There’s nothing like a weekend at the cottage to throw your cares to the wind and embrace everything that summer has to offer… that is until mother nature gives us more than we’ve bargained for.
Rain, tree droppings, and even the sun’s rays can be too much, which is why a cantilevered awning is a great addition to any boathouse, dock, or deck.
“Cantilevered awnings offer the same advantages as a traditional boat port, with the reduced footprint of an awning,” says Aquadome’s sales and marketing coordinator, Carly Caines. Aquadome is Muskoka’s leading boat awning manufacturer, specializing in aluminum frame shelters fitted with marine-grade fabric covers.
The cantilevered awnings can be used on a deck or dock to cover seating areas, and they are an ideal solution for docks and boat ports.
“Whether you’re tired of fiddling with a boat cover, or are sick of cleaning pine tree droppings off your boat, a cantilevered awning is a great solution.”
The awnings are tailor-made for each location, and come in a wide range of colours, and finishes. Frames can be traditional raw aluminum or powdered-coated in white or black, and customers have a choice of 20 different fabric colours.
“All our fabrics are marine-grade, and acrylic-coated to resist fading as well as mould and mildew buildup,” says Carly.

This year, black and gray awnings have been hot sellers. But Carly says each colour has its advantages.
“Green, blue, and brown are great because they blend in with the environment. White, black, and navy are perfect for blending your awning with your existing cottage structures, including your boathouse and bunkies. And brighter hues like red and purple are excellent if you want to have a pop of colour, or maybe match the Muskoka chairs.”
Awnings can also be customized with a range of add-on packages, like side panels that can be secured with metal grommets or velcro tabs to protect against late afternoon sun and windswept debris.
While the cantilevered awning design is tall enough to cover most of the boats on Muskoka’s lakes, Carly says it can be extended to fit boats with large wakeboard towers and other attachments.
Aquadome can also customize your awning to cover boats with long hulls. “We can accommodate most desired lengths,” says Carly.
Each awning is custom-made, and can be ready in as little as three to four weeks and installed by their skilled technicians in a single afternoon.
“Call to book an onsite consultation,” says Carly. “We’ll measure, give you a quote, and help you design the perfect awning for your prope
TEXT SHELANNE AUGUSTINE | PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN