Outdoor Business This Summer? Improve Customer Comfort with Commercial Shade

June 27, 2025

From Curb Appeal to Comfort

Summer is peak season for restaurants, cafés, markets, and storefronts that rely on foot traffic. But in Southern California, sunshine can be a double-edged sword: high heat and UV exposure make outdoor areas less inviting if shade isn’t part of the design.


If your business includes outdoor seating, waiting areas, or merchandise displays, now is the time to think about adding—or upgrading—your commercial awnings. At MQ Awnings, we design and install custom awnings that make outdoor areas cooler, more comfortable, and more visually appealing.


Whether you run a restaurant in Newport Beach or a boutique in Huntington Park, a well-designed awning isn’t just about blocking sun—it’s a way to improve customer experience, extend usable space, and strengthen your brand.

A flower shop with a striped awning on the front of it.

Why Shade Matters for Business

Hot weather directly affects how long customers stay, how much they enjoy their visit, and how likely they are to return. With inflation and competition affecting every corner of retail and hospitality, details like sun protection and climate comfort can make a real difference.


Here’s what a commercial awning provides:

  • Sun protection and cooler temperatures
    Quality awnings can reduce direct sunlight and glare, keeping customers and staff more comfortable during peak heat hours.
  • More usable outdoor space
    By covering patios or walkways, awnings allow businesses to expand seating or display areas without sacrificing customer comfort.
  • Reduced cooling costs
    Strategic placement of window and entrance awnings can reduce solar heat gain inside your building, easing the strain on your air conditioning system and lowering utility costs.
  • Increased curb appeal
    Awnings add architectural character, highlight your storefront, and make your business easier to spot from the street.
A small restaurant with tables and chairs in front of it.

Awnings for Every Business Type

At MQ Awnings, we offer both fixed and retractable awnings tailored to your building and business needs. Ideal for cafés, bars, and retail shops, these awnings offer reliable protection from heat and UV rays, and can be customized to match your building’s exterior.


Retractable options give you added flexibility—use them for shade during midday hours and retract them in the evening for open-sky ambiance.

A building with a roof that has a lot of lights on it

Opportunities for Branding

Commercial awnings are more than functional—they’re an extension of your brand identity.


We offer custom printing and graphics on awning fabrics, allowing you to include:

  • Your business name or logo
  • Taglines or slogans
  • Colors that match your visual branding
  • Storefront callouts (e.g., “Espresso & Gelato,” “Outdoor Seating,” “Now Open”)



A well-designed printed awning is visible from the street and sidewalk, attracting attention without extra signage. It’s especially effective in pedestrian-heavy areas like Old Town Orange, downtown Huntington Beach, or high-traffic shopping centers.

A house with a patio with a lot of chairs and a table.

Built for California Conditions

Our awnings are engineered for Southern California’s climate—that means resistance to sun fading, salt air, high winds, and sudden downpours.


We use:

  • Marine-grade acrylic fabrics with UV protection
  • Powder-coated aluminum frames for strength and corrosion resistance
  • CAD-driven custom design to ensure fit, style, and function
  • In-house fabrication and installation with no subcontracting delays



All projects are backed by warranties on both frame and fabric, and we handle all necessary permitting so your business stays compliant.

A blurry picture of people sitting at tables in a restaurant at night.

Get Ready for Summer

If your business uses or needs outdoor space, don’t let this summer pass you by without addressing shade. A new awning can boost revenue, reduce overhead, and elevate your customer experience.



Contact MQ Awnings today to schedule a consultation and learn how a tailored awning can transform your commercial property. Whether you need one storefront awning or an entire patio structure, we’re ready to design, build, and install it—on time and on budget.

A green awning is on the side of a building
A building with blue awnings and white shutters on the windows
A row of red lanterns hanging from the ceiling
A store front with a black and white awning over it.
A restaurant with tables and chairs in front of it.
A cafe with a green awning that says cafe jade

What Makes a High-Quality Awning?

June 19, 2025
Not all awnings are built the same. While many shade structures may look similar at a glance, the difference between a high-quality awning and one that wears out prematurely often comes down to the details—the materials used, the engineering behind it, and the experience of the team installing it.  At MQ Awnings, we have spent over 20 years designing and fabricating awnings for homes and businesses across Southern California. Our clients come to us for more than just shade—they want durability, function, and design that holds up season after season. So what exactly sets a premium awning apart from a lower-grade product? Here is what to look for.

Is It Time to Replace Your Old Awning? Here’s What to Look For

June 13, 2025
Assessing Awning Lif  espan A high-quality awning can last for years—but even the most durable shade structures do not last forever. Sun, wind, moisture, and age all take a toll. In Southern California, where exposure to intense UV rays is nearly constant, fabric and hardware wear down over time—even with proper care. At MQ Awnings, we specialize in designing, fabricating, and installing long-lasting awnings built to stand up to the elements. But we also handle repairs and recovers, and we know exactly what the warning signs are when an awning is reaching the end of its lifespan. If you’re wondering whether it’s time to replace yours, here are the key indicators to watch for.

What to Know Before Installing an Awning

June 5, 2025
Smart Planning for Lasting Results Adding an awning to your property is one of the most effective ways to improve both form and function. Whether you’re looking to create a shaded retreat, reduce indoor heat from sun exposure, or simply elevate your outdoor aesthetic, these structures offer a versatile solution. That said, a project like this is more than just picking a design and signing a contract. At MQ Awnings, we work with clients who value quality, durability, and attention to detail—and we know that getting the best results starts with being fully informed from the beginning. If you’re considering a new awning for your home or business, here are the key things to know before you start.

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Get Your Backyard Ready for Summer

May 30, 2025
Summer Starts Here As the weather warms up and the days stretch longer, backyards across Southern California begin calling for attention. Whether it’s family gatherings, quiet mornings with coffee, or weekend barbecues with friends, outdoor spaces come alive in the summer. But comfort, shade, and functionality do not happen on their own. Investing in the right shade structures now—awnings, pergolas, or canopies—can make all the difference when it comes time to enjoy the season. If you have been thinking about upgrading your outdoor space, this is the ideal moment to act. Here’s why.

Why Fabric Quality Matters: Choosing an Awning Company That Prioritizes Premium Materials

May 23, 2025
Quality Makes All the Difference When investing in an awning for your home or business, design and installation often take center stage. However, one of the most critical—and frequently overlooked—elements of a successful awning system is the quality of the fabric itself. Whether shading a backyard patio or creating an inviting storefront, the fabric used will directly impact the awning’s performance, longevity, and appearance. At MQ Awnings, we place a strong emphasis on using only high-quality awning fabrics because we understand that the material is more than a covering—it is the backbone of the product’s durability and value.

Modern Shade Solutions for Patios, Pools, and Rooftop Terraces

May 15, 2025
Shade in Style Southern California is made for outdoor living. With warm weather most of the year, homes and businesses in the region are increasingly transforming their outdoor areas into usable, comfortable extensions of their indoor space. The key to making these spaces enjoyable year-round? Effective shade. Whether you’re hosting pool parties, relaxing on your rooftop, or enjoying your backyard patio, having the right shade solution not only improves comfort but also adds style and value. Here’s a look at some of the most popular and effective modern shade structures offered by MQ Awnings—and how they’re being used across Southern California’s diverse properties.

The Truth About UV Protection: Why Your Home Needs a Quality Awning

May 9, 2025
Smart Shade, Safer Spaces When most people think of awnings, they picture shade and comfort—but few realize just how critical awnings are for protecting against harmful ultraviolet ( UV ) rays. In sunny climates like Southern California, prolonged sun exposure isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s dangerous. That’s where high-quality awnings from MQ Awnings come in. Offering up to 98% UV blockage, our awnings do more than just provide shade—they actively protect your home, health, and belongings.

The Art of Shade: How Awnings Are Changing Outdoor Living Design Trends in SoCal

May 2, 2025
Elevate Outdoor Living In sunny Southern California, where blue skies and mild weather are part of everyday life, outdoor living isn’t just a seasonal activity — it’s a way of life. Homeowners are investing more than ever in transforming their patios, decks, and yards into year-round extensions of their homes. One of the most impactful elements in this transformation? Awnings. At MQ Awnings, we’ve seen firsthand how the right shade solution can elevate not just comfort, but the entire aesthetic and function of a space. As the demand for sophisticated, stylish outdoor living areas grows, awnings are becoming essential design elements — not afterthoughts.

Why Commercial Properties Need Awnings Too

April 17, 2025
Boost Your Business with the Power of Awnings When most people think of awnings, they often picture them adorning charming residential patios or shading family backyard spaces. But awnings aren’t just for homeowners—they’re a smart investment for commercial properties as well. Whether you own a café, boutique, office building, or any customer-facing storefront, awnings can significantly enhance the functionality, aesthetics, and profitability of your business. At MQ Awnings, we specialize in both residential and commercial installations, offering custom solutions that meet the unique demands of commercial clients. Let’s explore why more and more businesses are turning to awnings—not just for looks, but for tangible, practical benefits.

How to Lower Your Energy Bills with Awnings

April 10, 2025
Cooler Home, Lower Bill  With utility rates on the rise and summers growing hotter each year, homeowners are searching for practical, long-term solutions to reduce their energy consumption. One surprisingly effective strategy is also one of the most timeless: adding awnings to your home. At MQ Awnings, we specialize in providing custom awning solutions that not only enhance curb appeal but also offer measurable energy-saving benefits. Awnings do far more than provide shade—they act as a first line of defense against solar heat gain, helping to maintain a cooler indoor environment and reducing reliance on air conditioning. Here’s how.
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