Awnings can keep your house & backyard nice and cool during harsh summer months. They can also keep your screen porch warm during the winter season. But with so many types of awnings on the market, choosing the perfect awning for your home can be difficult. So here we’ll focus on the different kinds of awnings suitable for decks, patios, and every outdoor area of your home.
- Retractable Awnings
Retractable awnings are easily opened or extended to provide shelter from the sun, and they are the most popular of all awning types. When not in use, you can simply roll, fold, or rewind them back into place. Once retracted, full sunlight can shine through, which is helpful in colder seasons when you want more natural light and a chance to soak up some Vitamin D.
Installing a retractable awning over your patio makes your space feel like an extra room without the cost or disruption of remodeling. It adds both value and comfort to your home. In fact, many homeowners use patio awnings to bring an upscale ambiance to their space.
You can operate most retractable awnings manually; all you need is a hand crank to extend or retract them. Automatic retractable awnings are also available and come with a motor installed. To extend or retract motorized awnings, all you have to do is press a button, use a remote controller, or install a sensor to operate them. Rollac open-style awnings are our most popular awnings and are perfect for a porch or patio.
- Wall-Mounted Awnings
Also known as fixed awnings, wall-mounted awnings are another way to provide shelter from the sun. These awnings have additional support poles that extend to the ends of the awning to provide greater stability and durability. They can be used over both doors and windows.
If you are looking for a permanent way to shelter a portion of your house (such as a patio or deck) against the heat of the sun, then wall-mounted awnings are ideal. They do not require any kind of retracting mechanism, are extremely durable, and can provide round-the-clock shelter.
- Window Awnings
Apart from being an attractive addition to any home or building, window awnings are also highly energy efficient. Studies show that on a hot day – when you’re paying a premium to cool your home – one square foot of glass can lose more energy than an entire insulated wall. By installing window awnings, which use no electricity, you can reduce the internal temperature of your home and thereby cut down your air-conditioning bills as well.
You can also buy window awnings with or without sides. If you have a direct south-facing window awnings without sides work well because the sun’s rays all come from overhead. If your window faces any other direction, side panels can offer additional coverage from the sun and prolong the protection you get every day.
What are the design options for awnings?
Awnings are available in a variety of shapes and styles. You can choose awnings in any color, pattern, design, shape, or size. So when you are selecting an awning for your space, take your time, because the variety of options can seem overwhelming at times.
These are just some of your options:
- Stationary Designs
These are canopy-style awnings that are permanently installed on the outside area of a house. They are especially sturdy, strong, and durable. If you live in an area that experiences heavy snowfall or strong wind gusts, a stationary awning design is perfect for your needs. Make sure to hire an expert to take care of the entire installation procedure so that your awning can endure tough weather conditions.
- Portable Designs
As the name suggests, these transportable awnings are built for convenience and temporary placement. They can easily be moved from one location to another, and they are freestanding. The best part is that you can use them anywhere you want – your backyard, your patio, or even on your deck. In addition, portable awnings can be easily repositioned to track the course of the rising or setting sun.
- Motorized Designs
Motorized awnings use an electric mechanism for rolling the canopy in and out. You can also operate them using a remote control, so their convenience is superb .
The best part about motorized designs is they can be customized using sensors that monitor weather conditions and then activate themselves accordingly. For instance, when it is sunny, or if it is about to rain, sensor-controlled awnings can detect those conditions and extend themselves to protect you. Similarly, they can begin to retract the moment the wind picks up speed.
You will definitely need to hire a professional electrician to install motorized awnings. But don’t forget to check whether the unit has an automatic override or not. This is an important feature because an override will allow you to hand-crank the awning in case the motor should fail or need repair.
If you use your outdoor space frequently, there are many reasons to consider buying stylish, convenient, energy-friendly awnings for your home. It’s always wise to hire trained technicians to install your awnings because, even though it might increase your initial budget, having your awnings set up properly will give you many years of comfort and enjoyment.
We hope this brief guide makes buying awnings simpler, and we wish you many happy days of perfectly sheltered shade.
Loves home. I am here to provide how to make your home a much better place. 🙂 Blogging about HomeDecor, Home Improvements and more.
