Official Sunbrella Blog » Awning

Inspiring Hues…The Power of Orange

Marcia Blake — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:18:13 +0000

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we’ve no place to go, let it snow! let it snow! let it snow! Let’s recharge our batteries and move forward toward spring with the latest lively reddish orange, Pantone Tangerine Tango color of the year for 2012. “Sophisticated but at Continue reading →

Inspiring Hues…Autumn Colors

Marcia Blake — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:12:01 +0000

Our well-established experiences, associations, and lifestyle interactions influence how we respond to color. Ordinarily, nearly all of us will react in an identical manner to the same colors, but certain memories can result in a love, or strong dislike, of a particular color. This time of the year is one that brings back some very Continue reading →

IFAI Expo 2011

Mollie — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:59:32 +0000

This past week the Sunbrella team has been in Baltimore for the IFAI Expo Americas. This trade show is the largest event in the Americas dedicated to specialty textiles. Here’s a look at a few of the highlights from the Sunbrella booth. Sunbrella Clarity debuted this week at IFAI. Clarity is a fabric intended for hard-to-clean awning Continue reading →

What Should I Do With My Windows?

Sue R — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:13:29 +0000

We often have a love/hate relationship with our windows. What type should we install? How should we dress them? How can we make them more energy efficient with attachments? Why do I have to wash them so often? Well maybe the last question’s answer is obvious, the others are often a homeowner’s dilemma as they Continue reading →

Getting What You Pay For With Sunbrella

Sue R — Thu, 26 May 2011 21:07:50 +0000

Let’s face it, there are lots of fabrics out there that claim to withstand the outdoor elements. They label themselves as an “outdoor fabric” and I suppose technically, any fabric can be an outdoor fabric if you put it outside. But will it withstand the rigors of sun, wind, rain and the other harsh elements Continue reading →

Inspiring Hues…Made In The Shade

Marcia Blake — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:55:15 +0000

It’s hard to believe that spring is here with April Fools’ Day Nor’easter dropping snow in New England today, no joke! In spite of that there are plenty of places in the United States that are enjoying sunshine and balmy weather. Here in Southern California the prediction for this weekend is high 70’s to low Continue reading →

Sunbrella Hot Pink Is Here!

Sue R — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 21:33:55 +0000

Sunbrella® fabrics has added Hot Pink to its extensive color portfolio, bringing this fashionable hue to indoor and outdoor décor and signaling that consumers are ready to have fun with color again. Marilyn Monroe would have loved it! Shown here, Sunbrella hot pink adorns the Orient Dining Chair by Century Furniture, with Meadow custom finish by Richard Frinier. Fabric Continue reading →

Volunteers Make Sunbrella Dog Beds

Sue R — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:33:02 +0000

It’s a cold, icy day outside of the Sunbrella offices and all I can think of is curling up in a warm place away from the draft and chill of the freshly fallen sleet. I can’t imagine being exposed to the elements in this kind of weather. A group of volunteers in Sumner County, Tennessee Continue reading →

New Sunbrella Awning Treatment For Home Of World’s Oldest Man

Sue R — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:56:39 +0000

Sunbrella can’t boast of lasting 114 years (we’re just celebrating our 50th Anniversary in 2011) but Walter Breuning of Great Falls, Montana sure can! He has been verified as the world’s oldest man at 114 and has been given the elustrious honor of a listing in the Guinness Book of World Records as such. At his recent birthday party, Continue reading →

6 Presidents And 6 Recessions Later, Sunbrella Endures

Sue R — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:50:59 +0000

Perhaps Capital Hill could take some lessons from Sunbrella…….. If you follow Sunbrella advertising, editorial and other media coverage, you’re probably familiar with our mantra of durability, fade resistance and overall great quality. We’re constantly reinforcing this message to our customers and the consumer. While most markets that we service understand these claims because of Continue reading →

Homeowner Feels Awning Energy Savings Are Real, but the Homeowners Association says no

Sue R — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:16:03 +0000

A Charlotte, NC homeowner was enjoying the shade and energy savings from fixed awnings on her home when her homeowners association made her take them down. The Charlotte Observer has the details on this situation, that is yet to be resolved. We’ve learned in our travels around the country that there are a lot of misconceptions about awnings. We have Continue reading →

Southern Living Magazine TerraBella Idea House

Sue R — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:40:12 +0000

Here’s more on the Southern Living Idea House built in Covington, LA this year. Located 30 miles north of New Orleans, the community of TerraBella is a traditional neighborhood design taking architectural inspiration from the Creole cottages surrounding Covington. Sunbrella fabrics were used for outdoor furniture, awning and pergola applications. Here are a few casual shots Continue reading →

Sunbrella Celebrates House Beautiful Kitchen Of The Year

Sue R — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:40:46 +0000

House Beautiful’s live, fully-functioning kitchen is on display in Rockefeller Center, showcasing the latest in state-of-the-art kitchen design and accessories. The kitchen is designed by Jeff Lewis from the Bravo hit show Flipping Out. Sunbrella fabrics were used for outdoor furniture settings and an expansive awning. Here we have a couple of Sunbrella colleagues Continue reading →

Awnings On NCSU Solar House Help Conserve Energy

Sue R — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 21:37:50 +0000

Two drop arm awnings using Sunbrella fabric are contributing to the overall energy efficiency of a solar house project on the campus of North Carolina State University. Universities are often the hotbeds of innovation and this installation contains lots of ideas on how to build a home that provides both comfort and energy efficiency. The Continue reading →

Idea House Season Begins For Southern Treasures

Sue R — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:16:32 +0000

If you follow Sunbrella fabrics at all, you know that we regularly participate in shelter magazine idea houses. These projects incorporate expert construction with immaculate interior design and inspired garden displays that entice readers to explore how they can transform their homes with the ideas revealed. Most recently we took part in the Southern Living Continue reading →

Sunbrella Is Made For Shade

Sue R — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:57:44 +0000

There are so many ways to enhance your outdoor living space and incorporating shade ranks in importance right up there with having soft, green grass under your bare feet. And there are many ways to achieve shade: trees, umbrellas, canopies, retractable awnings….and the list goes on. The El Paso Times covers a lot of the bases Continue reading →

Spring Time For Cleaning

Sue R — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:29:37 +0000

They don’t call it Spring cleaning for nothing! With the warmer weather brings thoughts of getting out the pool and patio furniture cushions, popping up the umbrella and rolling out the retractable awning. Sometimes we get little cleaning challenges along with these Spring rituals. Here is a great article from The Detroit News on how to Continue reading →

Landscape Architects See Benefit In Awnings

Sue R — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:18:47 +0000

A recent survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) reveals that awnings are on the radar of residential landscape architects for outdoor living structures that bring value and functionality to homeowner’s outdoor living spaces. According to their news release on the survey, outdoor living will continue to grow in popularity but will incorporate fewer Continue reading →

Southern Living Custom Builders Learn about Awnings

Gina B Wicker — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:00:23 +0000

The Sunbrella team presented awnings made with Sunbrella fabric to sixty-two of the best builders in the Southeast at the Southern Living Custom Builder Conference in Point Clear, Alabama last week. The 17-year old program connects builders with sponsors to provide education and marketing opportunities, and this is the first year that Sunbrella has participated. Continue reading →

A Decked Out Deck

Sue R — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:48:50 +0000

Lee and Denise Rufty of Charlotte decided to add living space to their home – not inside – but outside – by adding a spacious new deck that I’d say is fit for a rocking Superbowl party. With ample seating, a retractable awning that provides cover for their widescreen TV, and outdoor cooking capability, this deck Continue reading →

The Global Reach Of Sunbrella

Sue R — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:17:30 +0000

While Sunbrella has been well established as THE go-to performance fabric in the United States, the global reach of Sunbrella is expanding all the time – as far as China. For those who demand high performance and durability for outdoor applications, Sunbrella is usually the first choice. It certainly was for these decorative pagoda style Continue reading →

Sunbrella And Barefoot Contessa Cookin’ In NY

Sue R — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:00:25 +0000

OK. I love Ina Garten. If she had a reality show to compete to be her new BFF, I would go to great lengths to be on it. Forget the flash-seeking fashion shells of Hollywood, Ina Garten is a REAL woman. She is a great cook, throws great parties, has a great laugh, and keeps the Continue reading →

Bob Vila Understands Awnings

Sue R — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:00:26 +0000

Here are a couple of links to Bob Vila web sites that share some great information about the beauty and energy efficiency of awnings. Check out this site for consumer information and this site for contractors. Bob Vila is one of the best known home remodeling authorities in the U.S. He pioneered the home television Continue reading →

Gearing Up For Fun In The Sun

Sue R — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:00:53 +0000

It’s that time of year when your mind starts wandering towards backyard barbecues, treks to the beach and spending time outside with your family and friends – or for a moment of solitude all by yourself. Memorial Day typically marks the beginning of the Summer season so lots of folks are readying their homes, boats and Continue reading →

20-Year-Old Awning Still A Looker

Sue R — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:00:34 +0000

If Sunbrella could only come up with something as effective to help people retain their youthful appearance! Actually Sunbrella has you covered with that but I’ll get to that later……first, take a look at this 20-year-old awning. The owners removed it recently but it’s hard to believe this awning had been out in the heat and searing sun of Mexico for Continue reading →