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.

A red awning is on the side of a building

A First Impression That Works for You

First impressions matter, especially in business. Your storefront is often the first thing a customer sees, and a well-designed awning can convey professionalism, attention to detail, and style. Whether it’s a traditional fabric awning for a historic main street shop or a sleek, retractable model for a modern office park, the right awning adds personality and polish.


Custom awnings can also help reinforce your brand. With options for printed logos, colors that match your company’s palette, and stylized designs, your awning becomes a functional extension of your marketing. It’s free advertising, 24/7.

A white building with a blue awning and a sign that says ranch market

Increased Comfort = Increased Business

Commercial awnings provide shade and protection from the elements, allowing businesses to create more usable space outdoors. For restaurants and cafés, that can mean more seating during warm months. For retail stores, it offers a more comfortable entrance, which can encourage foot traffic on sunny or rainy days.


Customers are more likely to spend time—and money—in places where they feel comfortable. Awnings offer protection from harsh UV rays and sudden rain showers, helping to create a more pleasant shopping or dining experience.

The outside of a dental office with red awnings

Energy Efficiency and Lower Operating Costs

In addition to enhancing comfort, awnings can also help cut down on energy expenses. By blocking direct sunlight from entering windows and doors, awnings reduce indoor temperatures and minimize the strain on air conditioning systems.


According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy, window awnings can reduce solar heat gain by up to 65% on south-facing windows and 77% on west-facing ones. That can translate to noticeable savings on your cooling bills during the warmer months—something every business can appreciate.


Protection for Products and Interiors

If your commercial space has large windows or glass doors, chances are your merchandise or furnishings are being exposed to direct sunlight throughout the day. This can lead to fading of fabrics, discoloration of products, and even damage to sensitive inventory.


Awnings serve as a shield, protecting your store’s interior from UV damage and helping you maintain the quality of your merchandise and decor. This means fewer replacements and repairs, which helps preserve your bottom line over time.

A building with a lot of windows and awnings on it

Year-Round Versatility and Customization

At MQ Awnings, we offer an array of awning styles and materials suitable for any commercial application. Whether you need a retractable awning that adapts to changing weather or a fixed awning that provides constant protection, we can create a solution tailored to your business.


Our team will work with you from consultation through installation to ensure the final product aligns with your aesthetic goals, functional needs, and budget. We understand that commercial awnings must balance form and function, and we’re here to deliver on both.

A building with a sign that says gentle on it

Ready to Transform Your Business?

Adding awnings to your commercial property is more than just a cosmetic upgrade—it’s an investment in comfort, energy efficiency, and customer experience. Whether you’re a business owner looking to boost foot traffic or a property manager seeking ways to improve tenant satisfaction, commercial awnings can deliver measurable benefits.


Contact MQ Awnings today to learn more about our commercial awning options and schedule a free consultation. Let’s make your business look better, feel cooler, and work smarter.

A building with a black awning that says raleigh 1010
A large stone building with a canopy over the entrance
A red awning is on the side of a building.
The front door of a building with a black awning over it.
A large house with a striped awning over the front door
A red awning is on the side of a building.

Fabric Innovations in Awnings: Durability, Style, and UV Protection

September 11, 2025
Awnings have always been valued for their ability to provide shade and comfort, but today’s awnings do much more than block the sun. Thanks to advances in fabric technology, modern awnings offer durability, enhanced style, and superior protection against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. At MQ Awnings, we provide homeowners and businesses with awnings that not only transform outdoor spaces but also deliver long-term performance.

How Awnings Protect Outdoor Furniture and Flooring

September 4, 2025
Why Awnings Are the Key to Comfort and Durability Outdoors Outdoor living spaces have become an extension of the home, offering a place to relax, entertain, and spend time with family. Patios, decks, and porches are often furnished with comfortable seating, dining sets, and stylish décor that transform these spaces into true living areas. However, constant exposure to sunlight, rain, and fluctuating weather can take a toll on outdoor furniture and flooring. One of the best ways to preserve these investments is by installing a high-quality awning. At MQ Awnings, we design solutions that provide shade, comfort, and long-lasting protection for your outdoor spaces.

Why Professional Installation Ensures Safer and Longer-Lasting Awnings

August 27, 2025
How Expert Installation Maximizes Awning Value Awnings are more than an addition to your home or business. They provide shade, reduce energy costs, and add beauty to your property. However, the true value of an awning depends on how it is installed. Even the highest quality fabric and frame will underperform or fail prematurely if the installation is not done correctly. At MQ Awnings, we have seen the difference professional installation makes, and we believe it is one of the most important factors in protecting your investment. Safety Comes First Improperly installed awnings can create serious safety hazards. An awning that is not anchored securely may detach in high winds, damaging property or even injuring people. DIY installations often rely on hardware that is not strong enough or improperly aligned with the structure of the building. Professional installers know how to evaluate the wall, roofline, or support beams to ensure the awning is mounted safely and built to withstand weather conditions. By trusting experts, you ensure your awning is not only attractive but also safe for your family, guests, or customers.

Designing Custom Awnings to Complement Your Architecture

August 21, 2025
Where Style Meets Function Awnings are more than shade structures; they are architectural features that shape the look and feel of a property. Whether for a home or a business, the right awning can provide practical benefits while also enhancing visual appeal. At MQ Awnings, we specialize in creating custom awnings designed to harmonize with your building’s architecture, ensuring that form and function work seamlessly together. Why Design Matters Every building has its own style, from classic and traditional to sleek and modern. A poorly matched awning can appear out of place, but a thoughtfully designed one adds balance and character. Beyond aesthetics, the design also affects how the awning performs. The right shape, fabric, and frame can maximize shade, improve energy efficiency, and provide protection against the elements, all while blending naturally with the property’s structure.

Boosting Curb Appeal with Custom Awning Designs

August 15, 2025
The Power of a Well-Designed Awning A well-designed awning can transform the exterior of a home or business. Beyond providing shade and protection from the elements, custom awnings have the ability to enhance architectural style, create a more welcoming atmosphere, and make a property stand out in a competitive marketplace. Whether the goal is to attract new customers, elevate brand identity, or add character to a residence, the right awning design can significantly improve curb appeal .

Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Install New Awnings on Your Commercial Property

August 7, 2025
Awnings Elevate Brand and Comfort Awnings do more than provide shade. For many businesses, they serve as functional extensions of a brand, offering visibility, curb appeal, and customer comfort. If you have been considering installing new awnings or upgrading your current setup, the fall season offers several distinct advantages. From favorable weather to scheduling flexibility and even brand enhancement, autumn may be the smartest time of year to invest in this impactful improvement. Cooler Temperatures Make Installation Easier and Safer One of the most practical reasons to install commercial awnings in the fall is the weather. The scorching heat of summer has passed, which means installation crews can work more efficiently and comfortably. Cooler temperatures reduce the likelihood of weather-related delays, especially in parts of California where dry, mild autumns are common. It also means less disruption for your customers or employees during the install. Moreover, the materials themselves benefit from a less intense sun during installation. Fabric tensioning and adhesives perform more consistently in temperate conditions, leading to a cleaner, more precise finish that lasts.

The ROI of Commercial Awnings: Curb Appeal That Pays Off

July 31, 2025
Elevat  e Your Business with a Smart Storefront When running a business, first impressions matter. Whether you manage a boutique, café, office building, or multi-use retail space, your storefront is often the first interaction potential customers have with your brand. Installing a high-quality custom awning can immediately elevate your property’s appearance and the return on investment goes far beyond aesthetics.

Summer Shade Strategies for Patios and Decks That Actually Work

July 25, 2025
Smart Shade, Elevated Style As temperatures climb and days get longer, outdoor spaces become the heart of the home. Whether it’s a morning coffee on the deck, an alfresco lunch, or a shaded lounge area to escape the afternoon heat, a well-designed patio or deck should be comfortable—not sweltering. But to truly enjoy these spaces in the summer, you need smart, effective shade.  At MQ Awnings, we specialize in shade systems that are not only practical but also crafted to elevate the look and feel of your home. Here’s how to keep your patio or deck comfortably shaded all summer long—with strategies that actually work.

How to Extend the Life of Your Custom Awning: Care and Maintenance Tips

July 17, 2025
 Essential Awning Care Investing in a high-quality custom awning is a smart decision, one that improves your outdoor living space, adds architectural character to your home or business, and provides long-lasting protection from the elements. But like any investment exposed to weather and time, your awning needs proper care to maintain its performance and appearance. At MQ Awnings, we build canopies that are engineered to last. That said, routine upkeep plays a vital role in keeping your awning looking sharp and functioning as intended. Below are practical tips to help you extend the life of your awning, whether it is installed at a residential property or a commercial storefront.

The Role of Awnings in ADA Compliance and Accessible Design

July 11, 2025
Functional and Inclusive Designing an accessible building is about more than just meeting code requirements — it’s about creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for everyone. For commercial properties, one of the most overlooked but valuable elements in accessible design is the awning. At MQ Awnings, we specialize in crafting custom awning solutions that do more than provide shade — they enhance functionality, safety, and accessibility. In this article, we’ll explore how properly designed and installed awnings can support ADA compliance and why they matter in inclusive architectural planning.
More Posts