It's not hard to remember the blinding glare off an unprotected porch or the scalding concrete by a swimming pool or the stuffy, still air by a west-facing window. Retractable awnings and patio covers use a simple but effective trick to control pounding heat and glare and UV rays: they block the sun.

An awning blocks sunlight before it ever reaches a window or deck. This means that all the heat and energy coming from the sun is stopped before it can touch the surface of your home – and that makes retractable awnings more effective at controlling heat and UV rays than even the highest rated blinds and thermal glazed windows. There are even studies to back it up – retractable awnings can lower air conditioning use by 77%.

Lateral arm folding awning
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The patio covers style awnings provide such an easy natural way to control heat and light that they've been used for literally thousands of years.

In a ring around the Mediterranean – Italy Greece, Egypt – seaside villages and boats all used simple awnings to block the sun. The materials have gotten more durable, the styles have gotten more graceful, but the key reasons for using retractable awnings are still the same:

• Control the amount of light indoors
• Reduce temperatures both indoors and outdoors (up to 20 degrees)
• Protect people and furnishings from damaging UV rays, glare, sun and heat
• Save on electricity and air conditioning costs
• Add a colorful touch of style that fuses with any architectural style
• Add property value to your home or business
• Increase your outdoor living space
• Save on construction costs. Significantly less costly than most permanent construction, and it's like adding an extra room
• Rain protection - easy to keep light rain off your terrace, deck, patio, balcony, hot tub, poolside, and driveway

Lateral folding arm awnings (click to enlarge)

Along with traditional window and patio awnings, RetractableAwnings.com offers over two dozen styles of retractable awnings and patio covers, from freestanding canopies to compact domes. The variety of sizes and shapes allows you to find the perfect awning for the perfect location – even for yachts and RV awnings.

Retractable Awning fabrics

RetractableAwnings.com assembles its retractable awnings from components made by the finest European manufacturers, and no one can match our selection or quality:

• Nearly 30 different awning frame styles for everything from patio awnings to RV awnings
• Over 400 fabrics in solids, stripes, and patterns
• Different remote control options, keypads, and timers
• Seven different types of environmental sensors

Firenze Plus
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