Buying an awning is one of the best investments you can make for your home or business outdoor living space. There are many pros and cons of retractable awnings, but they all depend on the particular model, the size, fabrics, production material (components), features and more.
It’s also essential to consider what time of the year is the most beneficial and suitable for the purchase and installation.
Today’s blog post will answer the question “Are retractable awnings worth it?” and highlight the main reasons to buy outdoor retractable awnings before spring.
Health Benefits of Outdoor Retractable Awnings
One of the main reasons to buy outdoor retractable awnings before spring is the health benefits for all people who use them. With the beginning of spring, the sun’s strength and UV rays intensify, potentially leading to various skin problems.
In addition, spring leads to different allergy triggers such as pollen, flowers and more. But let’s look into the specific retractable awnings’ health benefits.
Retractable awnings provide sun and UV-ray protection
Mounting a retractable awning to cover your backyard deck, patio or your outdoor business areas protects your family, friends or customers from damaging UV rays and prevents sun-induced skin damage. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using particular awnings vendors and fabric production brands that meet specific criteria for sun protection.
With a retractable awning, you can enjoy warm sunny days and be protected without applying sunscreen. In addition, it can reduce the temperature of the shaded area by up to 20°F, thus protecting your health.
Retractable awnings help with allergies
Although retractable awnings cannot help with an already triggered allergy reaction, they can help in preventing one. When trees, grass, flowers and weeds start releasing pollen and other allergens in springtime, they trigger allergy symptoms and reactions in people.
Usually, pollen for example is transferred by the wind, so installing a retractable awning can help you and other people in springtime. Except for the roof-like structure above your head, you can add drop screens or long valances to enclose further and protect the outdoor space.
Retractable awnings help in reducing stress levels
While it might sound far-fetched, retractable awnings can help in reducing stress levels. The outdoor installations allow people to enjoy the fresh air in the comfort of their own homes (especially during Covid-19), increase their backyard privacy and create a relaxation zone suitable for unwinding or entertainment activities.
Creating such a key safe area in your house helps reduce stress caused by everyday tasks.
Outdoor Retractable Awnings Protect Your Home
Sun Protection
Outdoor retractable installations, such as a retractable awning attached to a roof, have many benefits regarding your home protection. First off, they preserve your outdoor and indoor furnishings from fading and deteriorating due to excessive sun exposure.
When extended, an awning creates a shadow over your outdoor furniture, flooring, couches, carpets, or chairs near the windows. Installing an awning reduces the deterioration process, and the colors and fabrics will last longer. Adjusting the awning angle can change the shaded amount and coverage area.
Water Protection
In addition to preserving your indoor and outdoor decor from sunlight, awnings can do the same with water. For example, if you choose to invest in roof-mounted retractable awnings without any additional support, the chances are that the fabric cover used is water-resistant. In that case, you can use the structure in light rain. On the other hand, if you want to buy retractable awnings that are entirely waterproof, it’s best to invest in pergola structures that can withstand heavy rain and stay extended at all times.
Protecting your home is another reason to buy outdoor retractable awnings before spring.
How Do Outdoor Retractable Awnings Help Reduce Energy Bills?
The installation of retractable awnings, especially ones attached to your house, can significantly reduce your energy bills during the summer months due to the shade they provide. If you choose a wall-mounted, soffit/eave/overhang or roof-mounted awning, you will create shade not only for the outdoor area but also for the windows, sliding doors, french doors and the indoor area it covers.
This way you benefit from less air-conditioning usage, thus reducing the electricity bill. The retractable mechanism, opposite to non-retractable or fixed/permanent awnings, allows you to retract the fabric and frame back and let sun rays in during the winter months, which also helps in warming up the house or business thus reducing your heating bill.
Outdoor Retractable Awnings Increase Your Living Space
Prepare for the upcoming warm months and barbeque season by buying and installing an outdoor retractable awning for your home or business! By doing so before spring’s arrival, you get to enjoy every free day and warm morning or afternoon.
A retractable awning for your patio, deck or other entertainment areas will increase your living space by expanding the functional outdoor area and making it usable even during blazing hot days or light rain conditions. You can easily create outdoor dining areas, shelter for poolside activities, entertainment zones, child-friendly play areas, etc.
Instead of investing in a fixed or permanent awning for the patio or deck, you can choose a retractable mechanism (either manual or motorized) and open or close up the outdoor area whenever you wish. Retractable awnings are the best way to expand your functional area and add protection and privacy without building a permanent structure.
Beautiful Design to Your Yard with Outdoor Awnings
With the warmer months coming around the corner, more and more people start going out and taking long walks to enjoy the weather. These can be your neighbors, friends, potential customers or even property buyers.
Installing a retractable awning over windows, yards, patios, and decks improves overall property appearance. With thousands of colors, patterns and additional improvements, you certainly have an excellent opportunity to beautify your design. You can choose any style you want to complete or complement your current architectural looks or existing decor, which will lead to a better-looking exterior.
A better-looking exterior immediately increases property value and helps homeowners and real estate agents grab buyers’ attention and make a quick sell. Business owners can benefit from interested passersby, vehicle traffic and therefore attract new customers into the comfort of their stylish and protected outdoor area.
