Window Fashion VISION is a bi-monthly magazine that brings window treatment ideas, inspirations, industry updates, window covering ideas, and other helpful window design tips.
Anyone in the interior design or window covering/window treatment business can have a free subscription to their awesome magazine by simply signing up on their website.
In their May-June 2021 issue, an article features retractable awnings and how they are gaining momentum in adoption especially during the pandemic.
I was invited to share my thoughts on the topic and being in the business for 35 years, I had a lot to share so I was excited and thankful to be part of it.
As a supplement to the magazine feature, Sophia Bennett, Editor in Chief of Window Fashion VISION invited me and David Parrett Product Marketing Director - Motors & Controls at Somfy North America for a short virtual meeting to further discuss motorized awnings, pergolas, and screens and answer questions that would help promote the value of shading solutions.
This interview is posted on the magazine’s Facebook page and I’m sharing the link here for those who want to check it out.
It clocks in at around 24 minutes and if you’re in the interior design business, a window designer, an architect/landscape architect, or a homeowner looking for more information about awnings, then this interview is a can’t miss.
Why coordinating interior and exterior design is important
To recap the video. At around the 2-minute mark, we discuss why interior design professionals and planners must look into the exterior elements provided by shades and awnings.
In fact, I stated that coordinating the exterior shading solution to the interior design is an excellent strategy that could upsell services. Not to mention the aesthetic improvements and protective features that awnings bring to the table.
Being stuck at home, the pandemic also triggered more awareness about the cooling effect of retractable awnings and retractable shades, leading to an uptick in sales and usage.
Trends in the awning industry
At the 6-minute mark, it’s all about trends. As awning suppliers and manufacturers, we have a front seat view of what customers are buying. In this video, I laid down details of my observations as to what type of shade solution is popular - hint, both are motorized units.
Diving deeper, I also shared that there are two to three popular fabric color choices for certain types of homes. For example, in colonial-style homes, we noticed a preference for awnings or shades that are red or dark blue with accent stripes.
Owners of contemporary homes in South Florida prefer brighter colors in yellow or blue.
With over 35 years of experience in awning sales and manufacturing, I’ve seen trends and styles change sometimes on a geographical basis or in housing styles. If you’re in the business of interior or window designing, it is important to have a reliable partner like Retractableawnings.com® to keep you updated on what the customer wants or needs.
Which products are popular?
At the 10-minute mark, we talked about which of our products are flying off the shelf. For residential customers, there’s a focus on buying affordable but long-lasting solutions such as folding arm awnings.
There’s more movement for our retractable pergolas and rotating and retractable louver roof systems for the commercial segment. The reason being these products are designed to be waterproof thus providing a rain-water shield to protect customers.
Our louver systems, like the Bioclimatique Rotating Louver Roof, can even protect against heavy snow making it perfect for restaurant owners so they can maximize their dining space all year round.
Next, we discuss that awnings are stepping into the Smart Home realm. Our products can be designed to have controls that can be triggered via a mobile app. Another innovation for the commercial segment is our smart control systems which need a security code to operate.
.jpg "ful cassette retractable awning")
Hiring a professional awning expert
At the 15-minute mark, we discuss the importance of having licensed awning experts install retractable pergolas and louver roof systems.
The complicated nature of the installation plus the electrical components involved necessitates that an awning professional should oversee the project.
For folding lateral arm awnings it is not necessary to use an awning installer but it is necessary to follow the installation instructions and use the correct type and size fastener based on the substrate the lateral arm retractable awning is being attached to.
For overall safety and peace of mind, always ask your awning supplier, architect, or designer for installation advice.
The shift to outdoor dining
At the 19-minute mark, the interview focused on the shift of restaurants to outdoor dining to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Restaurant owners have been investing in retractable shade solutions to ensure that diners are protected from the elements and thus increasing ROI.
We’re also seeing more homeowners, sick and tired of staying indoors, buying awnings and pergolas to make their outdoor space more habitable and conducive to dining.
If you’re a restaurant or bar owner, take note. Outdoor dining is here to stay.
Recommendations for choosing your awning
And to end the interview, at the 22-minute mark I gave a few recommendations on how to choose the right awning for your home or business. If you’re just a couple, maybe you just need a small awning or pergola like the Sanliurfa.
For people looking to put an awning, like the Mersin, over their backyard, you may want to consider adding retractable screens to add vertical shading for sun and/or rain and/or bug/pollen protection. Lastly, I wholly recommended using a Somfy motorized solution because the convenience it brings is just worth it.
If you’re stumped on finding what awning you should get, Retractableawnings.com® has a proprietary "Choose Your Awning" feature on our website to help prospective buyers with finding and choosing their awnings, pergolas, or screens based on their needs and preferences.
Closing
I would like to thank Windows Fashion VISION for inviting me to be part of their show and magazine.
If you’re looking for a trusted retractable awning manufacturer/distributor and canopy shades of the highest quality, simply call us at (305) 628-2424 or toll-free in the USA and Canada (866) 438-2964. You can also contact us using our live chat or send an email at .
Eric M. Scop, V.P. Sales | Digital Marketing
