Tips For Choosing A Retractable Awning
If you're considering investing in an awning for your patio or front porch, you need to be selective to be sure that you get exactly what you're looking for. Before you shop, it pays to take the time to understand the options in awning construction. That way, you will be able to determine which style is going to be the best fit for your home and your needs. Here are a few of the components that you'll want to consider as you're making your choice.
What Kind Of Material Do You Want It Made From?
Think about the environment you live in when you're choosing your awning material. If you live somewhere that's typically dry and warm, you'll want a material that's breathable so that you allow airflow underneath it. However, if you live somewhere that gets some harsh weather, you'll want to choose a material that's a little more durable.
Do You Want A Manual Or Motorized Awning?
Retractable awnings come in two styles. You can either get a manually retractable model, or you can get one that's motorized and moves automatically. Manual awnings are pretty straightforward. You just have to crank the awning open or closed depending on what position you're trying to put it in.
Motorized awnings, on the other hand, operate with the push of a button. A motor opens and closes the awning automatically for you. They use a controller similar to that of a garage door opener, but the remote is usually wall-mounted somewhere close to where the awning is placed.
If you want to spend the extra money, you can even get an awning with sensors built in that will close the unit automatically if it detects high winds or will extend for you when the sensor detects direct sunlight. The only downside to these is that they typically require more maintenance than other models.
What Kind Of Arms Do You Want On The Frame?
Most retractable awning structures come with one of two arm styles. Articulated arms are designed to open in a series of a few steps. They start with the spring-loaded arms that extend, and then the remaining arm sections extend one at a time after that.
As an alternative, if you're installing a small awning, you might opt for telescopic awning arms. These rely on cylinders filled with gas to extend the arms. The downside to these is that the gas may seep out over time, which means they'll require some maintenance to refill the canisters in order to keep the awning functional.
To learn more about your options, speak to a professional that offers awning services.