A Buyer’s Guide to Retractable Awnings

An outdoor living space, such as a deck or patio, is an attractive and popular addition to many homes here in New York. Whether you need a breath of fresh air or just want to enjoy the scenery, all you need to do is open your patio door and step outside. Outdoor living areas now serve as an extension of the home, providing the perfect spot for both relaxation and entertaining. The only downside is the lack of protection from the sun and other harsh elements. Fortunately, there’s a good solution to this dilemma.

Wouldn’t you love to fully enjoy the outdoors even when it’s hot or raining? Investing in a shade solution can help make this possible by offering enough protection for you and your family to remain comfortable and your outdoor living space to remain cool and covered. This is a much better option than just retreating indoors when the weather isn’t accommodating. However, as with home improvement projects like siding replacement or gutter installation in Syracuse, NY, you need to be familiar with your options.

What are the most popular shade solutions available today?

Trees are still by far the best shade solution. With a leafy canopy that provides a comfortable, natural place to relax in privacy, all you need to do is set out a hammock or lounge chair. Not every homeowner has ample trees in the backyard, however, so go for the next best thing. Here are some good shade solutions to consider:

• Patio Umbrellas. While simple and cost-effective, the drawback of patio umbrellas is that the shade they can provide is limited — enough for a good-sized dining table or group of chairs, but not much more. Plus, there’s the risk of them falling over during windy weather. To prevent this, make sure the umbrella stand is always secured, and collapse the umbrella completely and take it indoors if the weather gets too windy or stormy.

• Pergolas. The main function of pergolas is to provide shelter for your seating area, but they also add a touch of elegance to your outdoor space. Pergolas are usually made of wood, aluminum or steel, and while they’re great on sunny days, they won’t contribute shelter during rainy weather unless you add a canvas cover.

• Awnings. This shade solution attaches to the side of your home and serves as a secondary covering that helps control the amount of sunlight and heat in your outdoor living spaces. It is composed of a metal frame over which a piece of fabric is stretched. Depending on whether your home’s exterior is brick, concrete or vinyl, awnings can be mounted on the wall, roof or soffit. Before investing in an awning, make sure its placement isn’t going to interfere with your seamless gutters in Syracuse, NY. Awnings can be:

  • Stationary. This means the canopy is mounted permanently to the home’s exterior. Stationary awnings are sturdy and stable, but they collect snow and can be damaged by high winds.

  • Freestanding. This provides you the option of moving the awning around your deck or patio. The only downside is that a freestanding awning doesn’t provide as much shade as a stationary one.

  • Retractable. If you want a versatile and flexible shading option, you should consider retractable awnings. What makes them different from stationary and freestanding awnings? Retractable awnings allow you to choose whether you want to sit in the shade or the sun, depending on the situation. Because of this ability, the canopy is also protected from damage during periods of heavy rain, snowfall and strong wind gusts because it can be retracted. And these aren’t the only advantages of retractable awnings in Syracuse, NY.

Why should you choose a retractable awning?

When it comes to shade solutions, retractable awnings top the list. They can:

1. Improve comfort in your outdoor space. Retractable awnings let you adjust the amount of sun exposure anytime you want. You can enjoy the warm sunshine on cool mornings by retracting the unit. Then during the hotter midday hours, you can again extend the canopy to keep your patio or deck cool and shaded. This feature gives you absolute control, allowing you to remain comfortable in your outdoor space no matter the time of day.

2. Increase energy efficiency. Leaving the canopy extended on hot, bright days helps shade your home’s windows and doors. By cutting off the sunlight before it enters your home, retractable awnings can naturally help keep your interior cooler and more comfortable In fact, awnings can reduce the amount of heat transfer into your home by almost 80%. This means a reduced load on your air conditioning, which in turn translates into greater energy savings.

3. Protect both indoor and outdoor furnishings. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause fading in both indoor and outdoor furniture. Invest in retractable awning installation in Fayetteville, NY, and you’ll no longer have to worry about the premature fading of your furniture.

4. Enhance the overall look of your outdoor space. Aside from protecting your outdoor space, retractable awnings serve as a highly visible design element. With the right color and design, they can further enhance your home’s curb appeal.

5. Provide a healthy return on investment. Retractable awnings make spending time outdoors more pleasant and enjoyable while also helping improve energy efficiency and curb appeal. Given the number of benefits they can offer, retractable awnings often provide a healthy return on investment.

Most home improvement projects, whether they involve your outdoor space or heated gutter systems in Canastota, NY, require careful planning. Get the most out of this particular home upgrade by making more informed purchasing decisions.

Before buying your retractable awning…

1. Consider the material it’s made of.  There are several different types of retractable awnings, and each of them has its own distinctive features. If you want to install larger awnings, for instance, polyester is an excellent choice because it prevents sagging. There is even vinyl-coated polyester that can resist ultraviolet light, water and mildew. Another good option is canvas, which remains popular among many homeowners because it holds color longer. This allows the awning’s color to remain vibrant even with frequent use. Some trusted awning providers in New York use acrylic fabrics for long-lasting durability and performance. These awnings are made with dye solutions that prevent fading and running, plus a water-repelling treatment that helps it withstand exposure to light rain showers.

2. Choose a color that complements your home’s exterior. Because retractable awnings are highly visible when the canopy is extended, make sure to pick a color that will complement your home’s style and exterior palette. Fabrics in lighter hues, like white, are the classic choice. White goes well with almost any color, plus it can help reflect heat for better comfort and energy efficiency. If you want something more cheerful and energetic, choose reds and oranges. To achieve a cool, calm feel, greens and blues are an excellent option. One of the best parts of getting awnings in Manlius, NY is the amount of customization available. There’s almost an unlimited selection of color combinations and patterns to choose from, which makes it easier to find one that goes with your home.

3. Get the right size. Retractable awnings vary in size, from widths of eight feet up all the way up to 25 feet. The size you’ll choose will ultimately depend on the amount of space you need it to shade. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and think about what kind of activities you’ll want to do in the shaded area, while also leaving enough space to enjoy some uninterrupted sunshine on another part of the patio or deck from time to time.

4. Consider the retraction mechanism. You can either manual or motorized retractable awnings. The former is more cost-effective, but you’ll have to physically open and close the awning with a crank. The latter, however, allows for convenient, effortless operation. Motorized retractable awnings also come with wind sensors, which automatically draw in the canopy to protect it from high wind speeds and rainfall.

5. Expect initial costs to be a little steep. Given the many features of retractable awnings, you might find them costlier than other shading options. Their convenience, customization and efficiency, however, more than makes up for the initial costs. This allows for significant savings over time.

6. Think about maintenance requirements. The amount of maintenance required for retractable awnings will depend on their mechanism. Motorized awnings, for example, have more breakable parts that may need eventually need repaired or replaced. On the other hand, manually operated awnings are more prone to weather damage because they don’t retract automatically, so you’ll have to be sure not to forget to draw them in. Cleaning the canopy fabric to prevent mold and other issues is also required.

7. Don’t forget about warranties. Make sure your retractable awning comes with a solid manufacturer’s warranty. This adds an extra layer of protection to your investment. Some brands like Sunesta®, for instance, offer retractable awnings with a lifetime warranty on the frame, arms, shoulders and joints, 10-year coverage on fabric and a 5-year warranty on motor and motion sensors.

8. Choose a reliable installer.  To ensure the long-lasting performance and durability of your retractable awnings, make sure to hire a trusted professional for their installation. Start by asking family and friends for local referrals, and follow these up by checking on the necessary credentials, like license, certification and insurance, including workers’ compensation and liability coverage. These can help protect your investment should anything go awry during the project.

Find an installer with good work experience so there’s less potential for mistakes and potential property damage. You should also look up awning installers on prominent trade sites like Better Business Bureau®. Have they earned satisfactory scores and reviews? Take this further by asking your potential installer for a list of references. By talking to their previous clients, you’ll have a clearer and more accurate idea about the quality of their work.

When choosing an effective shading solution for your deck or patio, consider retractable awnings. The host of advantages they offer make them a worthy addition to your home.