Top Stairs and Railings of Tucson
Metal Awning Design and Installation In and Around Tucson
Tucson is known for intense heat and UV rays, but it can also have sudden monsoon storms that arrive without warning. Despite this unpredictability, your property, as well as customers or tenants, don’t have to suffer. With custom metal awnings, you can create a welcoming and comfortable environment for everyone stepping into your building. From shading outdoor seating areas in Marana to accentuating main entrances in Oro Valley, we will fabricate to your specs and deliver metal canopies that maintain strength and beauty for years to come.
We acknowledge that awnings and canopies are technically different structures with the same core purpose. In this article, we’ll use “canopy” loosely to refer to any shade structure that provides sun and weather protection.
Lifespan: Fabric Canopy vs Metalwork Canopy
Remember those canopies that brought color and style to some of the cafés and small storefronts in Tucson? Those are fabric awnings or shade structures made from woven materials like acrylic or PVC-coated fabrics. While they do carry a nostalgic charm and feel, the problem is that they quickly fade under Tucson’s intense sun. They can also sag or get torn apart during hailstorms, resulting in frequent maintenance and replacement. Typically, a fabric canopy can last 5-10 years (or shorter in harsh environments).
As businesses and architects sought longevity, metal canopies have become more popular. Advances in design techniques and fabrication made it possible to produce metal structures that are both stylish and engineered for extreme weather. Our team uses high-quality aluminum, steel, and other resilient materials to produce a custom commercial canopy that can last 20-40+ years. Plus we’re able to include modern, functional features like drainage options along with color and shape options that give the client plenty of control when trying to match or complement a building's features.
ROI: Cloth Awning vs Metal Canopy
ROI, or return on investment, is more than just a financial metric. This can also be about making smart decisions that reduce your property costs, protect your assets, and enhance customer experience. Metal canopies deliver ROI in a way that cloth canopies can’t match. While the upfront cost of a metal awning is higher due to sturdy materials, you can think of it as an investment that pays off over decades. For instance, a hotel installing a sleek metal canopy won’t need to replace it for over 20 years, while a cloth canopy in the same location may need replacement multiple times within the same period.
A well-designed metal awning can also contribute indirectly to ROI by improving the branding and attractiveness of a commercial property. For instance, an office building in Sahuarita with a custom metal canopy conveys professionalism and quality, making it easier to retain or attract new clients. Meanwhile, a retail store using a cloth canopy with logos that fade quickly can give a worn-out look, even though the business itself may be thriving. We understand that aesthetics also matter, so we offer powder-coated metal awnings in your chosen colors. We can even incorporate LED lighting for added visual flair during nighttime.
Benefits of Choosing Cantilever Awnings
In the world of awning fabrication, we can classify the shaded structures you can use under two major categories: cantilevered and post-supported awnings. A cantilevered awning is basically a metal canopy that keeps the space underneath it open. That means no front posts, columns, or ground supports. We can attach this type of awning to your building wall using engineered brackets or a welded frame, so you get a clean, floating look. However, some walls don’t have the ability to support bolted brackets, and this is when post-supported awnings become a better choice. Our team may recommend a post-supported design if your proposed structure for the building can’t safely carry the weight of a steel or aluminum awning.
Newer properties and commercial buildings in Pima County with reinforced concrete walls can safely hold a cantilevered structure. We recommend this style if you want to go for a modern and polished facade or safer walkways with no tripping hazards.
Even cantilever awnings come in different styles, and our team is experienced and equipped to produce these kinds of structures for you:
Flat Cantilever Awnings
These are the lightest and simplest shade structures, perfect as storefront awnings for small to medium-sized buildings. For example, a café in Green Valley wants to shade its front windows and reduce heat gain, but the sidewalk is narrow so posts would create congestion. We can fabricate a flat cantilevered awning to keep the entryway clean, cut indoor cooling costs, and provide shade to customers.
Sloped Cantilever Awnings
For doorways and windows that need better weather protection, we can build sloped awnings that resist extra wind pressure and have a downward slope that pushes rain off the front edge. A sloped design already helps water run off naturally, but we can take it a step further by adding custom drainage. Our drainage systems inside can be connected to a downspout or vertical pipe that carries water from the awning to the ground. Meaning, the rainwater is released in a controlled location, instead of splashing all over your customers or building tenants, or pooling near your entrance.
Curved Cantilever Awnings
These structures double as “statement pieces” that can add visual impact to any building. Restaurant canopies with an arched design, for instance, create a soft, welcoming, and more upscale environment. This design draws attention to the entrance, and the elegant shape is more distinctive than flat or sloped canopies.
Reliable Tucson Awnings in Every Style
With years of experience working with architects, business owners, and property managers in and around Tucson, we have demonstrated our skills to fabricate different metal canopy styles that match any building’s aesthetics.
We can make our awnings look modern or industrial using louvered designs. These feature slats (individual strips of metal) that filter light between the gaps. They also have a “vented” feel, letting air pass through freely. If you need awnings for outdoor spaces like a patio or an office rooftop, we can also build matching cable railings to enhance space functionality and aesthetics.
For a modern-minimalist look, we can fabricate standing-seam metal awnings or flat metal canopies. Both have low visual clutter and feel very simple and sleek. We can hide the fasteners and integrate drainage subtly (using internal downspouts) for a cleaner look. Using monochrome or neutral finishes, like black, white, or gray, will further reduce visual noise.
We Handle Everything from Design to Awning Installation
Working with us means your awnings will be built specifically just for your building. We take into account angles, entrances, exact dimensions, and the building’s architectural style so the final product won’t look generic. We don’t use pre-fab kits because we believe this can limit our creativity in producing various styles of canopies. That said, we handle everything from design to installation, so execution from blueprint to the finished product remains seamless. For a full-service metal canopy builder that you can trust, call our team at
[phone number] or fill out the online contact form today.
