Save Your Awning: Why You Need to Schedule Your Takedown Before the First Snow

It is easy to love your awning in July. It provides that essential shade for your morning coffee, protects your patio furniture from UV rays, and keeps your deck cool during the dog days of summer.

But now that December is here, your awning likely falls into the category of "out of sight, out of mind." You aren’t using the patio, so you aren’t looking up.

However, ignoring your awning in the winter is a gamble that can cost you thousands of dollars. As we approach the season of Nor'easters and heavy, wet snow, taking proactive steps now is the only way to ensure your investment survives to see another spring.

At Ocean Tailors, we want your outdoor shading solutions to last for years. That is why we strongly recommend—and provide—professional awning takedown and winterization services.

The Physics of Snow Load

The most common misconception we hear from homeowners is, "It’s a sturdy awning, it can handle a little weather."

While high-quality awnings are engineered to withstand wind and rain, they are not designed to support weight. Retractable awnings and seasonal canopy frames are tensile structures—they rely on tension, not load-bearing beams.

New England snow is notoriously heavy. A few inches of wet, "cement-like" snow can weigh significantly more than the fabric and frame are designed to hold. When that weight accumulates on an extended awning, two things happen:

1. Fabric Failure: The fabric stretches, creating a "belly" that collects water and ice, eventually ripping the material.

   
   

2. Structural Failure: The frame arms buckle under the weight. In severe cases, the torque can be so great that it rips the mounting brackets right out of your home’s siding or fascia, causing damage to the actual structure of your house.

   
   

The "Retractable" Risk

If you have a motorized retractable awning, you might think you just need to push a button to be safe. While retracting is step one, winter brings other risks.

If moisture gets into the retracted unit and freezes, it can damage the motor. Furthermore, if you accidentally hit the remote button while the unit is frozen shut, you can burn out the motor instantly. Ensuring your unit is fully retracted, powered down, and potentially covered with a protective winter boot is essential for longevity.

Why Use a Professional Takedown Service?

For stationary awnings or seasonal patio covers that require physical removal, the DIY approach is often dangerous and difficult. Wrestling with heavy canvas on a ladder in freezing temperatures is a recipe for injury.

This is why Ocean Tailors offers a dedicated Awning Put Up and Take Down Service. We handle the heavy lifting so you don't have to.

When you hire Ocean Tailors for your seasonal takedown, you get more than just muscle; you get a professional inspection.

• The Health Check: As we take down your awning, we inspect the fabric for tears, mold, or UV damage.

• The Hardware Check: We check the frame and mounting hardware for rust or wear.

• Proper Storage: We know how to fold and store the material to prevent permanent creasing or mildew growth during the off-season.

Protect Your Investment

An awning is a significant investment in your home’s value and your quality of life. Leaving it exposed to the harsh Cape Cod winter accelerates its aging process by years. Salt spray, freezing rain, and wind whipping the valance can make a five-year-old awning look like it is twenty years old.

By utilizing a takedown service, you are essentially hitting "pause" on the aging of your awning. When we put it back up in the spring, it will look just as crisp and clean as it did when it came down.

Beat the Blizzard

The worst time to call for help is when the weatherman is predicting a foot of snow for tomorrow. By then, it is often too late to get on the schedule.

Take a look at your patio today. If your awning is still up, or if your seasonal canopy is still assembled, it is time to make the call.

Contact Ocean Tailors Today Let us handle the ladder work this winter. Protect your awning, protect your home, and enjoy peace of mind knowing your shade solution is safely stored away until the sun returns.

Call us today at (508) 255-5666 or visit us online to schedule your service!