4 Uses for Electric, Retractable and Roll Up AwningsOutdoor/Furniture/Garden/Lights.com

In my house at the moment, we get some pretty serious sun last thing in the afternoon hitting the house from the west. for about 6 months a year it’s fine, but during the warmer months, it is a real killer. The indoor temp of our house can get over 30 degrees! So a while back, it was decided that we should get a series of roll up awnings to protect that side of the house from the harsh afternoon sun.

Outdoor Customer Seating

We discovered that a roll up awning can have a number of benefits. Obviously protection from the sun is first and foremost. They are also very attractive, and can add immense character to a house. They can also create shade outside the window also. My favourite cafe has an awning outside, and it makes the perfect place to sample their exquisite coffee. In fact, it is a retro butcher’s shop, and the two giant awnings work so well for customers that usually the outside is full long before the inside.

Motorized Awnings

With the addition of a motor, retractable awnings become extremely convenient. Allowing you to get the full light through your window when the sun is in a different part of the sky, and then extending your electric awnings to block it – often this is towards the end of the day. Some of the most advanced models of roll up awnings are actually able to proect a window from full sunlight, and extend bit by bit to protect from the sun. An electric awning is probably more convenient, as it’s usually operated from within a house, and doesn’t involve any winding.

Manual Roll Up Awnings

A manual roll up awning is usually operated by a lever to wind it open and shut, mostly located on the exterior of the house. They often tend to last for years (at least the well made ones do), and many of them can just have the canvas replaced, to allow for a new lease on life. They obviously take longer to wind and unwind, and can make the interior of a house darker than it needs to be. They are of course cheaper than the average motorized awning. Automatic awnings, therefore, obviously have the edge in every area except for price and maintenance. Sooner or later your engine will break down, and of course it will cost you more to start with. They can be controlled controlled on a timer, or using a light sensor, or a remote control.

Outdoor Retractable Awnings
Another category of motorized awnings are patio awnings. These are large scale, retractable awnings which stretch out over your outdoor eating area, sometimes even including an outdoor kitchen, which allow you to eat under cover. Many will also affix outdoor string lights or a fixed light to the awning to allow for evening entertaining while we use our gas and electric grills. This area can easily be turned into somewhere you spend a large amount of your time. With some simple additions of furnishings, and perhaps a comfortable seat or two, you might find yourself spending an large amount of your time out on it. Of course, not all awnings are made from canvas. Some are not actually roll up awnings at all. Some fixed awnings actually are made up of interlocking aluminium or steel slats. Which are rotated by motor into either an open or closed position. But of course, these have specific uses, and quite a few home owners want retractable awnings which can be entirely concealed if and when required. A large retractable awning can be a handy back up plan for outdoor entertainment, and fit much more than an outdoor picnic table under it. They’re a much better option than gazebo covers. We’ve all experienced a last minute storm, exactly when our party is about to start. Awnings can cover this contingency perfectly.