Performance Fabric News & Insights | Awning Fabrics

If you’re thinking of adding a patio space to your restaurant (or preparing your existing outdoor space for seasonal patio dining), you could be on your way to a significant revenue boost.

Adding an outdoor patio to your restaurant can increase gross profits by up to 65%, depending on how much you invest in the project. Research by restaurant and hospitality consulting company Vucurevich Simons Advisory Group found that an investment of $200,000 in an outdoor dining space could yield a gross profit of over $500,000.

Read More

“Would you like to be seated inside, or on our patio?”

Especially when it’s nice outside, many people would say, “Patio, please!”

Whether you call it outdoor dining, picnicking, feasting en plein aire, or eating al fresco, enjoying a meal outside is very much a part of everyday life, particularly in warmer months. But where did this tradition come from, and is it still alive and well today?

Read More

When it comes to commercial buildings, adding new outdoor spaces (or taking existing outdoor spaces to the next level) is a great way to add interest and boost value.

But depending on location, you may want a layer of protection from the elements. That’s where outdoor patio enclosures come in. Whether they’re year-round or seasonal, enclosures can increase the function of outdoor spaces.

How do you know which commercial-grade fabric is right for your outdoor patio enclosure project? Here are a few of the most important factors to consider:

Read More

As the world’s second-largest manufacturer, the United States has historically benefited from a robust manufacturing market, boasting plentiful manufacturing jobs and competitive power in the global economy.

However, high tariffs and expensive labor pose significant challenges, and this August, U.S. manufacturing shrank for the first time in about ten years, sparking concerns about the sector’s future. Are there still benefits to domestic manufacturing?

Read More

The right awning design can help make window seats more appealing, and even increase the amount of seating space by protection from the elements to those dining outdoors. Conversely, the wrong awning design can create poor curb appeal and actually drive customers away.

Read More

Stadium projects present a host of unique challenges for architectural firms. At capacity, a sporting event could host tens of thousands of guests, all looking to be seated comfortably — no matter where they are. Accommodating those expectations while also providing for infrastructure and amenities isn’t easy.

Read More

Your company's brand is one of your most valuable assets, and your retail stores are one of the most common places where consumers will engage with your brand, from the smells of the store, to the artwork, to your actual products.

That's why it's important to ensure that your store's exterior is as well-branded as your packaging. Here are some good examples of companies using awnings to brand their retail store exteriors.

.

Read More

Architects and contractors have a unique opportunity to make new homes and commercial buildings more sustainable for less money. Once a home is built, retrofitting it to be more earth-friendly can be difficult and costly. Designers who equip new properties with affordable sustainable features minimize environmental impacts for the life of the home. And, by employing tactics to use less, they end up saving the property owner money on utilities and waste in the long run, too.

Read More

Building greener is all about finding the right materials for your needs.

Innovators are constantly developing new and better sustainable building techniques and materials, driven in large part by increasing demand for carbon neutral construction. Knowing what materials are available and how to source them can help you build a cleaner, greener building — and maybe save some money in the process, too.

Read More

2018 is slated to be a huge and exciting year for sustainable architecture and design.

Why? In part, because sustainable building design ideas once considered radical are now crossing over to the mainstream. Now, everyone from architects and small business owners to local municipalities and global governance bodies can get help make the world a cleaner and greener place with projects both big and small.

Read More