Not only do aluminum awnings keep rainwater and sun off of your home, they can add to its appearance as well. You can go with the traditional silver awnings for a casual, rustic look, or choose ones in a color that coordinates with your house's siding. While aluminum awnings are available in basic black or white, you can also get them in a vibrant hue, such as red or blue, to add a pop of color to a neutral-hued building.
Aluminum awnings are durable and withstand outdoor elements such as rain, sun, wind and humidity well, but they may begin to degrade and show their age over time. To keep them looking and performing their best, it's important to clean and maintain them on a regular basis.
Here are some tips for caring for your home's aluminum awnings:
On a Weekly Basis:
Depending on the climate and environmental conditions of where you live, you may need to wash off your awnings on a weekly basis. If you live in an area that get a lot of rain, mud or dirt may build up on the awnings. City dwellers, especially ones who live near a major road or highway, may notice black soot from automobile exhaust and other pollutants on the awnings.
Give the aluminum a quick weekly rinse-off using a basic garden hose, which should loosen and remove any dirt before it can build up. For harder-to-remove debris, add a few drops of an eco-friendly household detergent to a bucket of warm water and rub it into the stubborn spots using a soft-bristled brush. Rinse the soapy solution off of the awnings using hose.
Avoid using a rough sponge or a hard-bristled brush, which could scratch the aluminum awnings or any paint that is covering them. If you use a sponge or cloth, make sure they are free of any pebbles or other small pieces of debris, which could also damage the metal.
On a Monthly or Bi-Annual Basis:
Either monthly or during spring and fall cleaning, give the awnings a thorough wash-down. Use a power washer to force-clean layers of debris and dirt from the aluminum, using either plain water or the machine manufacturer's recommended type of detergent.
If there are patches of mold or mildew on the awnings that the pressure washer couldn't remove, spray the areas with a mixture of 25-percent distilled white vinegar and 75-percent water, which won't harm lawn plants, shrubbery or grass like bleach can. Rub the solution into the patches and then rinse off with a hose.
Share14 September 2016
