Many people enjoy spending their free time outside when it is hot - it may be a great idea to relax in front of your house and read a book, watch your kids or pets playing, or simply look at the sky with a cold drink in your hand. However, it may not be that pleasant and safe to sit in the sun when it is shining too intensely - it can make you sweat and burn your skin.
Instead of choosing to stay indoors and blast the AC, you can still enjoy sitting outside if you install a retractable awning. Thanks to such an improvement, you can control when you want your patio to stay in the shade and how dark it should be.
What's more, a retractable awning is also an excellent solution for businesses like hotels, pubs, cafes or restaurants, as they allow them to create a welcoming space for their clients who can enjoy some food and/or drinks outside without staying in the burning heat.
However, nothing in this world can be perfect, so this enhancement may also have some drawbacks. Read on to learn what the pros and cons of retractable awnings are!
The Pros of Retractable Awnings
A retractable awning can provide you with numerous benefits, and that is why it is getting more and more popular in the US for both residential and commercial use. Here are some of the most significant advantages of this solution!
Retractable awnings are excellent for people who prefer to make a more significant investment that lets them save money in the future. Namely, thanks to the shade they provide, you can minimize the heat you feel both outside and inside, and reduce the use of your air conditioners. As there will be more shade at your home, you will not have to exert too much energy to cool the indoors, resulting in lower electric bills and more money staying in your bank account.
When your furniture is exposed to the sun, it tends to dry out and bleach. For this reason, it is certainly a great idea to provide it with the necessary protection so that it can stay both useful and decorative. Thanks to a retractable awning, you will be able to keep it in the shade so that it doesn't deteriorate too fast and serve you for a long time.
You may feel tempted to buy a non-retractable awning because it is usually less expensive. However, bear in mind that it is also less durable as you cannot hide it to protect it from difficult weather conditions such as high wind, heavy rain, or snow. Moreover, as it is consistently exposed to the sun, it is more likely to lose its color quickly.
On the other hand, retractable awnings can be used only when necessary, and they can be retracted in case of bad weather, so they can keep their properties for a longer time and you can avoid buying a new awning too fast.
The Cons of Retractable Awnings
Like with everything else in this world, retractable awnings also have their drawbacks. You should be aware of the most important ones before you make your decision on the purchase. We have mentioned some below!
As it was mentioned before, retractable awnings tend to be more expensive than non-retractable ones, so it may be tempting to buy a cheaper product instead. However, keep in mind that it is a long-term investment, and the fact that you need to spend more once will be compensated by the fact you won't have to exchange it for a new model too soon.
A modern retractable awning typically comes with optional electric wind, motion, rain, and sun sensors that improve its convenience. However, when there is a power outage, you are not able to use the sensors. Nevertheless, it doesn't mean you cannot retract your awning at all - it has an optional manual override that is highly recommended and can be used whenever there is an electrical power outage in your area or house/commercial building.
Dust and Dirt Collection
Take into account that your retractable awning may collect dust and debris, which can significantly lower the aesthetics of your home, cafe, hotel, pub or restaurant. What's more, if water collects in some places, unhealthy mold can grow there as well. However, you can easily avoid it by cleaning your retractable awnings, at least on a seasonal basis.
The Bottom Line
All in all, retractable awnings combine very beneficial advantages because they conveniently allow you to be in control of the shade. You can open them whenever you want to spend some time on your patio and retract them when they are not necessary or when unfavorable weather conditions could harm them.
As a result, they can serve you for a long time and protect you from too much sunlight, as well as prevent your garden furniture from fading and drying out. They will also allow you some savings, as with more shade, your air conditioning will not be as necessary.
You should be aware, though, that retractable awnings may cost more than traditional ones, and they need regular cleaning. Also, in case of power shortage, they lose their ability to be retracted with a dedicated electric standard motor - you will have to use a backup manual override motor for that.
Despite all that, they are an excellent solution for both homeowners and business owners who want to provide excellent shade and light rain protection shade for their premises. In our vast range, you will find only high-quality products of this kind, available in numerous colors and designs. Feel free to browse it now!
Contact our European, factory trained retractable residential and commercial awning, pergola, screen, and canopy experts using our contact form, our live help chat or call us in the USA or Canada toll-free at (866) 438-2964 or outside the USA or Canada at (305) 628-2424.
