Retractable awnings are the modern version of traditional fixed awnings and present countless benefits for those who decide to invest. Installing window awnings or a retractable patio awning is always an excellent idea for any household, increases functional outdoor space square footage and protects people and furniture from sun exposure and harmful UV rays.
The above is common knowledge since more and more people are concerned about energy efficiency and are starting to think of alternative ways of weather protection. However, today we’ll go into more detail about the reasons to buy a retractable awning for your home, the product’s pros and cons, installation methods and how to find a reputable company.
Reasons to add a retractable awning to your home.
Most homeowners make careful purchasing decisions as they don’t have unlimited financial resources. And since the initial cost of a quality retractable awning can be higher than one would hope for it, it’s essential to have solid reasons and knowledge before making the final decision.
You want to add shade and UV ray protection
Owning a house with an outdoor area such as a backyard, deck, or patio has its benefits. Sunny days are lovely and enjoyable for family, friends and pets. However, such open areas are often not protected from sun glare and harmful UV rays.
More often than not, people who own houses with open outdoor spaces spend the scorching summer days hiding inside, waiting for cooler weather so they can start going out. If you are one of those people, you might want to add shade and protect your family and friends from sun glare and UV rays, which is more than an adequate reason to install an awning.
You want to gain better heat protection
Heat protection is probably the most common reason homeowners invest in retractable awnings. High-quality fabric awnings provide shade to your outdoor living space and can significantly reduce patio or deck temperatures by the impressive 20℃. Subsequently, indoor areas cool down as the rooms don’t get direct sunlight.
You want to spend more time outdoors
Did you recognize yourself in the paragraphs above? If you own a property with a beautiful outdoor space, you probably want to increase your family’s time spent outdoors. A retractable awning can help you achieve that by providing shade and sun protection for you and your closest people, allowing you to unfold your property’s complete potential.
You don’t want to build a permanent structure
Another possible reason to invest in a retractable awning for your home might be that you don’t want to build a permanent structure such as a fixed awning or a roof.
Maybe you still haven’t decided if you want to make further improvements and renovations at your residence, and you want to keep your options open. Or perhaps you don’t want to go through the hassle of purchasing building materials and hiring professional contractors to construct a permanent structure.
A retractable awning can be a great investment for you as it has a semi-permanent structure and is easy to install.
You want to protect your outdoor furniture
Do you own a patio full of comfortable soft patio furniture and are looking for ways to preserve it for longer? Or maybe you want to enhance the area with fancy sofas, dining tables and chair sets, but you are on hold because you don’t want to ruin them by placing them outdoors?
That should no longer bother you, as retractable patio awnings protect your outdoor furniture from the harsh sun and help you preserve it for longer. Not only that, but they also protect your indoor furniture, blocking direct sunlight and preventing discoloration, fading and drying out. Your exterior and interior furnishings will be safe from harmful ultraviolet rays.
You want to create a functional outdoor zone
Do you want to turn your unusable outdoor space into a functional outdoor zone and a favorite place for everyone? After all, who wants to spend the whole day inside the house hiding from the sun during everyone’s favorite summertime or ditch a fun afternoon because of a bit of drizzle?
With a retractable awning, your wish is easier than ever to come true. You can seamlessly transition your indoor area towards the outdoors and create an easy-to-access relaxation or entertainment living space, sheltered from the sun and heat. You can enjoy a beverage in the fresh outdoor air without sunburning by the blazing sun.
Quality water-resistant fabric will enable you to extend your awning and enjoy your patio even on days with light rain, as it can handle a drizzle. You won’t have to cancel your barbeque gathering because of the forecast. However, if you want heavy rain and extreme weather protection, a retractable pergola might be the solution you are seeking for.
What are the pros and cons of owning a retractable awning?
After discussing the common reasons people have to buy retractable awnings, it’s time to go into detail about the pros and cons of this shading solution. As with every product, observing both advantages and disadvantages is natural.
However, as long as you’ve set your goals clearly and conducted proper research, you can rest assured that you’ll make a good investment.
Pros
You can adjust it anytime you want
One of the most significant advantages of retractable awnings is that you can retract and extend them to any point of their projection you wish. This opportunity creates a fully customizable shading solution for your home, which you can adjust whenever you see fit.
The adjustability factor plays a huge role in your ability to use your awning year-round, creating shade during summer and letting sunshine throughout the winter. It’s also an excellent opportunity to avoid weather damage caused by strong winds or heavy snowfall, which leads to a longer lifespan.
Improves your home’s exterior appearance
A retractable awning’s fabric can come in countless solid color and stripe variations, patterns and valance options. You can order a fully custom solution for your household and create a superior exterior appearance.
Such an opportunity is especially beneficial for homeowners trying to sell their homes. Improving curb appeal attracts potential buyers as it looks stylish and naturally draws the eye to the property. Passerbys can easily notice the beautiful and inviting outdoor design and decide to go inside and take a look around.
It helps you save on energy bills
Bills can significantly increase during the summer when turning the air conditioner on and cooling the house is inevitable. A retractable awning is a great way to save money from energy costs as it can significantly reduce outdoor and indoor temperatures by blocking direct sunlight.
Possibility for automation
Manual awnings can easily fold with minimal effort, thanks to a detachable hand crank. However, they cannot automatically retract as motorized awnings can. Not only can you control motorized models through mobile apps and remote controls, but you can also install additional weather sensors.
Weather sensors detect pressure and movements as preset indications of bad weather conditions such as high winds. Such technology is beneficial when you’re away from home and missed checking the forecast. Once the weather begins to worsen, the awning will automatically retract.
It’s easy to install
The best part is that you don’t have to build a permanent roof structure to achieve all of that. All you need to do is choose an appropriate model for your individual needs and invest in the best awning company.
The awning installation process is quick, and you don’t need to do it yourself: you can call a professional installation company to do it instead of you.
Cons
It’s not suitable for heavy rain
When speaking of retractable awnings, we should emphasize that they cannot handle inclement weather like heavy rain storms. However, water-resistant solution-dyed acrylic fabrics can withstand light rain and drizzle. If you want heavy rain, snow and hail protection, you might want to invest your money in a patio pergola cover.
It requires a more significant investment
You’ve seen retractable awning models that seem too low-priced for their size, design or production materials. Always remember that the price is directly proportional to the product’s quality. So, it’s probably not the best quality if you see a suspiciously cheap model.
Keeping that in mind, high-quality patio awnings are a bit more expensive and might seem like a significant investment to some. Suppose you buy your model from a reliable manufacturer and vendor who use only the best production materials. In that case, you can rest assured that your investment will pay off and last a long time.
Motorized awnings
Motorized awnings offer more facilitated operational control and are preferred over manual tops, especially when they need to cover a larger portion of land. Such models can be controlled by a wall switch, remote control or a mobile app. You can additionally equip them with weather sensors which help automate retraction.
However, electrical parts such as motors, remote controls, sensors, lighting, music and others come with an additional cost which you need to be prepared for if you are interested in purchasing a motorized awning. Automated models also generate higher electricity costs.
Repairs and maintenance
Replacement or repair of some of the components of a retractable awning can also be costly due to their mechanical nature and moving parts. The same goes for retractable awning fabric replacement. Although high-quality fabrics used for canopies come with at least a 5-year warranty, they are still prone to natural wear and tear throughout years of use.
How do you install it?
You can install a retractable awning at your home using a do-it-yourself method if you have skillful hands and experience in construction projects. The vendor you purchase from will send you manual installation instructions, which will help and guide you throughout the process.
However, I strongly recommend choosing a vendor who includes installation costs and sending a professional installation company in his offer. Professional services guarantee proper mounting and installation, which will help you use your warranty period. If your vendor doesn’t include installation services, you can contact a local installer and request an offer.
What to consider when buying an awning for your home?
As with every other substantial investment, you should consider a few factors before purchasing a retractable awning for your home.
What materials is the model made of?
The production materials of an awning are an essential consideration before purchasing the model. Avoid buying shelters made of poor-quality Chinese materials to get a more budget-friendly shading solution.
In the end, such a product will be more expensive, as you’ll need to replace parts often, change the fabric due to rapid discoloration and sometimes even purchase an entirely new awning. Low-quality materials often come with a very short warranty period.
Another thing to avoid is purchasing products from vendors and manufacturers that are not explicit about their materials. If you notice any lack of information on the ad or the website you’re visiting, try to refrain from falling into this trap.
Weather conditions, size and individual needs
Make sure you know what you need the awning for. What size is the area you want to cover? Where can you mount it (soffit, roof, wall, etc.)? What is your budget? In what weather conditions are you planning to use it? Do you want to have automation options?
All of the above are individual needs that are rarely the same between two households. That being said, list your requirements so you can find the perfect retractable awning for your home.
Which companies offer the best options?
In order to find a reputable company to purchase a retractable awning from, it’s essential to conduct thorough research and read reviews from people who have already invested their time and money. I’ve tried to do this instead of you, and you can find all the necessary information on Retractable Awnings Reviews.
To summarize my findings so far, Retractableawnings.com is one of the best manufacturers and vendors you can find online. Not only do they use high-quality materials and produce fabulous models, but they also have excellent reviews left by their customers.
Conclusion
Retractable awnings are a great addition to any household and offer countless benefits for anyone willing to invest. Depending on individual needs, people have different reasons for making such a purchase.
It’s essential to consider various factors, including weather conditions, installation method, budget and others, to make the right choice for you and guarantee a life-long comfort and enjoyable outdoor space.