Comparing Aluminum Composite Panels With Traditional Awnings

It’s no secret that Singapore doesn’t have room for excess when it comes to real estate, so for both homeowners and business operators, making the most out of the space available is a must. 

This need has caused property owners to turn to awning installers in Singapore to ensure their outdoor areas such as patios, balconies – and sometimes even smaller ledges – are usable, no matter what the sky’s up to. 

Whether it’s an outdoor section of a cafe, a couple of lounge chairs on a home balcony, or an outcropping devoted to potted plants, there are plenty of spaces that you’ll see covered with awnings in Singapore. These come in a variety of designs and materials, ranging from old-school canvas/polyester awnings to new-age aluminium composite panels. Here, we’ll take a look at how traditional awnings compare against awnings crafted from composite panels amidst Singapore’s urban skyline.

Aluminium Composite Panels: Customisable Convenience

A majority of the awnings that use composite panels in Singapore are based on aluminium composite panels, commonly referred to as ACP. These panels are typically made by bonding two thin aluminium sheets to a non-aluminium core. This combination of materials makes them durable, weather-resistant, lightweight, and highly customisable.

The sleek, modern look of aluminium composite panels is ideal for urban households 

Photo: Ryunosuke Kikuno, Unsplash

The lightweight and durable nature of aluminium composite panels make them a versatile solution that can overcome the typical building-related constraints in urban areas, while also lowering maintenance costs. Moreover, they offer customisation options beyond colour and texture – with composite panels in Singapore, you can control thickness, transparency. panel shape, and more to suit your space.

Traditional Awnings: The Nostalgic Choice

Traditional awnings, made from materials such as canvas, polyester, or wood, have decorated the facades of shops and homes for decades. In addition to their classic appearance, they provide adequate protection against Singapore’s tropical climate – some might admit that simply watching them catch the breeze on a hot day is enough to make the air feel a little less humid.

The iconic canvas awning works best as part of a laid-back, retro aesthetic

Photo: Behzad Ghaffarian. Unsplash

However, these materials tend to degrade over time. After years of exposure to UV rays and monsoon rains, these awnings are likely to eventually lose their colour, tear/crack, or develop mould. Thus, a good bit of effort will need to go into their maintenance – unless you want to naturally develop the aesthetic of a haunted house!

Traditional Awnings vs. Composite Panels in Singapore

So are you better off setting aside your idea of installing a traditional awning and going with aluminium composite panels instead? As any reliable awning installer in Singapore would tell you – it all depends. 

With aluminium composite panels, durability is a significant advantage, as you can expect them to not fade or corrode amidst harsh weather. This means you’ll spend less on maintenance and replacement, making them cheaper in the long term over options like canvas or polyester.

However, for most of us, the biggest factor is aesthetics. Here, aluminium composite panels allow a major deal of flexibility in terms of look and feel, as they can be customised to match your exterior. Still, if you’ve spent years picturing your dream home with a traditional awning over the patio, you aren’t going to be satisfied until you bring that dream to life – at that point, costs are secondary.

So while you can expect increased convenience, reduced costs, and countless styles from composite panels in Singapore, the right type of awning for you will always be a matter of personal taste. 

That said, Singapore has a decidedly urban aesthetic, so the bold, minimalist styles of aluminium composite panels is a perfect fit, at least in more populated neighbourhoods. While you might desire a rustic, old-school charm for your home, it might end up standing out from the crowd – and not in the good way!  

Balancing Aesthetics: Choosing the Right Awning Supplier in Singapore

Whether you want your awning to exude the rustic feel of mahogany or prefer to keep things contemporary with composite, you need to first get in touch with an expert awning installer in Singapore. This will make the entire process so much easier for you.

Ensuring the construction’s structural integrity, sourcing the right materials, fabricating them to specification, conducting a safe and timely installation, and providing regular maintenance and prompt repair services – with an expert, you can bank on receiving such an end-to-end solution. Locking down the look and feel of your awning is merely the first part of this process – but that doesn’t make it any less important.

Done right, an awning will positively contribute to the overall design of a property 

Photo: Moonlight PTE LTD

An expert awning installer in Singapore can help you achieve unique and interesting outcomes with a creatively designed awning setup that works with the space around it. The image above – an installation by Singapore firm Moonlight, whose expertise includes awnings, blinds, platforms, clay tiles, and other fixtures – illustrates how a holistic approach to the design of an awning can uplift the entire property.

The setup pictured features aluminium composite panels with a translucent midsection to allow daylight into the patio. The awning is coloured to match the neutral tone of the building, whereas the cylinder shapes of its support beams mirror the palm trees outside. Meanwhile, the building’s curtains provide a welcome touch of contrast, both tonally and thematically, with their tropical sea-and-sky feel in turquoise showcased against the stark white walls. 

Thus, choosing a partner that can ensure a stylistic match between your awnings and Singapore’s urban environment can add value to your home, as well as your entire neighbourhood. Pick the right partner to help you explore the world of possibilities ahead – with an expert, you can turn a simple exterior fixture into a delightful addition to your home’s appeal.