Making You the Expert Overseer of Your Awning Installation

By the time you read this you've probably already decided to purchase awnings as a means to increase energy savings and enhance your home or business.  Maybe you've already double checked your awning manufacturer to be sure the company is using quality products so your awning will have the lonest life possible.  If not, click here to learn more about how to select quality awnings.  (on the web this will link to the quality article and I'll put a link there for this article.)

Now it's time for the install.  There are some things you need to know so you can rest easy knowing your new awnings have been installed with the excellence that matches the high quality you selected in the product itself.  Whether you are directly interfacing with the installer or you have someone handling that job for you, it's always a good idea to know as much as possible about the operation so you can ask all the right questions.

Proper Anchorage is the Key to a Great Install

Experience has indicated that when structural failure of any kind occurs in awning framework, it is generally at the point of anchorage.  Things that are important for you to know about the installation process and the anchoring of your new awnings include:

1. The choice of an anchoring system for your awning or canopy will depend on the construction of your home or building. Whether it is brick, wood, concrete, steel, or another material, discuss with your awning company what is the best method of attachment..
2. If permits have been issued for your particular job, make sure that the type of anchoring bolt is what was specified in the drawings that were approved by the City.
3. The normal way of attachment for awnings is using what is called in the industry a “z” bracket that is attached to your awning frame on one end and the other end is attached to the wall that contains a support element such as a wood or metal stud. Several pieces of information are necessary in order to make a rational choice of frame anchors.  These  include:
1. the amount and direction of imposed loads on the frame,
2. location of the anchors,
3. reaction loads at the anchors,
4. details of the parent structure where awning is being attached.
   

The first piece of information for choosing anchors must be based on some familiarity with local climate patterns and the building codes.  As an example when the wind induces a vertical up load on the system, the reaction loads at the bottom of the awning frame will be negative, which means that the frame will try to pull away from the building, consequently fasteners will be in tension and shear.  When the same structure is loaded with a vertical down load such as snow, the reaction load at the bottom of the frame will be positive which will cause the frame to push against the building, so there will be shear tension on the fasteners.  The size of the anchors and frequency will be determined by wall condition, weather patterns and engineering calculations of the loading and stress put upon anchors.

What to watch out for!

Be sure that your awning is not just simply attached by using plastic shields that do not have any support quality to it, and are not attached to structural support elements. This allows awnings to be blown away when wind conditions become extreme.

 

 

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