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Florida Commercial Awnings
West Coast Awnings has installed countless commercial awnings, retractable awnings, commercial canopies, ornamental metal, commercial railing, fence, and gates throughout Florida since its inception in 1957. We are one of the few state licensed and insured commercial awning companies in Florida. While our commercial awning manufacturing facility is based in Tampa, Florida (actually Clearwater), we install commercial awnings and canopies as far south as the Florida Keys and as far north as the Florida panhandle, including Destin, Panama City, Tallahasee, and Jacksonville. Our commercial awning installation crews regularly install commercial canopies throughout central Florida too, including Orlando, Kissimmee, Lakeland, Daytona Beach, and obviously the greater Tampa/Clearwater/St. Petersburg area, including Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando, Polk, and Manatee counties. Click here to see the list of areas we service.
Florida Commercial Awning DesignsFlorida Standing Seam Metal AwningsIn Tampa/Clearwater/St. Petersburg this type of commercial awning is extremely common, especially when used in conjunction with traditional fabric or canvas commercial awnings. Metal commercial awnings are generally fabricated with welded aluminum frames, which will never rust, though some prefer the strength afforded by steel frames, despite the inherent increase in maintenance. South Florida, particularly Dade County and Palm Beach County often require steel framing in order to comply with local code requirements. Stainless steel awning frames and aluminum frames with powder coated finish are often tough to tell apart, though you will typically get a better return on your investment by opting for aluminum. The standing seam roof panels are typically made of galvalume, or something comparable, and are available in a number of color options. The standing seam panels typically attached mechanically to the awning frame underneath. Florida Suspended Frame Metal AwningsThis type of design is popular through Florida, particularly in the Tampa Bay area, including Pinellas, Pasco, and Hillsborough counties. The awning frames, which are usually 6"-12" in height, typically extend 3-6 feet from the host structure. They are connected mechanically to the host structure in the rear and are also supported by diagonal suspension braces extending from the front area of the awning back toward wall mounts on the host structure a few feet above the awning. While the support arms do add strength to the cantilevered awning frame in typical conditions, their main purpose is to counteract uplift in heavy wind conditions, which are relatively common in Florida, particularly during tropical storm season. Suspended frame awning designs vary by project requirements. Some of the systems include an interior uni-body framing system covered with sheet metal, while others are slightly more basic in their framing, though are covered with some type of roof panels, often galvalume. The finish on these awnings varies, and common finishes include mill, brushed, polished, powder coated, and anodized. With regard to installation, the general contractor usually handles the installation of the eye bolts, which hold the awning support bars, separately with the framing contractor. This typically occurs much earlier in the project than the introduction of the awning contractor to the job. The awning company is usually one of the last subs to work on the job, and ideal commences installation after the majority of the project is complete. This reduces the likelihood of paint, caulk, or other undesirable materials from coming into contact with the awnings. Florida Integrated Gutter System AwningsCommercial awning systems intended to protect occupants from rain, which is a common feature in Florida commercial awnings, often include integrated gutter systems in their design. The gutters are sometimes supergutter, sometimes gutter beam, and other times they are a hybrid of various aluminum components assembled in a manner as to create a synthetic gutter. In any event, the purpose of any gutter, and any gutter system for that matter, is to move water from an undesired area of a structure to one that is more acceptable. The movement of the water is typically routed through the awning as to minimize the underlying awning occupants from its effects. The water is typically guided toward a downspout system or it may simply be released from a desired section or sections of the awning via scuppers or dropouts. West Coast Awnings offers a variety of options in this regard and can help ensure you and/or you client receive the optimal awning gutter system for your project. Florida Ornamental Eyebrows - Metal Eyebrows - Eyebrow AwningsWhile the nomenclature may vary, if you need "eyebrows" on your project in Florida, West Coast Awnings can help. Eyebrows typically refer to radius awnings or radius ornamental metal on the exterior facade of commercial buildings, which are generally though not always limited to retail strip malls. Eyebrows are typically mill finish, though can be painted depending on an architect or developer's desired look. The underlying structure is often fabricated of a custom welded structural aluminum framing system, which is then covered with panels of sheet metal, either via welds or rivets, or a combination. Mill finish systems typically are connected either via rivets or TIG welds, which reduces the need for grinding. When mill finish systems are MIG welded, the entire sheet metal is sanded in order to create a consistent finish throughout the piece. This method of finishing is much more labor intensive, and as such is typically more expensive, though many architects prefer this "brushed finish" look and are willing to pay a premium to achieve it. Aside from a welded aluminum frame underneath, some eyebrows use large structural members to form the radius themselves. This is a much more expensive process as it involves more materials, more expensive materials, and the additional labor and expensive associated with bending larger extrusions. In any event, West Coast Awnings offers awning value engineering in this class of product as well as all of our others. Contact us today to learn more. Florida Bahama Shutters - Commercial Bahama ShuttersBahama shutters are quite en vogue of late, particularly at many of the community bank branches throughout Florida, and particularly in the Tampa Bay area. The commercial bahama shutters incorporated in most of these projects are primarily for ornamental and architectural benefit, rather than for storm protection. Shade and passive cooling sometimes becomes a benefit as well, though is generally not the primary goal. Bahama shutters vary by company, and of late the contest among bahama shutter companies is to produce the shutter with the least amount of materials, as prices have become quite competitive. West Coast Awnings offers competitive solutions for commercial bahama shutters, and we are not always the cheapest, but we do provide one of the highest quality bahama shutter systems available today. We are licensed and insured statewide, and currently follow a number of contractors around the state on their repeat bahama shutter projects. SunShades Florida - Commercial Aluminum SunshadesThese high-end structures are taking Florida by storm. In addition to appearances at retail centers, this product has become quite popular with office buildings, medical centers, distribution centers, and more. They are often seen along the top floor of commercial buildings, with the line of sunshades spanning the entire length of an elevation, if not the entire perimeter of the building. Window sunshades are often used in conjunction with the rooftop systems, or on their own. Commercial aluminum sunshades are almost always mill finish, though the most popular variants look quite similar, as silver appears to be the powder coated color of choice, and anodized finish looks quite similar as well. Due to the intense sun in Florida, sunshades are appreciated for their passive cooling effects in addition to their architectural character. The non-corrosive nature of aluminum makes it the ideal choice for those desiring a long product life. Sunshades are typically fabricated of aluminum outriggers, with aluminum louvers stretching between them. The louvers are generally angled in a manner to provide optimal passive sun protection. Many of the sunshade companies we run across in the market are outside the state of Florida, and they use third party contractors to handle their installations. This adds un-needed cost to all parties involved, which eventually end costing the customer. While some of these companies are often specified in plans, West Coast Awnings specializes in working with architects to ensure their architectural visions are achieved, and we can often help achieve this at a lower cost than some of the sunshade contractors specified in the plans. Give us a call today and let us help ensure your Florida sunshade project achieves everything you desire. Aluminum Trellis Florida - Tampa Aluminum Trellis ContractorFlorida landscape architects have known about the benefits of aluminum trellis structures for ages, though the broader market is starting to take notice. With the rapid cost increases seen in pressure treated wood trellis and pergola structures, aluminum trellis and pergola structures are becoming a viable option. Aluminum, since it is not an organic material like wood, remains maintenance free for the long haul, ensuring a lower cost of ownership, even if aluminum is slightly more expensive at the time of purchase.
Florida's Commercial Awning ContractorCanvas awnings make a lasting impression that will bring your customers back again and again. Eye catching colors and durable woven fabric keep that crisp, grand-opening look for years to come. Awnings set a business apart and make it stand out from the crowd. We provide the following custom designed awnings for commercial installations:
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