As is evident from the name, walkway covers are covering created out of fabric or metal to cover a walking area or path. They are designed to provide shading and protection from rain, hail, or snow to the people waiting for a service or pedestrians. Often sporting lightweight aluminum or polycarbonate and glass, the walkways also grab instant attention, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the property. ​ True, an elaborate walkway is not usually installed in a residential area, but the following institutions, public spaces, and commercial properties are pleased to show off an attractive covered walkway that is helpful to the users and often remarked upon favorably. The most popular applications of such covers that are installed over walkways at various locations include the following:

· Public & Educational Facilities- These are usually commissioned by schools, colleges, and universities, as well as hospitals, bus stations, and airports, to connect different paths that lead to different sections or buildings of the same facility.

· Commercial & Retail- Various business entities find it beneficial to protect their customers by choosing to install an eye-appealing and advantageous cover over the walkway at hotel entrances, outdoor dining areas, shopping centers, and outdoor retail stores. · Industrial & Offshore- The covers may be placed over gratings, stairs, and concrete spaces within factories, refineries, and marine environments. This enables the workers and visitors to avoid slips and falls.

The covered walkways remain popular despite the additional cost of installation for the property owner. They are used in multiple settings and for diverse reasons such as: -

· Shielding From Elements- Students or the public who have to go to another building within a university or hospital can safely move along the walkway without being sunburned or wet due to rain or snow. Injuries caused by hail are also prevented when people take shelter in a walkway that is covered.

· Optimization of Temperature- The harmful UV Rays are blocked by the cover on the walkway, as is the snow or rain. The local temperature is thus not too high or too low, depending on the weather conditions. Instead, the walkway users enjoy an optimal temperature that ensures comfort and convenience.

· Connecting Feature- Companies and institutions with multiple buildings find the prospect of covering the walkways beneficial. This helps the users navigate the paths and walk through areas with ease without having to brave the adverse weather conditions. This is ideal for students, patients accessing different departments within the hospital, and corporate workers who find it simpler to move between buildings as required. · Pick Up & Drop Points- These walkways with a sturdy cover protect people waiting for the bus or cars from outside elements. Such walkways are also found over entryways to public buildings where the users need to queue up.

Commercial establishments and facilities are spread out and encompass a number of buildings. The best way to unite the different parts of a facility or institution together is to install a canopy or awning in bright colors and fashioned out of the modern materials that are known for their durability, cost effectiveness and aesthetics. Many retail shops have found that installing a store canopy can help in increasing not only the brand awareness but also the profitability.

A commercial building is usually created with the required structure and any extensions that may be essential from time to time also happen to be permanent. However, there are multiple companies that have found retractable or temporary outdoor awnings to be extremely beneficial. Today’s awnings are highly acclaimed for their quality of blending in completely. People seldom realize that the extruding part or a walkway is not made out of concrete and is, in fact, a canopy.

Advantages of using a store awning

Advertising- There is no need for investing in additional signage when one has a canopy in the frontage. Integration of signage in the form texts and graphics gives it a seamless appearance without making it look artificial. This helps the business owner to get the message across easily. An innovative signage created with bright colors and witty messages is sure to grab eyeballs thereby increasing the flow of customers to the store. A sophisticated look can be created perfectly today as well. A signage over the entrance created by clever use of a canopy is not limited to neighborhood shops only therefore. Even big shopping malls and supermarkets are making use of awnings to advertise their presence today.

Aesthetics- The creative designers have revolutionized the concept of awnings at present. The quality canopies come in a variety of shapes and colors today without limiting the entry of light. The structure happens to be intensely modern and fashioned out of lightweight materials such as aluminum and other metallic alloys as well as glass. Surprisingly these come at affordable rates too. There is absolutely no necessity of settling for a commonplace awning now. Instead, the top manufacturers and dealers offer customized solutions to suit their clients’ needs. The structures can be cut, welded and blended to create a number of shapes and size in accordance with the wishes of the customer. The awnings thus fulfill three different requirements at one go i.e. providing shade, creating brand identity & improving the aesthetic appeal of the business enterprise.  

Running a store in a residential neighborhood or in a highly commercial location comes with specific problems of its own. There are definitely numerous ways to solve the issues but the relentless beating down of rain or being burnt by the sun during the height of summer is enough to affect the structure of a building adversely while inconveniencing the customers visiting the store.

No worries though! Installing a store canopy can eliminate such problems quickly today. The design of the awning has undergone considerable change over the years with the humble red and white canvas canopy giving way to smart, prefabricated store awnings that can turn a plain retail shop into a pleasing commercial outlet without breaking one’s budget.

The reasons to consider adding an awning to a building are varied and numerous and most business owners are astute enough to consider its advantages. The investment is definitely not too high either while the ROI makes it an immensely attractive proposition.

Top Reasons for installing a canopy

Aesthetic Appeal- The first impression is always the last impression for a commercial establishment regardless of its nature. An attractive awning in front of a small store is the best way to attract attention and encourage visitors to step in. A store is bound to be talked about regardless of its location, whether in a remote area or thick in the middle of a commercial district. A customized canopy created by artful use of the company’s color schemes and logo also serves as an advertisement thereby increasing the footfalls and brand recognition.

Comfort- Installing an awning to expand the front of the store and creating a small shaded area in the process can help to draw more visitors too. The store front provides a shade for people when the temperature is high during the summer and offers protection from rain, sleet and snow during inclement weather. People taking shelter are prompted to enter the store and often end up making purchases thus enhancing the profits.

Energy Savings- It is not mandatory to install an awning in front of the store always. They can provide excellent protection for the windows as well. The modern day awnings help to block the deadly UV rays of the sun and prevent the walls from sun damage. This also enables the store owner to keep cool even at the height of summer and use the HVAC system sparingly. The energy costs are therefore cut down substantially causing the business owner to rejoice on receiving much reduced utility bills.

Adding a bit of extra space to a retail store or creating a covered shade for sheltering people when the weather turns nasty is definitely helpful! Sure, the aforementioned purposes are diverse but the solution is pretty straightforward. A shop keeper or a commercial facility only has to consider installing an awning to suit their purposes however varied they may be.

Extending the window by going for a classic awning or creating an attractive front by means of a store canopy can work wonders for the business owner in more ways than one. While an awning right at the store front can provide shelter to the pedestrians from sun, hail, and rain, the individuals thus protected would not be averse to looking inside the store and picking up articles of use. The shop owner thus enjoys a round of brisk business thanks to the cleverly installed canopy.

‘Installing a glass canopy system seems to be wastage of money.’ This is a sentiment that most residents agree upon as they are concerned about the brittleness of the material and the amount of work involved in maintaining it. However, glass does look elegant and having a glass door installed is sure to improve the aesthetics considerably. Glass windows are definitely in but canopies made out of this hard and waterproof material is not unheard of either.

How to use glass canopies?

Entry – Adding a glass awning to an entranceway has many advantages besides being an extra form of security. The transparent awning provides a beautiful view thereby enhancing the curb appeal of the home. The actual view depends on the type of frame used though with metal and wooden frames being the most preferred. The awning can also be suspended by means of a cable thereby achieving a spectacular look.

Outside Dining – People usually tend to gather outside when the weather is dry with no chill in the air. Installation of a glass canopy to form a covered barbecue area is a great way to entertain outdoors especially when the home is too small to accommodate all the guests. The barbecue room provides ample space to shelter the guests from the elements while offering an unhindered view of the garden.

Pool – A glass awning is just perfect for protecting a small pool behind one’s home. Sure, a fence can keep the trespassers out but a canopy made of glass will allow the light to get in while the stray leaves, animals and pests can be kept at bay. The water of the pool will be of an optimum temperature allowing the home owner to swim even when the temperature dips appreciably.

Awnings and canopies can be used to provide shade to outdoor areas and to make these areas look luxurious. This can also help the family members to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Awnings can offer protection from certain elements and create more functional outdoor space for the family. Awnings are a great solution for relishing the outdoors and very cost effective to install. These canopies and awnings are available in a variety of styles and looks to meet the demand of the customers. Following are some of the benefits that outdoor awnings offer:

Awnings can be used to design the space of the home as per the desire of the individuals. With the awnings in place one does not need to worry about getting tanned from exposure to sun or wet from rainfall. Instead one can enjoy the backyard area with family and friends all through the day and night.

A canopy or awning will give the benefit of extending the living space into the garden, essentially giving an extra room. This can give the delusion of more space in the home, and enhance the curb appeal as well.

Awnings can help in saving utility bills provided they are installed properly. For instance, a rightly chosen awning can prevent the home from absorbing the harmful UV rays of the sun and the heat and this in turn will keep the home cool as one may not need to turn on the air conditioner. This will help in saving utility bills and keep the home temperature more comfortable.

Those who want to enjoy the outdoor spaces in a light drizzle can certainly do it with the help of an awning. The awnings allow the rain water to roll off from the surface and they are highly resistant to mildew and water stains.

Whether one is planning to use an awning to create a cool place to relax, a shaded outdoor dining area, or a secured place for the children to play on sunny days, it can decrease the temperature in the shaded area to a great extent and this can in turn lower the risk of sunburn and heat stroke.

An awning can add value to the home and increase its value. The design of an awning is classy and very much in demand. This is a modest home face-lift that can help shorten the homes listing time and raise the asking price.

Apart from giving protection to the outdoor space from weather, the awnings can also help to prolong the sturdiness of the outdoor furniture by inhibiting exposure to direct sun, rainfall and snow. They can also be used to prevent the UV rays from damaging the indoor furniture or flooring.