Why Is Sun Protection So Important In South Florida?

According to a published manuscript in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health:

“Florida has the second highest incidence of melanoma in the United States, with an estimated 5260 new cases in 2011. More than 600 Floridians die of melanoma every year; since 1975, the number of deaths among residents older than age 50 has almost doubled.”

And, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation:

• More than 5.4 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer were treated in over 3.3 million people in the U.S. in 2012, the most recent year new statistics were available.
• More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined.
• One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
• Actinic keratosis is the most common precancer; it affects more than 58 million Americans.
• The annual cost of treating skin cancers in the U.S. is estimated at $8.1 billion: about $4.8 billion for nonmelanoma skin cancers and $3.3 billion for melanoma.

These statistics have only grown over the last 5 to 6 years and continue to grow. We are not presenting these quick facts to scare you, but the threat from long-term sun exposure is very real.

As residents of South Florida, we live, work, and play here as well. And, as the owners of Awning Stars, LLC our goal is to provide quality, effective shade solutions for your home or business.

One of our most popular and effective shade products is our Retractable Awning. Retractable Awnings are very effective against the harmful rays of the sun because the use of solution dyed acrylic fabrics block up to 95% of UV rays. Only the highest quality fabrics such as Sattler® and Sunbrella® are used and best of all they are endorsed by the Skin Cancer Foundation as a recommended UV protectant. Our Retractable Awnings can be built up to 40 feet wide, and have projections up to 14’8”. They meet Florida Building Code and Miami-Dade Hurricane Code Approval (NOA). Awning Stars Retractable Awnings are some of the strongest Roll-Out Awnings in the industry.

This gives us the ability to provide effective shade to most outdoor spaces at homes and businesses throughout South Florida. An added benefit of the retractable awning is its ability to block rain as well. So, now your lanai or outdoor space can be sun and rain free. Up to 4 colors of Powder Coat for the frames and hundreds of colors and patterns for the fabric give us the ability to match any décor for your outdoor space. One of the greatest advantages of Retractable Awnings is that they open fast when you need them, and close fast when you don’t.

Another popular product in our line-up is our Solar Shades. Our Solar Shades are not the same low quality products that you get from the big box stores. Ours are custom made up to 20 feet wide, and up to 12 feet tall. Our precision components are manufactured in Europe and the USA to ensure the highest quality possible. Fabrics are from the top manufacturers in the world such as Twitchell®, Ferrari®, Phifer®, Mermet®, Tempotest®, and more and come in a variety of colors and openness to control airflow, sun intensity, rain, and privacy. High-density polyester and fiberglass fabrics ensure you years of trouble free protection. And, with manual or push-button motorized convenience they are super easy to deploy.

For those customers who want the same effectiveness as our solar shades with the added benefit of insect protection we offer you our Captured Edge Screens. Captured Edge Screens also known as Track Screens, Insect Screens or Bug Screens are attached all around to completely seal out pesky pests (both the flying and crawling kind). They are also effective in keeping children and small pets within a predefined area. Motorized operation allows for ease of use to quickly gain protection from the elements. Like our Retractable Awnings, Multi-channel remote controls allow you to open or close each unit individually, or in unison. They can also be integrated into Home Automation Systems using the Somfy® Z-Wave to RTS converter, or be controlled by any tablet or Smartphone with the Somfy® MyLink system.

Awning Stars sells and installs some of the largest Motorized Captured Edge Screens on the market with widths up to and over 26 feet, and Heights up to and over 16 feet.

Outside mounts, inside mounts, and recessed mounts allow us to accommodate your particular installation wants and needs to provide the perfect solution that properly integrates into your home or business.

Another fantastic patio and deck shade product we offer is the Offset Umbrella. Besides selling some of the best, most durable Table Umbrellas, Market Umbrellas and Cabanas, we have Giant Offset Umbrellas to cover just about any space. Offset Umbrellas are so desirable because of the ability to open and close them fast, move them if needed, or swivel them out of the way (most models). They can also be made in many sizes and shapes such as square, round, octagonal, and rectangular. They come in single, double, and quad configurations to cover a variety of large spaces. Many powder coat frame colors and fabric colors and textures are available to enhance an outdoor space or integrate to existing decor. Like our Retractable Awnings, the fabrics used are high quality Solution Dyed Acrylic which is not only water and mold resistant, but blocks up to 95% of UV rays. Offset Umbrellas are usually the choice for areas away from a building or structure where sun and rain protection is needed. Many restaurants, hotels, and resorts use umbrellas and cabanas to provide shelter from the elements.

Now is the time to start thinking about your skin health if you have not done so already. Awning Stars is your premier South Florida supplier of quality built American Made (of European and American parts) shade products. Our in-home estimates are always educational and pressure free. We love what we do and would appreciate the opportunity to help protect you, your family, and customers from the damaging effects of the very hot South Florida sun.