Retractable awnings are very popular for sun and UV protection. Many people install them on their homes or businesses for use during the summer. But I’m often asked, “Do awnings protect from rain?” and “Can you use awnings in rainy weather?”.
The answer to these questions depends on whether you’re discussing light or heavy rain protection.
You don’t need to spend hours or days tracking down the best awnings for rain. Instead, take advantage of my over 40 years of experience and a continued passion for retractable awnings. Whether you’re ready to buy or just thinking about a new covering, check out my list of the best retractable awnings for rain.
The Best Awning Models and Brands for Rain
The best retractable patio awnings offer protection from the sun, heat, glare, UV rays, and light rain. It is essential to know the best retractable awning brands before purchasing an awning. I thoroughly researched the market in the USA and Canada to find the best retractable awnings for light rain.
I looked into different awning models from the best brands and compared them based on their characteristics, differences, pros, and cons. I selected the five best motorized retractable awnings for light rain, which two vendors offer.
The Best Retractable Awnings for Rain
- RetractableAwnings.com – Palermo Plus
- RetractableAwnings.com – Venezia
- RetractableAwnings.com – Roma
- Shadetree Canopies – Shan
- Shadetree Canopies – Svet
1. Palermo Plus
Palermo Plus is one of the most significant lateral arm awning models offered by RetractableAwnings.com. It is also one of the best retractable awnings for rain.
You can customize this model up to 52’6″ in width, 13’6″ projection, and 70° pitch. RetractableAwnings.com offers the Palermo model that allows for a projection greater than or equal to the width when using a cross-arm kit a/k/a and arm lowering kit.
This awning model features a high-quality 6063 aluminum frame and 316 marine-grade stainless steel assembly components. The Palermo Plus also features quality fabric brands, such as Para t, Dickson, Recasens, and Sunbrella. This awning features a TÜV Product Approved and CE Certified frame.
2. Venezia
Venezia is a state-of-the-art, fully enclosed light rain awning for decks and patios. This awning model’s largest size is up to 39’4″ in width, 13’2″ projection, and up to 40° pitch. For this manual or motorized model by RetractableAwnings.com, you can choose a fabric brand from Para, Dickson, Recasens, or Sunbrella.
The Venezia features a high-quality 6063 aluminum frame and 316 marine-grade stainless steel assembly hardware. It’s also TÜV Product Approved (Germany) and CE-certified (Europe), making it one of the best retractable awnings for rain.
3. Roma
Roma is another of the best awnings for rain. From RetractableAwnings.com, this retractable patio awning is available in sizes up to 39’4″ in width and 16′ projection (largest in the world) with a 45° pitch.
Like the previous model, Roma’s production materials include high-quality, non-rusting aluminum and stainless steel. This model offers the option to choose from four fabric brands. The Roma frame also received TÜV Product Approved and CE Certified distinctions.
4. Shan
Shan is a wall-mount-only motorized retractable awning offered by ShadeTree. The largest possible size is 23′ in width, up to 13’6″ projection, and an adjustable pitch up to 40°. Available fabric brands for this top-rated retractable rain awning are Para, Recacril, Sunbrella, and AirFlow MESH (not water resistant).
5. Svet
Svet is another retractable roll arm awning by ShadeTree, with a maximum width of 23′ and a 13’8″ projection. The pitch is adjustable up to 65°. Available fabrics are from, Recasens, Sunbrella, and AirFlow MESH (not water resistant).
Characteristics of the Best Retractable Awnings for Rain
Before discussing each model and brand’s light rain protection qualities, it is best to discuss their general features.
Attached and freestanding retractable pergolas have strong support structures, allowing for heavier fabrics, guides, tracks, or louver roofs that can handle heavy rain, intense storms, snow loads (louvered roofs only), and hail. Certain retractable outdoor awnings offer protection from light rain and drizzle with the right pitch and angle on the arms and fabric of an awning.
On the other hand, folding lateral arm awnings rely exclusively on their frames and extending spring-loaded lateral arms. These awnings don’t have extra support in the form of front posts and columns. Because of this lack of support, folding lateral arm awnings can’t handle heavy wind, heavy rain or accumulated loads such as snow.
Fabrics, pitch, and light rain protection
Although our best retractable awnings for rain offer different fabric brands (Para, Sunbrella, Recasens, Dickson, or AirFlow MESH), Para is the standard solution dyed acrylic fabric worldwide. RetractableAwnings.com and ShadeTree will send your awning with a Para Tempotest fabric if you don’t choose another brand. Now, let’s discuss the brand.
Para is an Italian brand that partners with Teflon™ to create their proprietary and unique Teflon™ Extreme finishing process for their Tempotest® fabrics. This finishing process involves bathing materials in Teflon™ Extreme surface treatment, protecting the fabric while repelling water and oil-based liquids. This treatment provides a barrier between fabrics and water, dirt, or dust. Sanitization applied during the finishing process prevents mold formation in case of water pooling.
Pooling is rainwater accumulation that happens when light rain cannot run off your awning due to an insufficient pitch/angle placed on the arms. This situation also happens when the awning fabric isn’t under enough tension, creating folds or rippling. A minimum pitch or slope of the retractable awning is essential for sufficient water runoff from light rain. The higher the pitch angle, the better and more efficient water runs off it. If you use your retractable roof in light rain conditions, adjust it to a more elevated pitch angle. Please note that folding lateral arm retractable awnings are not designed for heavy rain.
Differences Between the Top-Rated Awnings for Rain
All the above retractable awnings offer light rain, UV-ray, heat, sun and glare protection. These two vendors offer different fabric brands you can choose from, but a common similarity is that they both use Para Tempotest as a standard. This fabric comes with a ten-year warranty period.
You can purchase all models with manual or motorized operation, except for Shan, which only comes motorized. Another difference is the mounting options. With Palermo Plus, Venezia, Roma, and Svet models, you can use a wall, roof, beam, rafter, fascia, soffit, eave, or overhang. If you choose the Shan, you can only mount it on a wall.
Before choosing a product from our list of the best retractable awnings for rain, you’ll want to learn what makes these awnings different. The Palermo Plus offers the largest width. The Roma has the most significant projection size. The Palermo Plus and the Svet offer the highest pitch adjustment angles out of the five models.
| Size (width/projection) | Pitch angle | Operation | Mounting | Standard fabric | Fabric warranty | |
| Palermo Plus | 52’6”/13’6” | 0°- 70° | Manual and motorized | Wall, soffits, eaves, overhangs, roofs, sides of rafters or beams | Para Tempotest | 10 years |
| Venezia | 39’4”/13’2” | 0°- 40° | Manual and motorized | Wall, soffits, eaves, overhangs, roofs, sides of rafters or beams | Para Tempotest | 10 years |
| Roma | 39’4”/16’ | 0°- 45° | Manual and motorized | Wall, soffits, eaves, overhangs, roofs, sides of rafters or beams | Para Tempotest | 10 years |
| Shan | 23’/13’6” | 0°- 40° | Motorized only | Wall | Para Tempotest | 10 years |
| Svet | 23’/13’8” | 0°- 65° | Manual and motorized | Wall, soffits, eaves, overhangs, roofs, sides of rafters or beams | Para Tempotest | 10 years |
Pros and Cons of the Best Awning for Rain
The pros of the five best retractable awnings for rain are simultaneous rain and sun protection. You can enjoy these awnings in the blazing summer sun and during light rain drizzles in the spring or summer.
These canopies protect your furniture and deck from getting wet and moldy. Another great benefit of the best retractable rain awnings is their ability to retract. These awnings also let you adjust their pitch at any time. Increase your awning’s pitch if you want to use it during light rain. If a more significant storm and heavy rain approaches, retract the awning back to safety.
A downside of these awnings might be their higher initial prices since they offer a 100% solution-dyed acrylic fabric combined with a protective finishing coating. These materials last longer, offer rain protection, repel oil stains, and don’t create mold. The previously mentioned qualities increase an awning’s lifespan, allowing you to enjoy your purchase for many years.
What’s the Best Retractable Rain Awning for Me and Why?
The previously mentioned awnings are high-quality products for sun, glare, heat, UV-ray, and light rain protection. These awnings also don’t stain easily and are mold-resistant. From a quality standpoint, the three models from RetractableAwnings.com are your best options. Plus, this company offers the best non-prorated 25-year warranty in the awning industry.
Choosing the best retractable awning for light rain means considering your individual needs. What kind of area do you want to cover? How much space do you have for mounting, mount types, width, and projection? Do you want a manual or motorized awning? What is your budget? Answering these questions helps you make the right choice and enjoy your awning for many years.