have awnings that don't appear to be protected, have the awnings inspected and coated if they're still in good shape. If they're not, replace them with new awnings that are coated.

Joint Lubrication

If you have retractable awnings, make sure the joints in the frame are lubricated and working well. There is nothing more annoying to an awning owner than seeing the awning get stuck in a half-up/half-down position. The joints can easily rust if they are damaged and any protective coatings are scratched off. Debris such as leaves can get caught in the joints as well, and you can remove the debris when you take a look at the joints.

Awning Broom

Speaking of leaves, get an awning broom. This is a long-handled broom, often with a telescoping handle, and a wide head that lets you gently brush leaves and dirt off the awning. Letting leaves pile up on the top of the awning may not seem like a big deal to you because you never see them, but they can serve as nests for animals and bugs—and those you'd likely see once they invaded your home. Keep the top of the awning clean to avoid problems like that.

Awnings last a long time. But they will last even longer if you can keep them in better shape and protect them from the elements. If you find anything that looks like damage on the awning, or if there are parts you can't safely reach and look at, contact an awning repair company, such as Lockhart Gene & Son Canvas Awnings.

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