Warema awnings provide attractive and reliable sun shading. The fabrics filter between 90 and 100 percent of UV radiation, enabling people with sensitive skin to spend more time outdoors. But what exactly is UV radiation and why is it harmful? "Solar radiation consists of warming infrared rays, the visible rays that we perceive as light, and ultraviolet rays," says Uwe Burs, textile engineer at Warema. "UV rays have a shorter wavelength than normal light and are much more harmful to the skin. Scientists distinguish between UVA, B and C. The dangerous UVC rays are filtered out by the ozone layer. Excessive exposure to UVB causes sunburn and can play a role in the development of skin cancer. UVA causes the melanin in the skin to darken. If melanin is present in the skin, the skin can tan visibly faster. However, UVA also accelerates the aging of the skin."

Selecting the right sun protection factor for every skin type
Awnings help protect the skin from UV radiation, but not every awning provides the same type of shading. The quality of shading greatly depends on the fabric and its colour. An awning’s sun protection factor is measured in UPF (ultraviolet protection factor). This is comparable to the sun protection factor of sun screens and specifies how much longer a person can safely spend in the sun depending on their skin type. Awnings with different UPF values are recommended for different skin types. People with very fair skin, blonde hair and blue eyes generally cannot stay in the sun without protection for more than ten minutes without risking sunburn. With a UPF of 30, this time can be multiplied by 30 to about 300 minutes, or five hours. "In fact, the quality of the awning fabric isn’t the only thing that affects the UPF – the dye saturation is also important. The colour itself is not a factor. It is therefore recommended that people with sensitive skin look at the UPF values specified for the materials in the collection", says Burs.

Colours can also affect the patio atmosphere and help to create perfect moments. Warema's various awning models allow you to make your space your own, with different fabrics in over 300 designs. This also affects the perception of the space, ranging from cool to warm. Cold tones such as blue and green, for instance, have a fresh and calming effect. Warm tones such as red and yellow, on the other hand, create a vibrant and stimulating atmosphere. Neutral tones such as grey and white hardly change the colour temperature of natural light. Different fabric colours help achieve the desired effect in every situation. For matching frame colours, Warema offers more than 200 shades and five surface qualities, allowing every awning to be perfectly matched to the facade.

If you want to spend your summer relaxing on your patio or balcony without a care in the world, then make your outdoor space your own – choose the right awning for a pleasant atmosphere and reliable UV protection. For inspiration on colours and fabrics, visit the Warema Collection Assistant at www.warema.en/collection.

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