While not necessarily the biggest change to your home, retractable awnings are still something that needs to be thought about with a bit of weight. Once installed, it will most likely be there for a very long time. You are basically stuck with it until you remove it! Is it pleasing to look at? Will it break down after so many uses? What happens if you change the exterior color of your home and the material you originally chose does not go with the house. Although these are some important questions to ask, there are pros and cons of installing a retractable awning.
The Pros
Awnings are extremely popular as they are versatile and provide an immediate solution to a variety of outdoor spaces. Although mostly utilized for protection from the sun, they are also used for rain cover, and in some cases, light snowfalls when the outdoor space is used during all four seasons.
The awnings ability to be retracted makes them more flexible than those in a fixed position. This is beneficial in that, should you wish to be without shade, you have the ability to retract, full or partially, instantly. This is also a plus if sunlight regularly heats an interior room through a window, or series of windows. The shade from a retractable awning can decrease internal temperature by up to 15 degrees!
Another big advantage to having a retractable awning is that there are no poles or vertical supporting structures to get in the way of your open space. This makes movement about the area under the awning become free-flowing, with no danger of knocking into a pole or guide lines.
Additionally, retractable awnings are not easily damaged as they can be stored away in the event of inclement weather, which means they will endure much longer than their stationary counterparts.
The Cons
Adversely, there are some negative aspects associated with retractable awnings which are worth mentioning, as they can be the determining factors in the decision process.
The initial con here may be the price. As retractable awnings are much more flexible and versatile than stand-alone versions, these very aspects make them tend to be more expensive. To some this may not be a hindrance if it is truly worth the investment. But if cutting corners and going for cheaper versions is the intent, then this could prove to be a major drawback.
There is the possibility that the retractable function might break. If the motorized version is being used, there is the chance that it will eventually have a mechanical issue. The motors used are not high quality and do need to be maintained periodically. Should a break down occur, you could be stuck with the awning in either a closed, open, or partially open/closed position, until it gets fixed. Conversely, the same could be said for the manual method. Should the crank mechanism break, the same scenario as above could ensue, but the upside here is that it is easier and faster to fix.
Lastly, as retractable awnings do not have any vertical supporting structure, they ultimately need to be, well, retracted when they are not being used, especially during inclement weather. Basically, if still in the open position, they become a giant sail (view video here)! And we know the end results of this scenario.
Have Questions. Know your Options. Let the Professionals at Aladdin, Inc., Share their Decades of Experience with You
Choosing a retractable awning can be a great addition to any home, allowing for more time outdoors in a protected environment. Ultimately, the right lifestyle choice falls into play here, and an understanding of what to expect with such a purchase should be foremost in the decision-making process.
