Get The Best Shade From A Retractable Patio Awning

As you search online for the best choices regarding shade for your deck or patio, you are bound to come across both fixed mounted and retractable patio awnings. There are some advantages and drawbacks to each type of patio awning and we will cover those here. In addition, we will discuss how you can expect to benefit from using a manual versus a motorized style.

Let’s first start off our discussion with a brief introduction to the various types and then go from there into how there are unique differences among them. To begin with, we are going to assume that shade is the primary reason for these awnings in the first place. After all, the summer sun can be extremely intense and we need to protect ourselves to better enjoy our decks. The various styles of awnings do this in different ways.

The common retractable patio awning simply works by having a pivot swing arm and a roller shade. This is opened or unrolled as the arm drops down and the awning extends to cover your deck or patio space. A typical awning of this style would span an approximate area of 10’ x 10’. Larger awnings can be special ordered.

There are also hybrid styles of retractable awnings where there is a fixed post and beam type structure that has several retractable fabric pieces that act as the roof. Sometimes called a shade tree, these particular styles of patio awning can give you the look of a free-standing pergola with the benefits of a retractable roof. The various pieces can be individually opened or closed to make adjustments to your shade preferences.

Since we are talking about a retractable feature, we must discuss how they open or close. There are a few different types. One way is by hand and the other is through using motorized awnings. The manual method requires a handle and crank that is turned to open and extend the awning over your space. The latter motorized retractable awning allows for more smooth operation with no physical effort. The motorized styles are great for hard to reach areas or for those with some limitations in strength or movement. They are also just great for the sake of ease and convenience. All you need to do with these motorized styles is press a button and your retractable awnings are open and ready for all your ‘shady business’ needs.