While ‘curb appeal’ is a term only typically used by real estate agents or property developers, the concept is one that resonates with many home owners. Being proud of your home’s aesthetic – and the way it looks to passers-by – can be a key priority for many people.

Despite this, when choosing window coverings, it’s easy for exterior windows to be forgotten entirely – with awnings often added as an after-thought, or in a second design ‘phase’.

In reality, choosing stylish and modern awnings for your exterior windows can give your home’s aesthetic a significant boost. Here’s why it’s important to prioritise the outside of your home from the outset:

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUN PROTECTION

Your choice of window coverings can play a key role in keeping your home more energy efficient year round. This is particularly the case in summer, where direct sunlight flows into the inside of your home – trapped by the windows as radiant heat.

By shielding your windows with an outdoor awning you can reduce your overall cooling energy costs, and make your interiors more comfortable and temperate year round.

The standard Luxaflex® Evo Awning system is easy to use, and owners can have the ability to link up to three side-by-side awnings that can be controlled from one location – through the use of either manual crank operation or motorised options such as Merger® Solar Motors.

Merger Solar Motors combine cutting-edge patented power management electronics with an integrated battery receiver unit. The awning is powered by a solar battery, and as little as 2-3 hours of direct sunlight is required for several days’ operation.

SLEEK, SOPHISTICATED LOOK

Today, there are seemingly endless options to choose from with regards to exterior blinds and awnings.

Our awnings have the ability to fit spaces of all shapes and sizes and are suitable for a wide range of exterior settings, from terraces and patios to large entertaining areas. This includes folding arm, straight drop and pivot arm style systems

DESIGNED FOR AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS

The Luxaflex® Contemporary Series of Awnings is a modern collection of Folding Arm, Straight Drop and Pivot Arm style awning systems. Designed for the Australian home and modern living, they provide function and fashion for the exterior of your home.

The Luxaflex® Timeless Collection of Awnings feature styles that are classically elegant for a more traditional home.

With summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to think about adding an awning to your home’s exterior.

Outdoor awnings can be a great way to give outdoor spaces like patios, decks or terraces a new lease of life – offering all-important protection from the sun, wind and rain. They can also add an element of sophistication and style. 

 If you’re contemplating an awning for your home, here are some key things to consider:  

DO YOU ALREADY HAVE OUTDOOR WINDOW COVERINGS?

When choosing the style and layout of your awning, it’s important to ensure it complements the look of any external window coverings you already have – as well as the general colour, look and style of your home. Think carefully about how all of your coverings will work together. You may even wish to consider replacing existing coverings to create a new look overall.

HOW OFTEN DO YOU USE YOUR ENTERTAINING SPACE?

Not all outdoor spaces need covering all of the time. You may, for instance, want an awning that can simply be used during the middle of the day when the sun is at its brightest. If you’re looking for this level of flexibility, our Luxaflex®Folding Arm Awnings  are a great option. 

These awnings retract – or can be extended – quickly and easily, to instantly transform an outdoor area. Some of our folding awning models even have the option of added heating and lighting, so you can entertain year-round, day or night. If you’re looking for an all-weather solution, you can also opt for integrated rain hoods, or a variable valance which you can adjust to suit the sun’s position. There’s also the option of adding a wind protection system, which can significantly increase your awning’s wind resistance.

HOW DURABLE DOES YOUR AWNING NEED TO BE?

We also offer a range of options depending on the level of durability which you will require. You may, for instance, live in an area that’s frequently subject to strong ocean winds, or which lacks any natural shade.  

If you’re looking for toughness and durability, Luxaflex® Metal Louvre Awnings are highly effective in providing privacy, light control and airflow for fairly exposed balconies or outdoor areas.  

The Luxaflex’® System 2000 Awning is another option that’s often chosen for its durability. This awning won a prestigious Australian Design Award for its robust materials, ergonomic function, and the fact it is engineered to last in tough Australian conditions.  

HOW MANY STOREYS DOES YOUR HOME HAVE?

If your home is set over multiple storeys – and you want to add various awnings – you’ll also need to think about which options are available for the different levels of your home. 

Luxaflex® System 2000 Awnings are also a great choice for multi-storey buildings as the range includes different modes of operation, with the same visual look and feel. The System 2000 Pivot Arm Awning can be operated from inside the house by gear, tape or rope, or can be motorised. This makes it ideal for second- or third-storey windows that can’t be reached from the ground level. By contrast, the System 2000 Lock Arm Awning is suitable for ground-floor windows as it allows a basic adjustment by hand or a pull stick. 

WOULD A STRAIGHT-DROP AWNING WORK FOR YOUR SPACE?

In recent years, the Luxaflex® Straight Drop Awning has become a very popular inclusion in many new homes. Unlike traditional awnings which ‘float’ horizontally above a space, a straight-drop awning runs vertically – providing a shaded ‘wall’ for your outdoor spaces. This can be a great option for areas where space is at a premium. 

The Australian-designed Luxaflex® Evo Awning series is a very popular and striking straight-drop option, and represents the latest in design, styling and functionality. This range includes six models and comes in a selection of beautiful fabrics to shade your home – all featuring famous high quality Luxaflex materials and smooth operating systems.

Within this range, there’s also the option of the Evo MagnaTrack Awning – a particularly sophisticated model which uses the power of rare earth Neodymium Magnets within the side channels to hold the fabric in place. This awning provides a smooth flat finish with unparalleled strength. The Luxaflex Evo MagnaTrack Awning with a 3.5m opening span has been independently tested to withstand wind pressures up to 185kph^ by James Cook University’s Cyclone Testing Station, making it Australia’s strongest, wind tested, straight drop awning.

CAN YOUR AWNING BE MORE OF A PERMANENT FIXTURE?

If you’re looking for an awning that can stay as a permanent fixture – for instance, above a front or back door, we also have some ideal Luxaflex solutions.

Luxaflex® Fixed Metal Awnings are made from aluminium and provide perfect shading for patios, verandahs, external windows and doors. Luxaflex® Canopy Awnings can be used to add some traditional charm. These classic-style awnings also come in a range of styles and colours. 

^ Report No. TS1166 of James Cook University Cyclone Testing Station, College of Science and Engineering dated 12 March 2020.

Despite the Luxaflex Evo MagnaTrack Awning’s performance in high wind loads, it is recommended that all awnings be retracted during wet or high wind conditions. 

If your home needs a facelift after a long, wet winter, window coverings can be a great place to start. While every home is unique, here are a few fresh options you may want to consider:

GIVE LIFE TO OUTDOOR SPACES WITH AN AWNING

As the weather starts to warm up and the days get longer, the idea of using outdoor spaces becomes more enticing. However, without sufficient protection from the elements, outdoor spaces can often remain under-utilised.

We offer a wide range of outdoor awnings to cover terraces, patios, verandas or decks. Luxaflex® Folding Arm Awnings are always a very popular option as they offer the ultimate in flexibility and control – and can be retracted when not in use.

If space is at a premium, or you’re looking for something a little different, you may want to consider a Luxaflex® Straight Drop Awning. Unlike traditional awnings which ‘float’ horizontally above a space, a straight-drop awning runs vertically – providing a shaded ‘wall’ for your outdoor spaces.

LET AIR FLOW THROUGH YOUR HOME WITH SHUTTERS

As the weather starts to warm up and the days get longer, the idea of using outdoor spaces becomes more enticing. However, without sufficient protection from the elements, outdoor spaces can often remain under-utilised.

We offer a wide range of outdoor awnings to cover terraces, patios, verandas or decks. Luxaflex® Folding Arm Awnings are always a very popular option as they offer the ultimate in flexibility and control – and can be retracted when not in use.

If space is at a premium, or you’re looking for something a little different, you may want to consider a Luxaflex® Straight Drop Awning. Unlike traditional awnings which ‘float’ horizontally above a space, a straight-drop awning runs vertically – providing a shaded ‘wall’ for your outdoor spaces.

LAYER YOUR LIVING SPACES FOR ADDED STYLE

A quick and easy way to freshen up your home’s interiors is with some smart and stylish layering. By adding a sheer curtain on top of blinds, for instance, you can instantly add a sense of luxury and sophistication.

“Layering window coverings with a soft sheer curtain adds a beautiful softness, movement and texture to the room,” says Neale Whitaker, Luxaflex Brand Ambassador.

Neale recommends starting with Luxaflex® Pirouette® Shadings or Luxaflex® Duette® Shades as the ‘base layer’, and then adding Luxaflex® Curtains to:

Make a decorative statement
Add depth, dimension or drama
Frame the window to create an illusion of height
Add softness and warmth to the space.

FIND SMART, NEW WAYS TO LOWER YOUR COOLING COSTS

As Australian summers get increasingly hotter and more humid, many people are seeking smart, new ways to keep their energy costs under control. Window coverings play a very important role in this.

While all of Luxaflex’s window coverings have been designed with energy efficiency and thermal control in mind, our Luxaflex® Duette® Shades are leading the way. These highly innovative shades have a unique honeycomb ‘cell’ structure that traps air and acts as an insulation barrier for windows

The Luxaflex® Duette® Architella® range features a unique honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb cell construction which creates four fabric layers and three insulating pockets of air. These smart air pockets can reduce a home’s heating costs by up to 43%1.

If you want to know more about how you can use Luxaflex window coverings to keep your home cool this summer, be sure to speak with a Luxaflex consultant.

MAKE THE MOST OF NATURAL LIGHT

There’s nothing like natural light to make your home feel bright, fresh and breezy. Light-filled interiors also have several benefits for our wellbeing. According to the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, sunlight can boost the brain’s release of serotonin, associated with boosting mood and helping us feel calm and focused, as well as help prevent and treat a range of diseases and conditions. It’s also vital in regulating our circadian rhythm – the body’s internal clock that signals when to be alert and when to rest.

Updating your window coverings can play a central role in making the most of natural light in your home. This could involve:

Replacing fixed blinds or shutters with an easily adjustable option – such as the Luxaflex® Duette® Shades which have a smart ‘top-down-bottom-up’ feature.
Updating heavy, ‘block-out’ style shutters or drapes with lighter, more transparent options – such as Luxaflex® Luminette® Privacy Sheers or Luxaflex® Silhouette® Shadings.
Adding automated control with ultra-quiet PowerView® Motorisation , which allows you to lift your shades or pull back your curtains with a remote control or even your smartphone at the touch of a button.