With the sunny days of summer behind you, you will no doubt be counting the days until the next warm season arrives. You may miss the warmth summer can bring, but for many of us, the summer heat can also put a damper on warm weather festivities. This is where shade comes in. If your choice of shade is an awning, you’re probably wondering if yours is an all season awning or if it needs to be stored away for the winter.

 

 

While your awning provides protection in the sun and often from a light rain, the weather will sometimes force you to retract your favourite shade structure. Is closing your awning in the offseason good enough or will you need to remove it all together when the cold sets in the white stuff begin to fly? The short answer is no.

Protecting your awning in the winter doesn’t necessarily mean removing it all together. It is important to retract your awning when not in use during the winter. An unexpected snowfall can leave your fabric awning screaming from the weight if it is not retracted.

When retracting your all season awning, ensure that all fabric is tucked into the housing so that nothing is left to the elements. Invest in a good winter cover for your all-season awning. Keeping it covered and out of reach of snow, wind, and ice will help to prolong the life of your awning for many years to come.

There are a couple of instances when removing your awning for winter is your best choice. If your awning has seen better days and is in need of repair, the extra strain that the cold, or snow and ice can put on your awning should be avoided. A cracked housing, for instance, will let snow and ice into the mechanism.

If your fabric awning does not retract, it’s not an all season awning and will need to come down for the winter. With the nasty weather winter can bring, your awning will thank you if you take the time to tuck it away until the warmer months are once again upon us. If you are removing your awning, be sure to clean and fully dry it before putting it away. Do not store in plastic as this can trap moisture and encourage mold and mildew.

Your awning protects you from the heat and sun that the summer can bring. Take a little care in the winter with your all-season awning so that it can continue to provide that comfort for years to come. If you live in the Burlington, Hamilton, or Ancaster region of Ontario, Jans Awning Products can help!