[VinSanto]

Any practical opinions on aluminum over cloth awnings for the house?

[MartinSE]

I grew up in S. Florida and we had aluminum awnings (in the 60's).

They work very well, and can be hurricane rated, meaning they protect your windows from hurricane damage by being lowered. That also allows you to leave your windows open a little during the hurricane while helps normalize the pressure in your house. When the hurricane passes by the pressure difference (inside and outside) and wind can result inn popping your roof off. I don't know if it is a problem on modern houses. But, the window protection is real.

The down side, as I recall from then, was the noise. They are noisy during heavy rain or hail storms. (We don't get many hail storms here, seems like there were more in the South.

[villagetinker]

Check with ARC I doubt metal awnings will be allowed in most of the CDDs. If they are allowed, the fabric may be better as they can typically be rolled up in case of high winds.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by VinSanto

Any practical opinions on aluminum over cloth awnings for the house?

Having no experience with either...

- Can cloth awnings be rolled up if a strong storm is coming, thus saving them from danger?

- Are cloth awnings easier and cheaper to replace?

[VinSanto]

I ended up calling white aluminum about the slotted (see vue?) aluminum awnings. They're 30 weeks out and they no longer offer the slotted aluminum awnings. I really liked that style.

[JoelJohnson]

We have a Sunsetter awning with the auto roll up in case of strong winds. Love it!

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Check with ARC I doubt metal awnings will be allowed in most of the CDDs. If they are allowed, the fabric may be better as they can typically be rolled up in case of high winds.

I put shutters just like this on my house in Tierra del Sol. No problem with the ARC. They are really heavy and strong. Installing them over vinyl siding necessitated removing the top vinyl trim in order to bolt 2x to the headers with long structural screws, then replacing the trim and bolting the shutters through the trim into the 2x with 5 inch structural screws every six inches. But that should be safer than a canvas awning in a hurricane. But $350? That’s for the smallest and lightest. My four cost $3500 total, and I installed them myself. Custom made in Miami. They look nice, keep out sun, allow me to see out a little.

[ldj1938]

We used to live in Lighthouse Point in south Florida. There were aluminum awnings on our home here. Provided shade and protection. When we bought this house five years ago it came with these huge pieces of plastic on all the different windows. No way was I going to deal with that. Had awnings installed on all the windows except on the lanai. It also gives us golf ball protection since we live on a golf course. The mistake I made was not asking for hurricane certified awnings that would give an insurance discount. We've been here for 22 years and the only "hurricane" we've had was a wind and heavy rain storm. Nothing like "Andrew" in '92. Tornadoes are a different story. I can send pictures or info if you like.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by VinSanto

Any practical opinions on aluminum over cloth awnings for the house?

-

These are made for hurricanes. You pull a pin on either side and they flop down to cover the window completely. I see these all over TV. I can't answer the usual ARC allowance question but given how many I've seen and they are protection for your house not just decoration there is a good chance the ARC allows.

Take a look at fabric awnings that have been up for just a couple years. The intense sun here fades them and a ultimately causes dry rot. No protection. Worries they will rip in high wind. Stain with dirt streaks. Stitching to worry about plus mildew. IMHO look like they belong in the circus or a restaurant entrance.

[mark100]

Originally Posted by VinSanto

Any practical opinions on aluminum over cloth awnings for the house?

I had a cloth. It lasted about 6 yrs. The sun eats them up. I changed it out to aluminum and found it to be better. It wears well. Lighter in weight. Can be washed off, etc.