Clean lines, strong winds: Hoover Canvas awnings in action

By Sigrid Tornquist

Having an elegant Palm Beach, Fla., home across the street from the ocean sounds ideal, but an ocean-side home comes with significant maintenance challenges. Hoover Canvas Products Co., led by Jim Carroll Jr., MFC, addresses those challenges regularly.

Hoover designed the awning to withstand category five hurricane force winds—146 miles per hour—as well as corrosion from exposure to salt water. The crew framed the awning with aluminum pipe, and electrostatically painted the pipes with a high-grade three-part epoxy primer and two-part urethane top coat. They used 3/8-inch or larger stainless steel hardware and Tri Vantage® Patio 500® vinyl.

The awning is designed to add architectural beauty to the home while providing protection from the elements. However, there was minimal room for pitch on the portion covering the second floor balcony, which presented an additional challenge, so Hoover designed height into the awning by installing it above the gutter. The result is an awning-covered deck that is a sound and refined focal point of the backyard.

Sigrid Tornquist is a freelance author and editor based in St. Paul, Minn. She is also the associate editor of InTents magazine, a publication of the Industrial Fabrics Association International.