Standing in the sun for a long time can make an outdoor visit or appointment less than pleasant, and as a building owner, you want to leave an excellent impression on your clients on each visit. Investing in architectural sunshades for buildings can help you protect your clients from standing in the heat and sun and improve their overall experience. Various metal architectural Sunshades, like aluminum canopies or steel awnings, protect your building from elements like sun, rain or wind and enhance curb appeal.
Architectural sunshades can be a worthwhile investment, and picking the suitable metal sunshade for your building can offer more benefits and rewards for you and your clients.
Aluminum vs. Steel for Sunshades
Whether you choose aluminum or steel sunshade, both benefit building owners. Sunshades provide shade from the sun, protection from rain and enhance your building’s aesthetic. You can choose between various steel and aluminum sunshades like canopies, awnings and trellis systems that match your building’s exterior design — choosing which metal sunshade can depend on your preference, budget, building design and region.
Aluminum sunshades are popular for their lightweight and low maintenance, and steel sunshades for their durability and weather resistance. It’s essential to compare each sunshade’s weight, to see how steel and aluminum sunshades can suit your building structure and region.
Steel vs. Aluminum Canopies
Considering the pros and cons of steel and aluminum canopies can help you decide if a steel or aluminum canopy is the best for your office building design and structure.
Pros and Cons of Aluminum Canopies
Some pros of aluminum canopies include:
- Easy to install: Aluminum canopy structures are often lightweight, making them easier to install and can require less labor and time.
- Can be less maintenance: It may be quicker and easier to take down and replace aluminum canopies for routine cleaning, repairs and storage, saving you time and energy.
- Can be affordable: An aluminum canopy may be much more affordable than other metal canopy types as it is lightweight. You can also save money on maintenance and installation costs to invest in other building designs and projects. An aluminum canopy can be cost-effective if you or your client is trying to stick to a budget and looking for a sound investment.
- Internal drainage systems: If you live in a region prone to wet weather, an aluminum canopy can save a lot of money on maintenance. Aluminum canopies have internal drainage or built-in gutter systems, so downspouts and water drains prevent water from flowing into the canopy entrance, which can cause wear over time.
- Can be corrosion resistant: While various metals are prone to erosion from rain and wind, aluminum can withstand multiple elements and maintain its quality and shine for a long time. Aluminum canopies are a perfect solution and choice if you want a building sunshade resistant to rust or corrosion.
Some cons of aluminum canopies include:
- Can be less durable: While aluminum canopies can last a long time, they may be less durable than other metal types, like steel, and you might have to replace them in a few years, depending on the level of wear they endure and the maintenance they receive.
- Can be less sturdy: Aluminum canopy may break easier or damage easier in severe weather conditions like hurricanes and tornadoes.
Pros and Cons of Steel Canopies
Some pros of steel canopies include:
- Solid structures: Steel canopies are reliable and durable, perfect for large structures, especially if you want a canopy structure on your building that will last for many years.
- Can be weather resistant: The rigidness of steel canopies can withstand extreme weather conditions like hurricanes and is an excellent option to safeguard your building structures from weather damage.
- Can be aesthetically pleasing: Steel canopies offer modern and classic finishes to match various new or old building structures. Plus, a sleek steel canopy can enhance a build’s exterior appearance, making it look sophisticated and timeless.
Some cons of steel canopies include:
- Can be more expensive: Steel canopies can be pricer than other metals like aluminum due to their heavy weight. You will likely also spend more on installation and routine maintenance, which can become more costly over time.
- Can be challenging to install: Installing a steel canopy can require more time and energy as it is a heavier structure. You may need special equipment that can add to installation time, especially if you are on a deadline.
- Can be challenging to maintain: Steel canopies can be prone to water damage like rust requiring more maintenance. Due to its heavy weight, taking a steel canopy down for repairs or storage may take more work.
Steel vs. Aluminum Awnings
Awnings are a popular sunshade for commercial and residential properties. They come in various metals like aluminum and steel and can enhance your building’s appearance and extend your outdoor space. While metal and aluminum awnings are durable, their designs suit various building structures and weather conditions differently. Weighing the pros and cons of each can help you decide which is better suited for your building.
Pros and Cons of Aluminum Awning
Some pros of aluminum awnings include:
- Can be more cost-effective: Aluminum awnings can offer a high-quality metal structure at more affordable prices than steel awnings and can be perfect if you want a budget-friendly and quality awning.
- Can enhance building appearance: Whether you want an aluminum awning for a classic or modern building design, there are multiple styles and designs to suit various building structures. You can also adapt an aluminum awning to fit a building design with different aluminum finishes.
- Can be easier to install: Aluminum awning structures are lightweight, requiring less labor and making them easier to install. They are also versatile, and you can attach various awning designs to building structures and move or take them down quickly.
Some cons of aluminum awnings include:
- Can require regular maintenance: You may have to waterproof and treat aluminum awnings regularly, as they can be prone to rust from rain and other weather or environmental conditions.
- Can be less durable in severe weather: Aluminum awnings can corrode or break and damage easier than steel awnings in inclement weather or natural disasters like hurricanes.
Pros and Cons of Steel Awnings
Some pros and cons of steel awnings include:
- Can be high-quality: Steel awnings can be rigid and robust, offering a quality metal awning that lasts many years.
- Can withstand the elements: The rigidness of steel awning structures can endure strong winds and hurricanes better than aluminum awnings.
- Can enhance building aesthetics: Steel awnings come with sleek natural finishes that enhance your building’s aesthetic and offer a classic feel.
Some cons of steel awnings include:
- Can be more costly: The cost of steel metal, plus installation fees, can make a steel awning quite pricey and less cost-effective if you are on a budget.
- Can be challenging to install: Steel awnings can weigh more and be less versatile than aluminum ones requiring more time and energy.
Sharchs Corporation Offers High-Quality Aluminum Architectural Sunshades
Aluminum architectural sunshades are an excellent investment for extending your building’s outdoor space and providing shade. We provide and install high-quality, affordable aluminum sunshades to fit various business structure designs. We also prioritize excellent customer service and will ensure that your aluminum sunshade installation is convenient and affordable.
Let us help you improve your building’s curb appeal and protect your building from heat and sun with our range of aluminum architectural sunshades. Contact Sharchs Corporation for quality and affordable aluminum sunshades today!