How to Choose Retractable Awnings
If you’re reading this article, you’re likely aware of the advantages that retractable awnings provide to home and business owners. Easy to install and use, they’re a cost-effective way to control sunlight and heat, extend living space, lower utility bills, and add color and style to a house or commercial building. So you’ve educated yourself on the benefits of awnings, and now you’re ready to choose a model that’s a good match for your location. Here are the 4 major questions that should guide your purchase.
1. How will you use your retractable awnings?
There are different types available, such as dome style (often seen over windows and doorways) and lateral style (good for decks and patios). Be sure to select an awning that is well suited to your install area. If you plan ahead, you can even use more than one model, coordinating colors and styles to add harmony.
2. What atmosphere are you aiming for?
This pertains mostly to the fabric color of your awnings. Solution-dyed acrylic fabric, which is the best type available, comes in over 500 styles. You’ll find numerous solid colors, as well as stripes and floral patterns. If you want to create a party atmosphere for entertaining, you might opt for a clear, bright color, such as a tropical blue or green. If you want something more relaxing and intimate, you can look for a warm yellow, orange, or red, which create an effect of light. Or if you have contemporary sensibilities, you could choose a combination of neutrals (black and white, for example) which come across as clean and stylish.
3. How important is hands-free operation?
Retractable awnings come with motors, sensors, and remote controls can be added to the package for greater ease of use. Whether you’re pushing a button or using a crank, lowering and retracting the awning will take less than a minute. The motorized add-ons can reduce wear and tear, however, extending the life of the awnings. If you are truly a hands-off type, you can look at models that come with weather sensors that unfurl the awnings on bright days and retract them in dangerous or overcast weather.
4. Can you recognize quality?
There are plenty of reputable awning manufacturers, but there are some shady outfits as well. That makes it important to know what makes for a durable awning. I already mentioned that acrylic fabric is the best option. Here’s what else to look for: Aluminum frames are the most durable, as well as being lightweight for easy use. Electrostatic powder-coating on the metal gives an added degree of protection. Look for Teflon-coated straps in the arms, which, unlike steel cables, cannot rust. The thread used to sew the fabric should be weather proof just like the fabric itself. Gore-Tex is an ideal material. A general rule of thumb is to avoid bulk suppliers like Sam’s Club or CostCo and buy retractable awnings from a company that specializes in making them.
Follow these guidelines, and you should get decades of maintenance-free use out of your awnings. Of course, you can flick them with a feather duster every couple years if the mood strikes you. If you want more background before you make a purchase, here’s more info on home and commercial uses for awnings.
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