December 21st, 2010 by admin
Everyone today wants to save money. We don’t believe in cutting corners. We do believe in offering options that allow people on a really tight budget to add awnings to a home or building.
Many customers don’t realize that part of the cost of an awning is the time it takes for a salesman to go to the location, measure and review options with the customer. An additional cost is for the crew to travel to the site and install it.
For customers on a budget, Parasol offers pre-made awnings in our most popular fabrics and sizes, ready to go. You can pick it up and install it yourself at a significant savings.
The workmanship on both the frame and fabric is the same excellent quality you would get from Parasol if you custom ordered it.
Another advantage is no waiting. Parasol always sets the standard on producing orders fast, three to four weeks on custom orders. With our pre-made awnings, the gratification is instant.
Michael Folk
President, Parasol Awnings
Tags: awnings, budget, Parasol, pre-made awnings, save money
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October 11th, 2010 by admin
Tension structures are a dream for many architects. But, the engineering requirements are a nightmare for the financial guy.
Tension structures rely on the tension of the fabric against cabling or metal framing to provide structural support. Because it uses fabric rather than brick , mortar, cement or glass, people assume that it’s cheap.
The unexpected costs come from the engineering and specifying requirements that are involved. Ensuring the structure is safe and secure before it’s built involves many man hours of specialized expertise, complex calculations and drawings.
As much as people love the idea of a tension structure, these engineering costs can be prohibitive.
I may be a fourth-generation contractor, but I’m also an accountant. At Parasol Awnings, we are often able to make suggestions that make seemingly impractical projects practical.
We’ve had a lot of success creating structures that I call “hybrid tension structures.” These structures look like tension structures but aren’t. The result is the beauty and appeal of a tension structure but without the high price tag for engineering.
The secret is stretching and fastening the fabric so tightly over a structure that it appears the fabric is in tension with the frame. In fact, the structure underneath is self supporting.
If you would like to create a tension structure, but are watching your dollars, talk to us. Maybe a hybrid is the right solution for you.
Michael Folk
President, Parasol Awnings
Tags: affordable, architects, engineering, hybrid tension, materials, Parasol Awnings, save money, structural support
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July 29th, 2010 by admin
Many times we hear from contractors or builders that they had a great idea for a building’s exterior design but had to abandon it because of expense.
My immediate reaction is always, why didn’t they call us first?
I may be a fourth-generation contractor, but I’m also an accountant. At Parasol Awnings, we are often able to make suggestions that make seemingly impractical projects practical.
For example, we worked with an architect on a church addition. The addition went over budget, and the contractor thought he would have to eliminate the covered drop-off aspect of the structure. With the church’s elderly population, a covered drop-off was important for safety and comfort.
The original budget for the drop-off structure was $250,000. At Parasol, we were able to create a covered drop-off and walkway for $25,000. That was 10% of the original cost.
A few years later, the church had the funds to replace the canopy structures with a permanent build.
Michael Folk
President, Parasol Awnings
Tags: awnings, building solutions, canopies, materials
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April 27th, 2010 by admin
On March 2, 2010 President Obama outlined energy efficient improvements that would qualify for the new HomeStar® Program. Sadly, awnings were not mentioned.
Like the home improvements he did include in his speech, awnings reduce energy consumption. A study by the Center for Sustainable Building Research at the University of Minnesota determined awnings could save more than 20% of a structure’s cooling costs.
President Obama also referred to the work created for small business through the HomeStar® Program. Many awning companies are like mine, small, family-owned shops that manufacture awnings and canopies on site with local craftsman and then install them using local labor.
At a time when Americans rarely manufacture anything in America, the awning and canopy industry is proof we can.
With an energy credit for awnings and canopies, we could reduce energy costs and create jobs.
Tell your lawmakers you want energy-saving canopies and awnings included in the HomeStar® Program. Write to me at michael@parasolawnings for a sample letter you can send to the people who represent you in Washington.
Michael Folk
President, Parasol Awnings
Tags: awnings, canopies, energy conservation, energy credits, materials, reduce energy costs, tax credits
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September 29th, 2009 by admin
Most industry outsiders think canopies and awnings haven’t evolved since they were installed on their grandparent’s house 70 years ago. Those of us in the business know better.
Canopies and awnings are continually evolving to answer today’s engineering, design and energy-conservation challenges. Here and across the country craftsmen and designers are pursuing innovative applications, experimenting with new materials and pioneering new processes.
In this blog, I will share with you some of these inspiring projects. You’ll be able to read about the latest advancements in energy conservation, cost savings, extended wear and durability, new fabrication techniques and configurations as well as bold graphics. If you know of an inspiring project, email me the details.
Michael Folk
President, Parasol Awnings
Tags: awnings, canopies, cost savings, energy conservation, extended wear, innovation, materials
Posted in From the president | 1 Comment »
