Best Retractable Awnings for Homes

Retractable awnings are appropriate not only for commercial use but also for homeowners. Awnings for homes cover your backyard, deck, patio, hot tub or balcony to create a perfectly tailored shading solution for your house.

Definition and Characteristics

Home retractable awnings are mainly produced for residential purposes. Homeowners benefit from awnings for homes and can choose from different sizes, shapes, installation types, frames, fabric colors, fabric types and models. They act as an extension of the house, covering your patio, deck, balcony, terrace, doorway, windows or simply your outdoor furniture and rugs.

The main types of extendable awnings are:

• Folding arm awnings and folding slide on wire canopies
• Retractable fabric pergola roof covers retractable drop arm or side arm awnings
• Retractable screens
• Retractable canopies
• Retractable and rotating louvered roof pergolas 

You can choose between a manual awning or a motorized awning. The mechanism allows retracting or extending the canopy to any point of its projection via a detachable hand crank (manual), a wall switch, a remote control, a timer or a smartphone/tablet app (motorized/electric). 

You can fully retract a folding lateral arm awning into its cassette or under its hood/cover when a storm approaches or if you expect high wind, heavy rain or hail. A full cassette is a case or covering into which the fabric rolls back to stay completely protected from the elements, small animals and debris. 

In this sense, there are three types of folding arm retractable exterior awnings:

• Full-cassette (complete coverage of the entire awning)
• Semi-cassette (part of the fabric is covered when retracted)
• Open (there is no cassette to protect the fabric)

The primary purpose of retractable sun awnings is to create shade that can protect you from UV rays, glare, and heat. Some home awning manufacturers use water-resistant fabric, which can help shed LIGHT rain off the front of the awning as long as a minimum pitch is placed on the arms. Retractable awnings, regardless of who they are purchased from or what fabric type is used, are not designed for HEAVY rain.

If you are interested in retractable house awnings, you need to consider the following:

• What kind of area do you want to cover? (deck, patio, RV, camper, window, door, hot tub, gazebo, etc.)
• Do you need it to handle the snow load when extended? If so, a retractable awning cannot be used. Other product types exist for snow load.
• Where do you want to install it? (wall, soffit, beam, fascia, rafter, roof, etc.)
• How much wind can it withstand when partially or fully extended?
• Do you need it to be water-resistant or waterproof? Do you need to use it in heavy or light rain?
• What size (width/projection) is suitable for your residence? (side to side and back to front).

Production Materials

The best awnings for homes can be made of different raw materials, depending on your general preference for size and function.

It’s strong yet lightweight, and it can withstand lots of pressure. For attached or freestanding pergolas, manufacturers typically use wood, steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, vinyl, or a combination of fiberglass and metal. 

Fabric covers are another essential component of retractable home awnings. It is important to consider if you need the awning to protect you from the sun and light or heavy rain.

Vendors often sell outdoor awnings for decks with fabric covers made of:

• Vinyl-laminated/vinyl-coated/acrylic-coated polyester
• Solution-dyed acrylic/modacrylic
• Painted polyester/cotton/duck/canvas

Benefits and Advantages

Patio retractable awnings are a great way to expand your usable area to the outdoors without investing a fortune. You can easily have a wall-mounted model or anchor a freestanding model to an upside-down V-shaped structure that attaches to the ground. It protects you, your family, and your furniture from the elements. 

Depending on the model and fabric you choose, the best home awnings for patios, decks, windows and doors will reject the heat and glare during summer and resist light rainwater during rainy seasons. The heat rejection effect reduces electricity costs related to temperature management.

Home awnings come in various sizes, widths, and projections, allowing you to customize your shading solution fully. You can also choose the fabric’s solid color, stripes, texture, valance height and shape to beautify your backyard. 

Choosing a full-cassette awning with a powder coating color similar to the mounting surface will make the retractable porch canopy practically invisible and protected at all times.

Who Are They Appropriate For?

The best home awnings are appropriate for any residential homeowner who wants to add style and functionality to their outdoor living space. They create an enjoyable outdoor space to use as a dining or game zone for anyone with a backyard, deck, patio, or balcony. 

For example, a retractable balcony awning would be the perfect shade solution for people who live in apartment buildings or condominiums and want to enjoy their morning coffee without the sun’s blazing heat.

Why Retractable Awnings Reviews?

Investing in a high-quality retractable home awning can be a big step. I understand that not every homeowner knows enough about the industry and what product is good to invest in. In addition, I notice a lot of misinformation online driven by the thought of creating a good marketing campaign. All of the above provoked me to use my 40+ years in the retractable awning industry and create an online hub where you can find all the necessary, correct, and unbiased information you need for your purchase.

At RetractableAwningsReviews.com, you have all the details about your home retractable awning at your disposal, and you can directly compare products based on unbiased customer reviews.

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