Awning – What is a Pitch and Its Importance

If you are planning on purchasing an awning for your home or business, you probably would be researching the different types available, materials, costs, and installment procedures. During your research, you will come across new terminology such as ‘pitch.’ It is very important to understand what a pitch is and what importance it holds when it comes to awnings. Let us get started.

What is a pitch?

With respect to awnings, the term ‘pitch’ refers to the angle or slope the awning makes from its attachment to the building to the front. Most people believe that a pitch of an awning serves only an aesthetic purpose. But that is not entirely true. The pitch of an awning has many important functions, which maintain the integrity and proper functioning of the awning.

It allows the rainwater to run off properly and prevents it from accumulating in the center. This is important because too much rainwater accumulates in the center of the awning, and then the fabric may get damaged and may fall off. At that moment, if people are underneath, then it can cause injuries and be a serious safety hazard.

As a simple rule, the stepper the pitch of an awning is, the better it is, and the quicker the water will drain. If you install your awning at a small pitch, then there are chances that the water may accumulate on top. Another benefit of having a steep pitch for your awning is that it provides you with greater protection from sunlight and shade. A pitch can make a major difference to your awning. So it is very important that you install your awning at the right angle.

How to change the pitch of an awning

Awning companies in Chicago offer a wide variety of different types of awning, but without the right pitch, the awning will be of no use. Installing an awning all by yourself can be a difficult task, but it isn’t impossible. If you plan to install the awning on your own, then you can adjust the pitch of the awning by changing the position of the front and back bars. Make sure that the pitch is neither too shallow nor too steep. It should be at a perfect angle. Follow the instructions properly.

If you are having difficulty installing the awning all by yourself, then hire professionals to do the job. It may cost you a few more dollars but will surely be worth it in the long run because professionals know what they are doing and will install the awning correctly at the ideal angle so that you do not face any problems in the future. 

Rain and awnings

There is no secret that Chicago gets its fair share of rainfall, especially during the month of August. Retractable awnings can protect you from slight rain, but having them extended out during heavy rain and severe storms is not a good idea.

If you have a retractable awning, then it is a good practice to have it retracted back when it is not in use. This way, you do not have to worry about any damage that may be caused due to severe weather issues. If after rainfall you notice that water has accumulated on top of the fabric, then simply use a broom to push the fabric upwards so that the water can runoff.

Do not leave the water pooled up on top of the fabric, as this may damage the fabric over time. If you are unable to get the water off of the fabric, then immediately contact the professionals. Accumulation of water on top of the awning can press down on it and, with time, can affect the efficiency of the awning. In order to make your awning last for a greater number of years, you must maintain it and take care of it.

What is the ideal pitch?

You must be wondering, “What pitch should I set my awning at?”

The pitch of an awning is set at the time of installment and can range between 0 degrees to as steep as 45 degrees. The pitch depends upon the model. The pitch is determined by the walk under height once the awning is fully open and extended over the patio or space. The walk under height, along with the mounting height, is used to measure the right angle for your awning.

As a general rule, if you want a steep pitch, then you will need a higher mounting height and a lower lead rail height. A steeper angle provides better sun protection to the area under the awning as well as the internal room when the sun is shining at its maximum. 

Awnings are not just used to provide protection from the sun but also from rainfall. To make sure water runs off of the top of the awning after heavy rain, it is recommended that you set your awning at a pitch of 14 degrees or higher. This angle makes sure the water runs off and does not accumulate in the center of the fabric. As the water runs off, it also carries with it the dirt and debris on top of the awning.

In conclusion, a 14 degrees angle is the optimum angle an awning should be set at. This means that the awning falls 25cm at every meter. In order to further ensure you set your awning at the right angle, you can consult your awning company or professionals of the field.

In a nutshell

Simply purchasing an awning does not complete your journey. In order to avail all the benefits offered by an awning, you must make sure it is of the correct material; type is installed correctly, and has the ideal pitch. The pitch holds immense importance when it comes to how well your awning performs in rainfall. An ideal pitch of 14 degrees helps prevent the accumulation of water on top of the awning and prevents it from getting damaged and broken. Not just that, it also prevents the occurrence of any safety hazard and protects the underneath area from harmful UV light.