Think All Retractable Awnings Are the Same? Think Again
Many property owners select their retractable awnings based on looks and cost. However, build quality is critical. The performance of your awning over time is dependent on a strong, properly installed frame made of durable materials and a high-quality coating to protect from environmental damage. Harsh UV light can degrade low-quality coatings by breaking down the chemical bonds in them. Moisture also beats down on coatings, wearing them down, and it can attract mold. Flying debris on windy days is likely to scratch through cheap coatings.
Typically these budget deck covers have frames that have been painted with standard paint or a basic powder coat over a poorly prepared surface. STOBAG knows that awning selection is about more than colour—it starts with how the metal is treated before a coating is even applied.
What Makes STOBAG’s Retractable Awnings So Advanced?
The performance of a powder coat finish depends on more than the powder itself. That’s where cheap manufacturers take shortcuts. The lowest-cost competitors use simple but ultimately inadequate 1-4 stage wash processes, combining steps that would be performed best separately. That leaves residual chemicals on the surface and makes any retractable awning in Canada vulnerable to all types of wear and tear.
Compare that to STOBAG’s 5-stage pre-treatment process, which separates the most important actions into their own steps. Alkaline cleaning is followed by a fresh water rinse, as is a zirconium-based acid treatment. These patio awning frames are as clean as it’s possible to be, making their surfaces chemically stable and perfectly prepared for adhesion and corrosion resistance. Aside from the pre-treatment, STOBAG uses robotic automation for its powder coating process. That guarantees uniform coverage instead of the inconsistent coverage you can expect from manual application.
The Practical Benefits of STOBAG Patio Covers
STOBAG’s retractable awning coating provides long-term stability in the face of UV light, meaning impressive colour retention compared to traditional paint or lower-quality powder coatings. Intense summer sunlight, when combined with consistent moisture and salt air, poses a formidable challenge to all but the best powder coatings. Unlike liquid paints, powder coating produces few volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions when curing. Liquid paints contain solvents that evaporate into the environment. In contrast, powder coating needs no solvents at all. Additionally, the electrostatic application process keeps overspray at a minimum, so there’s less waste overall. Unused powder is even recyclable!
Qualicoat certification, bestowed by the Association for Quality Control in the Painting and Coating Industry in Zurich, establishes that STOBAG’s surface pre-treatment and finishing processes and materials are of high quality. Qualicoat-certified applicators even face two surprise audits every year from independent third parties.
Design Flexibility With STOBAG Awnings
STOBAG offers a massive range of colours, coming in three collections: Classic, Lifestyle, and Rainbow. Classic colours come at no extra cost; Lifestyle and Rainbow colours come with a modest additional fee. You can even match your frame colour to your property’s existing facade or trim. Mr. Cover All can help you determine how to achieve that through the perfect design and colour for your unique space.
