Are you considering installing an awning on your home, restaurant, hotel, cafe, or other type of outdoor living space? You probably have a vision of what you want it to look like and where exactly you will install it.
However, before you start choosing, I advise you to get acquainted with the different types of awnings and some of the main features to make sure you select the right awning for your home or business.
What are the Different Retractable Awning Types?
Knowing the types of covers and their specifications is essential when choosing an awning. That way, you will be able to make an informed decision about which is the best product for your outdoor space.
Pergola Awnings
I often observe how people are not familiar with this type of awning. The pergola dramatically improves the exterior, serving as a shade and decorative improvement.
The pergola awnings are usually large, open outdoor structures suitable for homes and businesses. This product can be freestanding or attached to a building and have elements such as posts/columns, beams, and rafters to support and shelter an area outside.
In addition, some versions can be waterproof, withstand extreme winds and rains such as storms and hail, but it depends on the chosen model, fabric, and product size.
That is an excellent feature of the pergola, as it provides sun protection and rain protection. The wide variety of designs, colors, styles, and fabrics allows businesses and homeowners to find the perfect pergola.
Conservatory Awnings
Conservatory awnings are also a significant investment. They are an excellent addition to your conservatory, protecting from the intense sun exposure on spring and hot summer days and isolating the cold in winter. This way, you expand the space, whether for your home or business.
The conservatory awnings are available in various designs, colors, and sizes so that you get the perfect product according to your personal preferences. And last but not least, for greater convenience, the conservatory awnings can be extended and retracted with remote control, a wall switch, a timer or by using a smartphone or tablet, which makes life simple as they are easy to open and close.
Vertical Awnings
Vertical awnings are a perfect choice if you want to add more shade. We include the side/drop arm retractable awnings and retractable screens to the vertical awnings category.
These products are an excellent solution for any home or business owner, as they help you control the glare and light inside the building and reduce temperatures during the long hot summer days.
The side/drop arm retractable awnings are suitable for small areas such as a window or door. They offer the perfect shady oasis which will protect you from the hot sun rays, and you can completely customize this product according to your exact requirements.
In this way, the side /drop arm retractable awnings not only protect from the harmful UV rays but are also a fantastic addition to the exterior of the building.
On the other hand, retractable screens are flexible products that can retract and roll up into the optional housing (cassette box). They can be attached to a window or around the windows on a French door, and the sides of gazebos and pergolas.
This type of awning is practical and convenient to use. Their installation is effortless, and their design is simple to fit perfectly into any interior and exterior.
Domestic and Commercial Awnings
Awnings can be divided into domestic (residential) and commercial awnings. That means that this product is suitable for both your home and business. Very often among the clients there are architects, interior and exterior designers, nightclubs, pubs, cafes, hotels, restaurants, clubhouses etc.
It is crucial to specify the awning’s purpose, as both have their specifics. The domestic and commercial awnings can vary in size, materials, fabric, design, and colors. In addition, it is essential whether they will be freestanding awnings or attached awnings, and, accordingly, what type of mounting surface the product will be attached to.
Full Cassette Awning
Retractable awnings are also divided according to the type of cassette. It plays a crucial role as it is responsible for the protection it will provide you. In this regard, the full cassette awning offers the highest level of protection from rain, wind, frost, snow, and dirt.
What characterizes it is that the fabric and arms are all stored away inside a built-in casing when the awning is retracted.
Semi Cassette Awning
The semi cassette awnings are a product that also provides some protection, but not as much as the full cassette awning. They are partially enclosed from above and sides, but the underside remains visible when retracted. However, this does not affect light rain or light wind protection.
Open Awning
The open awnings do not have a cassette. Instead, they are usually available with an optional hood cover. These products are suitable for outdoors. They are perfect for light protection during spring and sunny summer days. The open awnings do protect against light wind, and lightrain, but not any amount of snow, so you need to be careful when using them.
Operation Types
Another feature of retractable awnings that is part of the specifications to look out for is the operation type.
Thus, retractable awnings can be controlled using several types of operation, namely:
- Manual—manual retractable awnings can be easily controlled. You need to use a detachable hand crank to retract and extend the awning. This awning is usually chosen when no electricity supply is near the product.
- Motorized—motorized awnings are one of the most preferred. The reason for this is simple – they are easy to use. You can operate your awning via a wall switch, remote-control, smartphone or tablet.
- Remote Control—more and more customers are looking for remote control awnings. To me, this is no surprise, as it provides the most fantastic possible convenience.
- Sensors—sensor triggered awnings are the best option because they can have wind, rain, and sun sensors. Thus, at sunrise the sun sensor will extend the awning or at a sense of wind (it can be adjusted easily), the wind sensor will retract the awning so it is not damaged by high wind.
Each of the awnings methods of operation described above has its advantages, as they are designed for different purposes.
Whatever product you choose, I also advise you to pay attention to:
- Type of area in which you want to install awnings—door, window, patio, deck, etc.;
- Type of mounting surface—fascia, floor, roof, rafter, soffit/eave/overhang, or wall mounted;
- Size of the retractable awning—what the width and projection will be?
- Fabric—pay special attention to whether it is waterproof or water-resistant and keep in mind that thicker fabric, is not always the strongest fabric.
- The purpose of use—residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional;
- Attached or freestanding;
- Design, colors, and style.
Last but not least, research every company that offers manufacturing, distribution, and installation of retractable awnings. It must have the necessary experience and knowledge and provide high-quality products. Once you have chosen the best company, based on online reviews, I recommend that you consult with them about the right choice of awning for your home or business.