Preventing Porch and Patio Pests

Florida residents are fortunate to be able to enjoy their outdoor spaces year-round. Unfortunately, many insects also enjoy these outdoor spaces which can be a major nuisance. How can you prevent pesky pests from putting a damper on your outdoor fun? Here are a few tips to help keep those houseflies, fruitflies, bees, wasps, mosquitos, spiders, roaches, ants, moths, and fleas from joining you in your outdoor oasis.

Plant Power

Growing bug repellent herbs and flowers is an excellent way to deter pests from taking up residence in your outdoor spaces. Not only are many of them beautiful and fragrant, but some are very useful in your cooking as well. The following plants would be an excellent choice for your porch or patio: rosemary, garlic, lemongrass, chive, geraniums, mint, lemon thyme, lavender, marigolds, and basil.

Do-It-Yourself Spray Deterrents 

Creating your own pest deterrent spray with mint mouthwash or hydrogen peroxide mixed with water can be a powerful way to keep bugs at bay. Prepare your solution in a spray bottle and then spray the perimeter of your space, patio furniture, and entryways. When spraying your outdoor spaces, be sure to avoid food, drinks, and pet bowls. 

Update Your Outdoor Lighting 

Citronella candles and torches can add a festive and fragrant touch to your outdoor spaces. Best of all, candles and torches made with real citronella oil help keep pests away! Switching your outdoor light bulbs can also make a big difference. Bugs only see shorter wavelengths of light, so they are most drawn to blues, purples, and UV lights. Warmer colors, on the other hand, are far less visible. Opt for sodium vapor lighting or yellow light as the most effective light deterrent. 

Keep It Tidy 

Keeping your porches and patios clean is well worth the effort. Even the tiniest morsel of food left behind can attract bugs. Remember to drain any standing water around your home, as well. Standing water provides the perfect environment for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. Opt for moving or aerated water features with items like bird baths. If that isn’t possible, you can add a product called “mosquito dunks” to these areas. These small, stonelike, round discs contain a bacteria that kills mosquito larvae without harming other wildlife. 

The Comfort of EasyShades

The best way to keep pests off your porches and patios is by creating an impassable barrier. SunSetter’s EasyShades are retractable screens that keep pests out without blocking light and airflow. They can also protect your spaces from inclement weather, damaging sun rays, and intense heat. EasyShades protect you, your family, and your guests without sacrificing visibility. 

At Authority Home Solutions we help home and business owners to love their outdoor spaces again. For over ten years we have been providing the Villages, Ocala, Gainesville, and the surrounding areas with beautiful and functional retractable awnings and storm protection. We are a SunSetter authorized dealer with exceptional customer service and installation. Contact us today to schedule a free demonstration of our high-quality SunSetter retractable awnings and EasyShades.

Outdoor Living with Sunbrella Shade Fabrics

Awnings provide homes, businesses, and families with curb appeal and protection all year round. When it comes to choosing the right fabric for your investment, it is wise to choose something that is both durable and easy to clean. Is it possible to find this in an outdoor fabric without sacrificing color and curb appeal? Absolutely!  Sunbrella’s shade fabrics are designed to withstand the elements while complementing your home and awning beautifully.

About Sunbrella 

Sunbrella is a family-owned company providing high-quality textiles since 1961. While they manufacture across the globe, the main manufacturing facility is located in Anderson, South Carolina. Sunbrella has a long-standing reputation for its ongoing research and development to create products that have increased in durability, appealing design, and sustainability. They consistently go above and beyond the industry standard with their award-winning designs.  Sunbrella’s fabrics can be found on both indoor and outdoor furniture, window treatments, awnings, and even boats. 

Color and Durability

While many companies create outdoor fabrics and then coat them in a finish, Sunbrella’s performance fabrics are engineered, to their core, to maintain their rich color and strength against the elements. While surface finishes gradually wear off with exposure to the elements, Sunbrella’s 100% solution-dyed fabrics are inherently fade resistant, UV protective, and maintain their quality through cleaning, wear, and exposure to the elements. The fabric fibers are also engineered to be mold, mildew, stain, and water-resistant too!.

At Authority Home Solutions, we are proud to be your #1 local SunSetter and Sunbrella authorized supplier. We are locally owned and operated and have been serving Ocala, the Villages, Gainesville, and the surrounding areas for over ten years. We offer unmatched customer service and installation quality and would love to schedule a free demonstration for you. Contact us today so you can experience outdoor living with the protection, durability, and beauty of Sunbrella’s shade fabrics.

Awnings Are A Great Investment for Your Business

Your commercial storefront has the opportunity to attract attention to your brand and increase sales. Have you considered how you could improve this space? Having an awning installed on your business can make a huge impact. With the affordability of awnings, it makes good business sense to consider how this small business expense could benefit your brand and your business.

Protection

Awnings block harmful UV rays and rain. Your employees and customers will appreciate the cool shade and protection provided by an awning at your storefront, windows, or other outdoor spaces. As an added bonus, it will also decrease the cooling costs for your business, which is especially helpful during the warmest Florida months. Don’t let rain or heat keep your customers away!   

Curb Appeal

Awnings come in so many colors, patterns, and fabrics. If you choose to have an awning installed at your place of business, you can expect to find an option that looks beautiful and compliments both your business and your outdoor spaces. With the added outdoor space, you can even consider adding seating, plants, or additional lighting to take your curb appeal to the next level.

Brand Visibility

With all of the added curb appeal provided by your new awning, you are far more likely to generate the interest of potential customers. Your awning will allow you the opportunity to highlight your business logo and colors, creating a friendly and recognizable location for customers and clients. 

If you are interested in making this smart investment for your business, you can count on the expertise and customer service at Authority Home Solutions. We have been providing high-quality awning installation for over ten years in the Villages, Ocala, Gainesville, and surrounding areas. We would love to help you elevate your business space and increase your brand visibility. Contact us today with any questions you may have or to schedule your free demonstration.

Enjoying Your Outside Spaces Again

While Florida is known for its mild winters, occasionally mother nature will surprise us. This past weekend we had some of the coldest weather in years, with many counties on freeze and wind chill watches. On those cold days, you can still enjoy your outdoor spaces with the protection of your retractable awning. With a few adjustments, you can still be a warm host in chilly Florida weather! 

Patio Heaters

Patio heaters can warm you and your guests while you enjoy your outdoor spaces both day and night. When deciding what type of patio heater to purchase, first consider what type of fuel you would prefer to use. If you have a natural gas hookup, you can opt for a gas patio heater. If you would prefer propane your heater can be a bit more mobile. The safest choice for those who have children and pets would be an electric patio heater. Once you know the type of heater you would like to purchase, measure the space you would like to warm so that you can select a heater that works best for your patio size.

Fire Pit

Fire Pits near your patio area can be festive and warm. Just remember to place your fire pit 10 feet away from anything that is flammable. Avoid grassy surfaces, wood decks, or enclosed porches. To safely light your fire, avoid lighter fluid, gas, or kerosene. Don’t forget the marshmallows!

Grilling

When you are grilling food for you and your guests, avoid placing the grill in the middle of your patio’s awning cover. It is best to place it closer to the sides so that smoke can escape easily. Make sure that your awning is fire-resistant or coated in a flame-retardent. Fire-resistant materials consist of fibers that inherently won't melt or catch fire. Flame retardant fibers are coated with chemicals or a solution to make them nonflammable. 

Blankets and Sweaters

When you are entertaining outdoors, consider keeping a container or storage bench filled with warm throw blankets and sweaters. Your guests will love cozying up with a warm beverage and enjoying the beautiful outdoor space you have created under your awning. 

Are you and your family ready to invest in the high quality and durability of a SunSetter Awning and its accessories? If so, you can count on the unmatched installation and customer service provided by Authority Home Solutions. We are a locally owned and operated authorized SunSetter Awning provider proudly serving Ocala, the Villages, Gainesville, and the surrounding areas for over ten years. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation so you and your loved ones can start enjoying your outdoor spaces in 2022!

How to Safely Clean Your Fabric Awnings

Fabric awnings are a beautiful and affordable way to add to your home’s outdoor spaces. For a small investment, they can provide you and your family with protection and shade for many years to come. Authority Home Solutions’ quality retractable Sunsetter Awnings are water, mold, and UV resistant, so they require far less cleaning than their stationary counterparts. Occasionally, however, dirt, grease, bird droppings, insects, leaf tannins, or tree sap can collect on the topside or underside. To protect and extend the life of your fabric awning, we recommend that residential retractable awning owners clean their awnings at least once a year. Commercial awnings should be cleaned more frequently. There are professional cleaning services in the area, but if you choose to care for your awning on your own, we have a few tips to help you do this safely.

1. Always begin your awning cleaning by brushing or sweeping off all the debris and dust that may have settled on the topside. Make sure to clean any rain gutters that are directly above your awning as well.

2. We recommend using a mild, eco-friendly liquid soap and a soft-bristle brush to cleanse your fabric. If you choose to use a pressure washer, be sure to use the lowest setting possible so that you don’t damage your awning.

3. When cleaning the top side of your awning, begin at the bottom edge and work your way up using sweeping motions.

4. When rinsing the topside of your awning, rinse from top to bottom.

5. The underside of your awning could collect some grease if you frequently use a barbeque grill under it. The same mild grease-cutting soap that you used on the topside should do the trick on any grease residue.

6. Allow your awning to dry completely before you retract it.

In between cleanings, you can hose the topside of your awning, and use a broom to sweep the underside. It’s also a good idea to inspect your frames from time to time for signs of rusting.

If you are considering adding a beautiful awning to your residential or commercial space, you can count on Authority Home Solutions to provide you with the best customer service and quality products. For over ten years we have provided retractable awnings to Ocala, the Villages, Gainesville, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to schedule a free in-home demonstration. We look forward to helping you to become the next happy owner of a Sunsetter Retractable awning!

No Pool? No Problem!

Many Florida residents choose to stay indoors during the summer months to avoid extreme heat. With warm temperatures and high humidity, it doesn’t take long to get sweaty and overheated during the daytime hours. Homeowners with swimming pools have the luxury to cool off with a swim, but what about homes without a pool? Here are a few ways you can enjoy your outdoor spaces in the summer, even if you don’t have a pool.

Cooling Off and Staying Protected 

Hoses and Sprinklers aren’t just for kids! Try reliving some fond childhood memories by running or even lounging in the sprinklers or water hose. There are also hose attachments that create cooling water features easily. Just remember, even if the water is cooling, you still need plenty of sun protection. Opt for SPF 50 sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat to protect your skin from UV rays. If possible, you may even consider using sun protective clothing when you know you will be exposed to direct sunlight for an extended period of time. 

Hydration

While enjoying time outdoors, remember to stay extra hydrated. Keep a water bottle on hand and consider snacking on hydrating foods as well. Cold watermelon, berries, grapes, cucumber, pineapple, strawberries, and other produce with a high percentage of water content can be a delicious and refreshing way to stay hydrated. You can also infuse your drinks or make homemade popsicles with these foods. 

Make Your Own Shade

Having a shaded area in your yard and outdoor spaces can make a big difference in temperature. Oversized umbrellas can provide a small shade. For a large, shaded area at the touch of a button, consider investing in a retractable awning or EasyShades. Homeowners can create a comfortable, shaded area that is up to 20 degrees cooler and blocks 98% of the sun’s damaging UV rays. Retractable awnings extend out from a structure, while EasyShades go on the outside of your windows, doors, porches, or patios, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor spaces safely and comfortably.

Beat the Heat with Authority Home Solutions

At Awning Authority, we love helping home and business owners by creating outdoor spaces they can enjoy in comfort. For over ten years we have been providing residents in the Villages, Ocala, Leesburg, Gainesville, and the surrounding areas with storm protection, retractable awnings, and Easyshades. Contact us today for a free demonstration with Florida's #1 awning provider and installer, Authority Home Solutions.

Unexpected Florida Weather

Have you noticced the weather is changing here in Florida? Don't be caught outside in the blazing sun, enjoy a SunSetter Retractable Awning. You never know what to expect with the weather, so have peace of mind with a wind sensor that automatically retracts your awning in to protect it from wind damage.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to purchase a SunSetter retractable awning. Or if you are a current SunSetter awning customer and would like to purchase a windsensor, you can reach us at (352)351-3642.

The Villages Community, Central Florida Awning Company

Need help finding the perfect retractable awning model for your home. Discover all the features, sizes, fabric choices and more.

Learn why life is better under a SunSetter Retractable Awning in Central Florida. Are you located in The Villages Community, On Top of the World, Stone Creek, and other retirement communities? We are your local authorized awning dealer servicing your area for 14+ years.

Contact us today! (352)351-3642

Roof Mount Retractable Awning Installation

Authority Home Solutions an authorized SunSetter dealer has trained installers to do the most appropriate installation of a retractable awning. Not enough wall space, no problem we can mount your awning on the roof covered by a hood for protection. Ask about how we can install an awning on your manufactured home as well. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, (352)351-3642.

YES, WE ARE OPEN!

ENJOY YOUR STAYCATION under a beautiful SunSetter retractable awning. Immediate Delivery!

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, (352)351-3642

Stationary Awnings

Just another day in The Villages community providing shade for our customers. Did you know we offer stationary window awnings along with retractable awnings to match? Contact us today (352) 351-3642

Retractable Awning Special

Receive $200 off the purchase of a Retractable Awning

Authority Home Solutions is an authorized dealer for SunSetter awnings. SunSetter is America's #1 best selling awning. Enjoy this Florida weather under the shade of a motorized awning.

Terms and Conditions
Can not be combined with other offers. Previous sales excluded.

Bussiness as Usual with Percautions

To all Authority Home Solutions Customers or Future Customers:

First and foremost, we hope that you and your families are healthy and safe. I am writing to you as a member of our local community and the office manager of Authority Home Solutions. All of us have been overwhelmed with information regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). The health and safety of our employees and our customers are of utmost importance.  

Our team is here. We are working. Throughout all of our projects, safety continues as our top priority. We are taking guidance from the CDC, and other federal, state, and local authorities every day. When one of our design consultants, an installation team, or anyone from Authority Home Solutions comes to your home, know that we are taking appropriate steps, including social distancing, to ensure that we are all safe.

Our goal is to help you transform your home into the oasis you always dreamed it could be. Perhaps now, as all of us plan to spend more time in and around our homes, that goal is even more important. In addition to our internal safety precautions, you can also rest assured that whether you are interested in a retractable canopy, solar shades, or storm protection shades, it is manufactured or fabricated right here in the USA.

I know that together, our community will remain strong and healthy. On behalf of Authority Home Solutions and all of our families, we hope that you are well and look forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely,
Lydia Veith
Authority Home Solutions
(352)351-3642

Top Google Search

Authority Home Solutions a SunSetter Authorized dealer has ranked #1 on google searching for retractable awnings in Ocala and The Villages, Florida. We strive to serve all our customers with the highest quality products and services. During this health crisis we are always putting our customers as priority #1 and guarantee we will not put anyone in danger. We are striving to meet the expected delivery timeframe of our awning and shade deliveries. Just this week we have already installed 5 awnings. Contact us today to get a quote on a SunSetter awning and enjoy the outdoors while in recommendation of staying home.