A Christmas Party to Remember: Holiday Hosting in Florida

Florida is known for its mild winters. Most days we enjoy temperatures in the 70s with a few cooler days sprinkled throughout the season. While families in other states huddle around the fire and stay indoors, Floridians can still host amazing parties in the great outdoors. This holiday season, host the perfect patio holiday party with these holiday hosting tips.

Warm Drinks

Consider having a few warm drink options available to your guests. A hot cocoa bar complete with marshmallows, sprinkles, and candy canes is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. You also can’t go wrong with classics like coffee, tea, and mulled cider. If you make the cider at home, you are guaranteed to fill the area with the delicious and warm holiday scents of cinnamon and clove. 

Make It Cozy

Adding soft pillows, throw blankets, candles, twinkling lights, and a fire pit can really transform your outdoor spaces for holiday gatherings. While it might not get that chilly, if your celebrations are in the evening, your guests will appreciate the extra warmth and coziness. 

Make It Fun

Have a few holiday games and activities planned for your party. Board games, ugly Christmas sweater contests, karaoke, and crafts are great ways to keep your guests entertained as you celebrate the season together. 

Make It Safe 

A retractable awning provides you and your guests with protection from 99% of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Even in winter, the Florida UV index can climb pretty high, and no one wants a sunburn for Christmas! Hosting a party under your awning also ensures that you and your guests have protection from light rain as well. In the evening, your awning creates the perfect space to hang holiday decor and lights!   

At Authority Home Solutions, we are passionate about helping homeowners create beautiful and safe outdoor spaces that they can enjoy for many years to come. For over 10 years we have been providing Ocala, The Villages, Gainesville, and the surrounding areas with elegant, functional, and affordable retractable awnings that extend outdoor spaces with style. We also offer storm protection and EasyShades for your home as well. Contact us today for a free estimate. Happy Holidays from your friends at Authority Home Solutions!

Cleaning Your Retractable Awning for the Holidays and New Year

Your retractable awning works hard, rain or shine, to keep your family and guests protected from the sun’s damaging rays, intense heat, and light rain showers. As durable as they may be, they do need cleaning from time to time. Fortunately, with a SunSetter retractable awning, you have peace of mind knowing that your awning’s fabric is water, mold, and UV-resistant, so it requires cleaning far less often. 

The holidays are a great time to clean your awning in preparation for guests or a fresh start for the new year. With a SunSetter awning, the cleaning process is fairly simple and you probably have all that you need to clean your awning right at home. Just remember, if you decide to try any specific types of cleaner not mentioned here, plan on testing a very small section at first to ensure that it is safe for use on your awning. 

To start the cleaning process, or maintain in between more thorough cleanings, use a broom to gently sweep away any dirt or debris that may have gathered on your awning surface. This is also an excellent time to inspect for any rust or damage to keep your awning operating optimally. You can also hose the fabric down in between cleanings, but remember to let it dry before retracting it. 

To clean your awning more thoroughly, we suggest using a mild, eco-friendly liquid soap and a soft bristle brush. If you choose to use something like a pressure washer for this, operate it at the lowest possible setting so that you don’t damage your awning or frames. Rinse your awning from top to bottom and allow it to dry. 

Using this gentle method to clean your awning ensures that you don’t damage the fabric or any protective coatings on your awning. With careful yearly cleaning and maintenance, your SunSetter awning will provide you and your family with safe, comfortable, outdoor spaces for many years to come. 

At Authority Home Solutions, we are passionate about helping homeowners to create safe and beautiful spaces outside their homes. We love hearing about all of the ways awning owners are enjoying their spaces and the ease of opening and closing it with the touch of a button. If you or someone you know is considering making a smart investment in their own outdoor oasis, you can count on Authority Home Solutions to provide exceptional products, installation, and customer service. For over 10 years we have been providing Ocala, The Villages, Gainesville, and the surrounding areas with elegant, functional, and affordable awnings that extend outdoor spaces with style. We are a SunSetter authorized dealer, and also offer storm protection and EasyShades for your home as well. Contact us today for a free estimate.

The Versatility of Retractable Awnings: Are you ready for Fall and Winter Weather?

A Retractable Awning Protecting Patio Furniture From Harmful UV Rays In The Villages, FL.

Many Floridians pulled out their sweaters and turned on the heat as cooler temperatures crept in this past week. While the cold front may have been unexpected, it is no surprise that our weather can vary drastically during the fall and winter months. To ensure that your home is prepared for these weather changes, you can rely on the versatility of a retractable awning.

Retractable awnings are an inexpensive way to add adjustable extensions to your home. In the fall and winter months, a cold early morning can often transition to a hot early afternoon. As Florida’s weather changes, you can adjust your motorized awning to the desired position easily and within seconds. On Florida’s warmest days your retractable awning can supply you with full shade protection from unwanted heat and UV rays. On those cooler days, it can be adjusted to offer you full or partial sun. Being able to manage the light reaching your home can be especially useful on foggy and overcast days as well.

Retractable awnings help keep you comfortable while also cutting energy costs. When the temperatures drop, exposing your home to the full sun helps to keep your interiors warm. You may never need to turn on the heat again! As temperatures rise, returning to full shade helps to keep your interiors cooler and provides maximum protection from UV rays. Your air conditioner and your wallet will thank you!

Regardless of the weather, you can count on Authority Home Solutions to provide you with outstanding services. As a Sunsetter authorized dealer, we know you will be happy with the quality and performance of the products we provide. We have been serving The Villages, Ocala, Gainesville, and the surrounding areas for over 10 years. Are you ready to be the next happy customer? Contact us today to get a free quote. We look forward to helping you add value, comfort, and protection to your home.