August 2011 Newsletter

New Lines of Patio Couture: Patio cover product highlight, luscious fabric ideas, and landscaping tips

"Finding out where you belong"

Product Highlight: Retractable Patio Covers

Deck awnings give you two things: a sense of space and real, elemental protection. Both of those things are really crucial for people to enjoy the outdoors – instead of staying inside. That's true for home owners, hotels, cafes and bistros, open-air malls, restaurants, parks, casinos, clubs, senior housing, shopping centers and – even cruise ships on the high seas.

When you combine space and comfort, you create a sense of well-being. You create a space that people want to use.

Deck and patio awnings allow you to create a sense of space through...
1. Color
2. Shade

Shadows and diffused light provide an intuitive sense of movement by defining areas. People know what the expected traffic flow is based on light. Shadows offer a place to linger, while bright spaces emphasize movement. Basically, deck awnings and other patio cover structures provide the light/dark contrast that is necessary for people to understand that movement.

Of course, other visual cues can outline space. Like having an actual physical structure that designates sitting and walking areas.

Which leads us to our product highlight for this month: our new line of retractable patio covers. All of our patio systems are cantilevered and self-supporting, meaning no support posts. Our new types of patio awnings introduce a permanent frame, much like a pergola, with retractable fabric and even top louvers for light and glare control.

The most popular style is the Salerno http://www.retractableawnings.com/patio-cover-awnings/salerno.html and it really typifies the best aspect of patio covers:
1. Lightweight aluminum frame and non-construction installation
2. Optional sliding doors and window panels for full enclosure
3. Support for drop screens and side curtains on the frame
4. Attached or fully free-standing frames

And we have over a dozen frame styles, perfect for any architectural or landscape style.

A patio cover can be nearly as airy and open as a lateral arm awning or cozy as a room. Either way, the outline of the frame signals that this is an area for people to pause comfortably.

A patio cover is irreplaceable in large spaces, like decks around a clubhouse, sidewalk cafes, or even backyards. In wide hardspaces, people can lose a sense of scope, which means they lose the sense of purpose for a place. Along with providing direct comfort, porch awnings and deck covers provide a sense of space – so when people step outside, they know where they belong.

Eric M. Scop
VP Sales & Marketing
RetractableAwnings.com

Lux Fabrics and New Ideas

The first thing that came out was a fabric that changes color.
The Industrial Fabrics Foundation (IFF) has just started review on the 2011 Innovation Awards – an international competition to get the best, real-life ideas on fabrics and processes. It's actually an off-the-wall competition. The categories are open to anything new, with only two real rules: whatever you're doing must be in production and it must be related to fabric.
The first IFF Innovation winner http://specialtyfabricsreview.com/articles/
1110_c1_innovation_winner.html from 2010, was a raincoat that changes color when it gets wet. The slick, light-bright colors of Chameleon Inc.'s rain coats change within seconds. A light rain becomes a psychedelic experience.
Chameleon's amazing fabric isn't ready for retractable awnings right now – but the IFF Innovation Awards are pulling in new fabric ideas from all kinds of industries. The ideas are out there, and as they become more mainstream, they will be available for rugged outdoor uses. Like retractable awnings.
The IFF entry deadline passed this July, and the winners will be announced in late October. We are watching the winners' circle to see what innovations are coming that we can pull into tomorrow's retractable awnings, drop screens or patio awnings.

The Urban Garden, Part 2:

Shade Plants, Color, and Patio Design
One myth of shade gardens is that they're, well, drab. Small plants, muted colors – an afterthought on the patio. On the flip side, punishing afternoon rays on apartment, office, or restaurant patios can kill container gardens with unrelenting rays.

Shade Plants, Color, and Patio DesignOne myth of shade gardens is that they're, well, drab. Small plants, muted colors – an afterthought on the patio. On the flip side, punishing afternoon rays on apartment, office, or restaurant patios can kill container gardens with unrelenting rays.

Retractable awnings give you control over sun and shade. With deck awnings, a shade garden is really a "sun when you need it" garden.

We have four quick tips for designing an effective shade garden on your patio or balcony:
1. Create a texture palette. There are fat-leafed hostas, daintily fringed ferns, tight-knotted alyssum. A dynamic visual impact is about more than showy color. Look for different leaf sizes. Also, don't be afraid to play with the container, with trailing plants like alyssum and sweet potato vines or tall plants like daisies.
2. Play with color. Texture is primary, but colors are still an option! Shade-loving plants like hostas and ivy have all sorts of varieties, with different leaf colors ranging from deep purple to chartreuse. Even geraniums have variegated leaves, for a nice combination of leaf-and-petal colors. Another pot-friendly, shade-friendly option is knockout roses. The short, shrub roses bloom brilliantly in partial shade as well as sun.
3. Use flowering herbs. This is a great option for cafes, restaurants, or apartment dwellers with a lust for taste. All sorts of herbs have flowers – lavender, chamomile, garlic, even basil, oregano, and thyme. Fragrant herbs like chives, lemongrass, and mint can be used as table decorations.
4. Know your climate. Plants can survive a lot of direct sunlight in temperate climates like the Northeast and Northwest. In southern states, direct afternoon light can kill even full sun plants. Retractable awnings offer control over sun exposure, blocking the worst of afternoon light but allowing hours of sunlight in morning and evening.

Company Bio

RetractableAwnings.com an A+ Better Business Bureau member for 19 years has been assembling and distributing the highest-quality, best-designed European sun, wind, rain, bug and snow protection systems for 25 years. This is our passion – finding unique and lovely solutions to make the outdoors more comfortable and more useful. From private homes to major architectural and landscape design projects, we have the expertise to help. Just ask: 1-866-438-2964 or 305-628-2424.

Retractableawnings.com
Corporate offices and fabrication
5160 NW 165 Street
Miami Gardens, Florida, 33014-6303

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