There are a variety of awning types out on the market today: the window awning, car and retractable awnings. Whatever type of awning you choose, you will be investing in a useful patio, window, or RV accessory that not only provides you with shade and protection against the weather, but which will also add to the décor of your outdoor space. There are two general categories of awnings: stationary and retractable.
Retractable awnings are great if you want a structure that is able to block the sun without permanently changing the setup of your patio, house exterior or RV and/or installing obstructive support poles. Retractable awnings are mounted directly to the house and can be expanded over an attached patio or window; they easily fold away into a convenient housing mechanism and are well concealed, avoiding the sometimes excessive encumbrance of support beams and other support structures characteristic of permanent covers for a patio or RV. Awnings, retractable ones especially, are more often than not more affordable alternatives for protecting outdoor spaces compared to permanent structures.
Retractable awnings are most often made with durable fabric available in a wide variety of patterns and colors. You can have a retractable awning custom made to fit virtually any patio’s length and width. In this way, you are sure to find the awning perfect for your own personal needs and tastes.
Within the retractable awning category, there is a further distinction into manually retractable awnings and motorized, or electronic, retractable awnings. The first are obviously manual and must be open and closed by way of a crank or handle, similar to a patio table umbrella. A motorized retractable awning is instead automatic and either works with a remote control or via an outdoor switch. The mechanical housing units of these awnings are often made of durable galvanized steel and are directly attached under the gutter of your house.
It’s up to your whether to completely or partially extend your awning. Retractable awnings that are electronically adjustable are preferred by some homeowners, while others are perfectly happy with the manual ones. As mentioned, some electronic awnings can be installed with remote controls; the majority, instead, come with manual override features so that you can still deal with your awning even in the case of problems with the power. Experts have stated that you should consider an electronically adjustable retractable awning only if you are sure to have an electrical outlet available outside. Wiring the awning from inside could cause problems, as a licensed electrician will be needed to install everything, which obviously will cause the cost of the whole process to increase.
The fabric of retractable awnings sits on cross members that glide along overhead tracks on rollers. The ride is smooth and, indeed, these awnings can be extended and retracted in a matter of seconds with little effort. In this way, awnings can be unfurled to protect from excessive sun and heat, but also retracted if you’d like to work on your tan or let in some extra light on cloudy days.
Electronic awnings are even easier, obviously, working at the push of a button. This comfort, though, has a price and electronic awnings are more expensive than manually retractable awnings. Not all electronic retractable awning prices are the same, however, and the range of costs depends on the models, accessories and size of the particular awning, i.e. whether you’re talking about retractable window awnings or a retractable patio awning. The same holds true for manual awnings, but the price range is lower.
While retractable awnings have some significant advantages, they cannot assume the function of completely protecting your outdoor furniture as well as permanent covers can. Indeed, while retractable awnings may be left out during periods of spring and summer showers, you should not leave them extended in conditions of high wind, hail, or other severe weather; indeed the fabric can be damaged under these conditions. Therefore, these awnings should be considered a way to make sure outdoor furniture and fabrics do not suffer excessive sun damage, as well as a way to maximize use of your patio space in varied, though mild, conditions.
You can find retractable awnings at a wide variety of retail stores and at your local home improvement and garden center. You can also find a wide variety of awnings on the net; indeed, often the selection on the Internet is much more varied than anything you can find at a local store. You can even have exotic models shipped from overseas. Make sure you ask about installation services when ordering your retractable awnings, especially if you don’t feel comfortable doing this yourself; you could always ask retractable awning manufacturers directly about installation services and/or how to install awnings yourself.
