Spanish-style architecture is beautifully complemented by canvas awnings over the windows and porch of this fine home on Davis Island, Florida.   Aluminum Awnings Retractable Awnings Drop Curtains

West Coast Awnings - Shading Tampa Bay Since 1957!

Nothing will lend a distinctive look to your home quicker than canvas awnings. Awnings can complement any door, any window. And they'll keep you cool and dry, too!

We provide the following custom designed awnings for residential installations:

• Canvas Awnings
• Retractable Awnings
• Bahama Shutters
• Hurricane Protection
• Drop Curtains
• Patio & Beach Umbrellas

Awnings Save Home Energy

Anyone sitting under a canopy on a hot Florida afternoon can appreciate the cooling benefits of shade, but you may not be aware of just how effective awnings are as a low-tech, low-cost way to cut summer cooling bills. According to the California Energy Commission shading your home with exterior awnings can reduce the temperature indoors by as much as 20^o Fahrenheit on a hot day!
About 40 percent of the unwanted heat that builds up in your house comes in through windows. Although both exterior and interior shades can control this heat gain, exterior shades -- items such as awnings -- are more far effective, since they block sunlight before it enters the windows.

Awnings rate high because they block direct sunlight. Canvas awnings are attached above the window and extend outward and down. Properly installed awnings can reduce heat gain in your home up to 65 percent on southern windows and as much as 77 percent on eastern and western windows.

A light-colored awning does double duty by also reflecting sunlight. Maintaining a gap between the top of the awning and the side of your house helps to vent any accumulated heat from under a solid surface awning.

Aesthetically, an awning mounted at an angle of 45 degrees is pleasing to the eye. Make sure the awning does not project into the path of foot traffic unless it is at least six feet eight inches from the ground.

The amount of drop you need -- how far down the window an awning should come -- depends on where the window is located. On the east or west side of the house, the awning optimally needs a drop that covers 65 percent to 75 percent of the window. Because of the higher angle of the sun, an awning on the south side needs to cover only 45 percent to 60 percent of the window to produce the same amount of shade.

Article Sources:

Window Design Strategies to Conserve Energy
Publication Number 104 in the Nationa Bureau of Standards "Building Science Series" (June 1977)
Cooling Your Home Naturally
The Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy Clearinghouse (EREC)
P.O. Box 3048
Merrifield, VA 22116
800-363-3732

Home Energy Manual
California Energy Commission
1516 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
800-772-3300 (toll free in California)
916-654-5106

Awning Costs vs. Awning Prices

Awning prices can be misleading. While the price of our awnings is generally 20%-30% higher than our competition, your awning cost of ownership is actually lower with West Coast Awnings. Why? Our awnings use more expensive ingredients, which leads to longer awning life. Our custom fabricated aluminum frames are maintenance free. Our awning fabrics carry some of the best warranties in the awning industry.

Awning Prices

We have solutions for most budgets, and we'll gladly come to out to give you a free estimate. Awning and canopy budgets in exclusive residential neighborhoods often range significantly higher than those mentioned above, though larger and more expensive homes typically desire more elaborate designs, and typically more awnings.

Window Awnings

Awnings over windows are often referred to as window treatments or window coverings. Rest assured, we are not to be confused with your local Hunter Douglas dealer. While we like to think of our awnings as more than mere window treatments, if you think awnings are window treatments we can still help you. In fact we will get you set up with the best window treatments available, AWNINGS!

Patio Awnings or Awning Patios

How come we never hear about “Awning Patios”? After all, what good would a patio be without something to protect you from the elements? In any event, and if you want an awning over your patio, we can help. Just please don’t call it a “Patio Awning.”

	Aluminum Awnings -Protect you from the sun's damaging UV rays -Provide adequate shading to lower your energy cost (Click Image to View Larger Photo)
	Retractable Awnings -Guaranteed to keep you and your guests cool (Click Image to View Larger Photo)
	Drop Curtains -Saves you money on cooling cost during the summer heat -Provides you with privacy and creates new living space (Click Image to View Larger Photo)