Hurricane
Preparation FAQ

Tropical Tidbits

NOAA Hurricane Center

HurricaneMap.org

Weather Nerds

Code requires awning covers to be removed if sustained winds exceed 74 MPH and/or gusts up to 105mph. That means that the minimum engineering design should withstand tropical storms. However, that is just the stated design criteria. Many factors come into play.  How old is the awning and frame? Old covers tend to rip easier. If a cover is near the end of it's useful life (7-15 years), it may be time to replace anyway. Remove the old cover so it doesn't transfer wind force to the frame.

Is there visible damage on the frame? Our frames are the strongest in South Florida, but your frame very well may have been built by another company that under-designed the structure or used thin-walled steel tubing that is now suffering from rust damage. Weak points are typically at the welds, or connections, including connections to any structure or slab. Wind loads generate a lot of dynamic uplift, so a weakened frame will be stressed during a storm and could crack or unfasten at the point of weakness.

An awning structure is flexible and will move in the storm. Is the awning in a wind protected area? The actual wind loads can be much less at the in-situ location of the awning than the current or projected wind speeds. For example, a patio awning protected by one or two walls of the house will be partially blocked from the wind. But an awning at the second floor or higher, or in an open area, will be subject to more force. If a tree or other debris source is near the awning, a projectile could also rip the fabric.

We have had awnings successfully survive strong storms in the past, such as Irma and Wilma. But when in doubt, remove the cover. A replacement cover is much less expensive than a replacement frame or home/building structure repair.

The objective is to free the frame of the cover temporarily. Efficiency and safety are paramount. First, prepare the area and gather the right tools and personal protection equipment for the job, which includes but is not limited to eye, hand, and head protection. Have assistance if needed. Fabric covers, especially large ones, are heavier than they look.

If the cover is in good condition and needs to be saved, using a utility knife, snips, or construction scissors, cut all of the lacing around the perimeter and at the intermediate rafter lugs (the lacing will not be re-usable; don't try to save it). If the awning is attached to the wall, there will be a channel also known as a "track." The cover will need to be slid out of the track parallel to the wall. If the cover has an extra gutter flap, that piece may need to be cut parallel to the gutter. Once off the frame, store the fabric cover in a clean, safe area.

If the cover is at the end of its useful life, and you intend to have it replaced in the near future, the simplest method to relieve wind pressure to the frame is to simply cut large openings in your old fabric. Carefully utilize a utility knife fastened to the end of an appropriately sized pole or yardstick and cut large X's in the fabric panels. This will greatly reduce the uplift force on the frame. Keep in mind that awning cover installation is a professional service, so whether it's reinstalling your old cover or installing a new cover, there will be an associated cost. So if that cover was in need of replacement anyway, you'll probably be happier hiring someone to install brand new fabric than an old cover.