“Curb appeal” refers to how your home looks from the outside – not only taking into account the architectural style and features of the property, but also landscaping, other decorative elements and of course how well your outdoor space is maintained.
A study carried out by the Post Office in 2020 revealed that a landscaped garden could add up to 77% to the value of a property. Whilst a landscaped outdoor space may not be within everyone’s budget, there are a number of improvements you can make to the exterior of your home that are quick, easy and affordable and achieve the same result.
The importance of your outdoor space
For many people, the garden is often an afterthought. However, a well-maintained outdoor space can actually make the world of difference in terms of curb appeal and property value – regardless of its size.
Having a limited outdoor space does not mean you should be limited to what you can do with it. Whether you’ve got a sizeable garden or a small courtyard, terrace or balcony, the installation of an easy-to-use external shading solution will act as an extension of the roof of your property, linking the home and garden and making both areas look and feel bigger.
The solution
A straightforward and inexpensive solution to transform the exterior of any residential property, an awning is essentially a fabric canopy that attaches to the side of the house and extends and retracts using spring tensioned folding arms.
Awnings not only offer additional privacy – particularly in built-up areas – but they provide instant shade from sunlight; both heat and glare (bright light), outstanding UV protection (typically 97.5% minimum UV block) and shelter from unexpected rain showers, whilst also withstanding wind speeds of up to 30mph (in some cases).
They also offer a much-needed cooling effect to the indoor room adjacent to where they are positioned, ensuring a comfortable living space during both the summer and winter months, whilst filtering UV rays to stop furniture from fading.
The benefits
Both practical and stylish, retractable awnings can be designed and built to your exact requirements, no matter the size of your outdoor space and façade or what you plan to use it for – whether it be alfresco dining, entertaining guests or relaxing.
This particular type of shading allows all types of outside spaces to be utilised throughout the seasons – even more so when equipped with additional accessories such as LED lighting and infra-red heating – ensuring a cosy and pleasant environment all year round. Operation can either be manual (using a handle) or motorised (using a remote control), or even an app on your smartphone.
Our Managing Director, Stuart Dantzic, said: “External shading solutions such as awnings are continuing to grow in popularity as more homeowners are seeking quality products that allow them to utilise their garden by helping blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living.
High-end retractable awnings are widely considered to be more versatile than other shading systems including gazebos and parasols due to their ease of use, as well as the adequate shelter, privacy and instant style they add to any property.
A motorised awning that can be adjusted at just the touch of a button – with any add-ons such as lighting and heating – is the ideal solution for those who love to live life outdoors.”
At Caribbean Blinds, we offer a customised design service and are able to meet any specific requirements you may have by working to a bespoke brief. To find out more about our premium range of retractable awnings, contact one of our knowledgeable experts on 0344 800 1947.
