Although it’s still winter, many Connecticut homeowners are thinking ahead and preparing for warmer weather. If you would like to spend more time outdoors in the summer, but it often gets too hot during the day, increasing the amount of shade is an obvious solution. A retractable awning or a pergola can block the sun and help you stay cool, but there are some important things to know that will help you decide which would be better for your property.
Understand the Differences between an Awning and a Pergola
A retractable awning is attached to the exterior of a house. It can be opened to provide shade on a hot, sunny day or to protect people from the rain. When it’s not needed, an awning can be retracted.
A pergola, on the other hand, is a freestanding structure. It has a roof, but it’s open on the sides. That means that it has plenty of ventilation, but a pergola offers less protection from the sun.
Think about Where You Need Shade
If you want to block the sun so you can spend more time on the deck or patio that’s right outside your home, a retractable awning would be the better choice. It’s designed to be attached to a house and used to cover an area adjacent to it.
Since a pergola is free-standing, it can be used in a much wider range of locations. If you want to create a shaded seating area in a section of your yard that isn’t right next to the house, a pergola can be a good solution.
Consider the Installation Process and Cost
A retractable awning is relatively easy to install. It’s an affordable way to get the shade you want so you can spend more time relaxing outside on your deck or patio.
Installing a pergola requires more work and costs more than an awning. You will also need to carefully choose a location for a pergola. Once a pergola has been installed, you won’t be able to move it to a different site.
Get a Quote for a Retractable Awning
Aladdin offers both hand-crank and motorized retractable awnings. We can create a custom awning that will fit the dimensions of the space you want to cover so you can enjoy it without having to worry about the blazing sun or the threat of rain. You can choose from more than 150 weatherproof fabrics and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a lifetime Sunesta warranty. Contact us today to get an estimate for a retractable awning.