Before you buy a retractable awning, it’s usual that the question of are retractable awnings a good idea will pop into your mind.
Retractable awnings are a beautiful welcome improvement on almost any property. Practically every design and color can blend with the house, adding to the curb appeal. Given the ease of use and long-term benefits, retractable awnings are a clever purchase for homeowners wanting to improve both functionality and aesthetics.
However, we won’t let you settle for less. So, let’s get to know more about these awnings to make your choice more confident!
What Are Retractable Awnings?
Retractable awnings are outdoor coverings designed to provide shade and protection from elements like sun and rain. Unlike fixed awnings, these can be extended or retracted when needed, which offers flexibility based on any scenario.
They are typically installed over patios, decks, windows, or doors and come in various designs, materials, and colors to suit different architectural styles.
These awnings can be operated manually using a crank or a motorized system controlled by an electrical system.
High-quality retractable awnings use durable materials, such as UV-resistant fabrics and robust aluminum or steel frames, to ensure longevity even in challenging weather conditions.
A key feature of retractable awnings is their dual functionality. When extended, they create a shaded, comfortable outdoor space for people to relax and host parties.
When retracted, they preserve open views and prevent wear and tear during harsh weather. Their adaptability makes them popular for people who want to improve their outdoor living areas without any permanent installations.
Whether entertaining guests, lounging outdoors, or seeking to lower cooling costs, retractable awnings offer a practical and stylish solution for any occasion.
Pros And Cons Of Retractable Awnings
Let’s now explore the pros and cons of the retractable awnings so you can decide whether they’re worth it!
Pros:
- It is flexible and convenient
- Energy efficient
- Protects from unstable weather scenarios
- Increases the value of your property
- You get more for what you invest
- Low maintenance
- Easy to Operate
- Keeps the surroundings cool
Cons:
- Expensive
- It is not ideal for certain weather
- May need occasional repairs
Are Retractable Awnings a Good Idea? Key Benefits & Drawbacks
Retractable awnings are worth considering for homeowners looking to improve their outdoor space. They provide ultimate comfort, help reduce energy bills, and add charm to your usual aesthetic.
If you have a home with a big backyard or patio, getting an awning can be a great investment.
Although it may be expensive, you might hesitate to get it. However, its ROI beats the initial investment. With one purchase, you’ll have lifetime coverage for your weather problems. No more soaking in the rain or dealing with the sun. How cool is that?
Additionally, the energy savings and comfort it provides justify investing in a retractable awning.
Benefits Of Retractable Awnings
Retractable awnings come in handy in many places and scenarios. The number of benefits it offers is endless! Here are some we’re listing down below:
Customizable Shade
Retractable awnings allow you to adjust the shade as needed. When the sun is out, you can pull the awning out to create a shady spot perfect for chilling outside or keeping your house cool.
On cooler days or when the sky is gray, you can roll it back up to let in more light or see the open sky.
This way, you can set up your outdoor and indoor areas just how you want them, making sure you’re comfy no matter the season.
UV Protection
Retractable awnings are a barrier against harmful ultraviolet rays, which can damage skin and fade furniture, flooring, and artwork. These awnings provide an SPF-like shield, letting you enjoy outdoor spaces. It can block up to 94% of UV exposure!
The fabric’s UV-resistant properties also prevent early wear, making sure long-lasting protection for you, your family, and your outdoor belongings.
Energy Efficiency
Retractable awnings block direct sunlight, reducing heat entering your home through windows and doors. This lowers indoor temperatures and cuts air conditioning use, saving energy and money on utility bills.
Over time, these savings can offset the awning’s initial cost, making it an eco-friendly and cost-effective investment for homeowners who want to reduce their carbon footprint.
Outdoor Comfort
Retractable awnings provide shade and comfort for outdoor activities. You can host a barbeque, enjoy a meal, or read a book while staying safe from excess heat or sudden rain.
This makes your outdoor area more flexible, allowing you to use it in different weather and seasons.
Aesthetic Appeal
Retractable awnings come in many designs, colors, and fabrics, making your home look better. They also give patios, decks, and balconies a neat appearance and complement different types of buildings, from modern to old-fashioned.
You can choose from many options to ensure that your awning matches your taste and enhances your home’s street view. Furthermore, you can pick different fabrics and set them up for various occasions and moods.
Durability
Well-made retractable awnings can handle sun, wind, and rain. They use materials like fabrics that don’t fade in the sun and aluminum frames with special coatings to last long and work well.
To keep them in good shape even longer, clean them often and store them when the weather gets bad. Apply a weather and UV coating every few often and spot clean to reduce any mold growth. This will make them worth the money you spend on them.
Weather Protection
Retractable awnings shield your outdoor areas from too much sun and light rain. They make a shady spot to relax or eat and cover windows and doors, stopping heat from building up.
Some types even have wind or rain sensors that pull the awning back in bad weather, making them easy to use and safe.
Functional Spaces
Retractable awnings can turn unused areas into functional outdoor spaces. A shady patio works well for get-togethers, while a covered deck offers a quiet place to unwind.
By making these spots usable all year, you get the most out of your property and create extra living areas to relax or entertain.
Flexibility
Unlike fixed awnings, retractable versions provide unparalleled versatility. You can adjust the awning’s coverage based on the time of day, weather, or activity.
This adaptability perfectly balances sunlight and shade, improving comfort and usability without permanently altering your outdoor space.
Home Value Gets Increased
Retractable awnings are a sought-after feature that can increase a home’s market value.
Potential buyers appreciate their practical benefits, such as energy savings and enhanced outdoor living, as well as their stylish contribution to the property’s overall appearance.
This makes them a worthwhile investment for both current use and future resale.
Retractable Awnings For Patios: Why Use Them?
Patios are great places to install retractable awnings, as they link indoor and outdoor spaces. An awning turns a patio into a more flexible area, providing shade and comfort for hosting occasions, parties, or ease out.
In the summer, the awning can help to block the harsh sun that can make the patio too hot. A heavy pour lets you stay outside without getting soaked and enjoying its sounds.
Retractable awnings can shield patio furniture from excess sun, helping it stop fading and last longer.
Retractable awnings also allow homeowners to use their patios all year, as the cover makes the space work better, no matter the weather. Looks-wise, they spice up the patio, adding a stylish touch.
Moreover, there are plenty of designs and color palettes to choose from. So, you can customize your awning to suit the appeal of your patio. You can even buy different fabrics to set the mood for different occasions!
Patios with retractable awnings create a welcoming and valuable outdoor spot while boosting the property’s value and how much you can use it.
Are Retractable Awnings Durable?
With proper maintenance, retractable awnings can last 10 to 15 years. Depending on UV exposure and moisture, the fabric can last 6-10 years, and the awning’s structure can go beyond 10-15+ years.
Regular fabric cleaning and lubrication of moving parts can increase the awning’s durability and help with its appearance. Most retractable awnings withstand moderate weather, but you should retract them during high winds or storms to prevent damage and make them last longer.
You can attach wind sensors that retract the awning to strengthen the protection. Remember to apply a weather coat after consistently using the awning. These practices will help preserve it for a long time.
Energy Efficiency Of Retractable Awnings
Retractable awnings reduce energy use in homes. They shade windows, doors, and other spots exposed to the sun, lowering the heat that enters. This drop in heat keeps rooms cooler in summer, so you don’t have to gravitate towards the AC as much.
This means you can save a lot on power bills while also being kinder to the planet. Using awnings in the right way can cool indoor spaces by up to 15 degrees, mostly when put over windows facing south or west.
According to a study by the Professional Awning Manufacturers Association, there is 26% savings on electricity bills and 77% of no AC use. It was also found that houses were much more remarkable, even without any significant changes in the exterior.
They also protect your stuff inside from the sun so your furniture, floors, and curtains don’t fade. This keeps your home looking good and means you don’t have to replace things as often, which is sustainable for the environment.
In colder months, you can pull back the awnings to let the sun warm your home, naturally saving energy year-round. Retractable awnings are both practical and eco-friendly, making them a key feature for homeowners who care about saving energy.
Manual Vs Motorized Retractable Awnings
With new technology booming, even awnings are getting a makeover! Now, we are divided between manual and motorized retractable awnings.
However, which one should you choose? What aspects do they excel in? Below, we compare them briefly and provide a detailed overview so you can decide for yourself!
| Manual Awnings | Motorized Awnings |
| It is set up with a hand crank | It needs a remote control, switch, or app to set up |
| Affordable | It can be on the pricier side |
| Minimal maintenance, except occasional cleaning at times. | It may go through cleaning and motor servicing. |
| It needs physical effort to install every time. | It is convenient to install as it is all electric. |
| It is durable as it has minimal parts that need manual labor. | It will have to undergo repairs as it is an electric system. |
| It cannot be customized to act a certain way | It is programmable. |
Operation
Manual retractable awnings are operated using a hand crank while Motorized awnings require a remote or switch to operate.
Cost
Manual awnings are budget-friendly and are easy on the wallet for most people looking for it. However, motorized awnings come at a higher cost due to their electrical components.
Maintenance
Manual awnings involve minimal maintenance, which consists in cleaning and looking for any rough spots after heavy use. They may require a weather coat or lubrication to work better.
There are higher maintenance needs for motorized awnings, which includes all the cleaning and spot cleaning, but the electrical components also need extra love. At times, the motor may require servicing to perform better.
Ease Of Use
Manual awnings require you to put physical effort into setting up and using them, which makes it a hassle to use every time. During any issues, you’ll have to do everything manually.
Motorized awnings are a breeze to operate. Everything is electric, and no physical labor is needed as it opens up and sets up on its own.
Durability
Manual awnings are more durable due to the minimal parts of their structure that need occasional tweaking to go on for longer. However, for motorized awnings, there are risks of battery failure, motors deteriorating, and sensors not working the same. This adds to the hassle of frequent repairs, making them less durable.
Customization
Beyond the aesthetic appeal, manual awnings do not have the accessibility to perform a certain way during rough weather. So, you’ll just have to test your fate with this one.
However, for motorized awnings, it is programmable! You can customize how fast or slow it sets up or when in what scenarios it will retract back, for example, before a heavy storm or harsh weather.
Which Is the Right Choice for You?
The choice between manual and motorized retractable awnings boils down to your requirements, lifestyle, how much you can spend, and what you like. Manual awnings make sense for people who want to save money and don’t mind putting in some work to use them.
If you want something simple, durable, low maintenance, and have a small area to cover, go for manual awnings. However, if you want to relax, don’t want to bother setting up, and wish to unlock the ease of use, go for motorized awnings. It’s perfect for folks who want to ease out and enjoy the fancy features.
They work well for bigger outdoor spaces where manually pulling them out and putting them back in might be a pain. Moreover, controlling them with a remote, your phone, or even your voice adds a bit of modern luxury.
They also come with safety features like wind and rain sensors, which make them even more handy.
You might look at hybrid models if you want something in the middle that balances cost and how well it works. These let you add motorized parts if you wish.
In the end, it all comes down to what matters most to you. So make the decision based on what you prioritize in the long run.
Retractable Awning Maintenance Tips
Your retractable awning covers a part of your house that you should enjoy outdoors. Taking care of it ensures that it sufficiently serves the purpose for many years. Cleaning, checking the hardware, and lubricating everything is imperative in maintaining its function and form.
Check The Hardware Regularly
The hardware of your retractable awning should have regular maintenance if you expect to use it for a long time. All the bolts and fastenings must be firmly put in place.
Weakening parts can lead to damage or the need for a new replacement. Therefore, enhancing your awning with the appropriate hardware should minimize these concerns.
Don’t forget to check the arms, frame, and other hardware, as they are equally important for the efficiency and safety of your awning. Regular checks help to circumvent problems at the forefront, which makes sure that the awning is operating smoothly.
Moving Parts Require Lubrication
To ensure the smooth operation of the moving parts on your retractable awning, it is important to lubricate them regularly. This will also keep the parts from being too worn out.
As time passes, mechanical parts like gears and pulleys may become stiff and less functional, resulting in damage or fear of breakage. It is adequate to apply a non-corrosive lubricant at least once a year on these parts, or as needed, especially after strenuous use or after being subjected to the elements.
By performing this awning maintenance regularly, I am sure that your awning will last and work effectively for years to come.
Fabric Maintenance
The aforementioned steps, particularly washing, are necessary to ensure the fabric of the retractable awning is in a suitable condition. The fabric suffers a lot from the elements, and dirt, debris, and mildew can build up on it making it unsightly and rendering it functionless.
The best way to get rid of these offending elements is to carefully hose the fabric to erase excess dirt. For stains, a simple soap and water detergent should do the trick.
Never use strong chemicals that are more likely to harm the fabric. Doing these simple fabric maintenance chores will also make the awning look good while ensuring the mechanism is operational and doesn’t get jammed.
Protect The Awning From Direct Sunshine
With time, harsh sunlight can easily damage the fabric of retractable awnings regardless of their ability to provide shade. During normal conditions, retractable awnings can be extended, however, it is advised to retract them during intense sunlight, especially during the afternoon.
This helps in retaining the protective capabilities of the awning material by preventing it from weakening as well as preventing overheating.
In addition, avoiding exposure will also assist in fumigating sustenance durability for as long as possible and keeping faded wear from UV radiation.
Better Retract Correctly
In comparison to fabric, the easiest and most reliable way of maintaining the life of your retractable awning is to keep it retracted during extreme weather, inappropriate winds, and heavy showers.
Leaving the awning exposed during such drastic conditions can lead the fabric to damage, rip, and tear apart. Take measures to defend your investment by retracting the awning and components from very destructive weather, this ensures your appliance remains in perfect working order.
Extend Periodically
Although you may not need your retractable awning, you should extend it now and again. Regular extension helps ensure proper working order for the mechanical parts of the awning.
Stiffness or difficulty of the awning to operate can result from prolonged inactivity, but this practice helps prevent that. It is also best practice to extend the awning between folds at least once every few weeks so mildly cold temperatures can be accepted.
Doing so helps maintain the flexibility of the fabric while stretching it, which in turn helps reduce the damage caused by long-term folding.
Apply Protective Coatings
Coatings and sprays that protect against UV light, when applied to the fabric of the retractable awning, aid the preservation of strength and color. Sprays like these form a protective layer that prevents damage and fusing of the fabric; prolonging the overall durability of your awning.
The simplest way to ensure your awning remains functional over the years is to regularly apply the coating. They enable prolonged out-of-use periods while ensuring your awning can keep the outdoor surroundings cool and comfortable, regardless of the temperature.
Check Roller System
The roller system for your awning is designed to enhance its performance. Inspecting the arms, gears, and other parts should be carried out regularly to make sure the awning extends and retracts perfectly.
Check for any wear and tear, damage, or sources of friction that could impede proper functioning. Lubricating the moving parts will also help in aligning the system, avoiding any malfunctions.
Proper maintenance of the roller system will allow the awning to last longer and work optimally each time it is needed.
Bottom Line
So, while you’re asking are retractable awnings a good idea, we must say that the most important thing is that retractable awnings provide excellent shade without compromising style and energy efficiency.
They improve comfort and convenience by providing shade, and blocking UV light, thus lowering energy expenses. Getting these is a sensible choice because it increases the value of your home while also providing room for relaxing, entertaining, or shielding your property.
Thus, these awnings are a great investment for anyone wishing to make long-term improvements.
