Installing sleek, high-functioning motorized awnings is one of the best investments businesses can make to enhance their storefronts and improve experiences for customers and employees. Motorized retractable awnings offer numerous advantages over manual options, making them the ideal choice for upgrading commercial spaces.
Below, we’ll explore the top 10 benefits of incorporating motorized awnings into restaurants, retail stores, offices, and other commercial properties.
Top 10 Benefits of Motorized Awnings for Commercial Properties
1. Unmatched Convenience with Automated Functionality
One of the biggest perks of motorized awnings is their sheer convenience. With automated functionality, awnings can be expanded or retracted at the push of a button using a handheld remote control or smartphone app. This allows business owners and staff to easily control shading and sunlight throughout the day without any cumbersome manual labor.
Employees don’t have to interrupt their work to go outside and crank awnings open or closed manually. Motorized systems allow awnings to be adjusted anytime with quick, effortless operation. This hands-free convenience ensures optimal sun protection when it’s wanted and retract when it’s not.
2. Superior Flexibility in Sun Protection
Speaking of sun protection, motorized systems allow commercial spaces to have superior flexibility in shading. Awnings can provide adjustable shade precisely when needed, whether during the most intense sunlight at midday or lighter conditions in the early evening.
Retractable fabric canopies block sunlight before it hits window glass, dramatically reducing heat gain. Automated functionality means protection can be expanded or retracted in minutes based on changing daylight and weather. Pre-programmed timers even allow awnings to operate on schedules tailored to a location’s sun exposure.
This customizable shading prevents overheating and glare within interior spaces while allowing natural daylight when desired. Manually operated shades simply can’t match this level of versatile sun control.
3. Major Improvements in Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings
By providing adjustable solar shading, motorized awnings can substantially reduce heat gain within commercial buildings. This greatly decreases the need for energy-intensive air conditioning on hot, sunny days.
Studies by the U.S. Department of Energy and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that awnings can reduce solar heat gain by up to 77% on windows with direct sun exposure. This added energy efficiency results in lower electricity usage and up to 15% savings on summer cooling bills.
For stores, restaurants, offices, and other businesses with large glass facades, the energy and cost reductions from motorized shades can be dramatic. The systems quickly pay for themselves in long-term energy savings. Eco-friendly businesses can also gain appeal by prominently marketing this “green” benefit to customers.
4. Built-in Protection from Weather Damage
Motorized awnings provide automated weather resistance that manual shades simply can’t match. The systems have wind and rain sensors that automatically retract the fabric canopies once wind speeds or precipitation reach preset thresholds.
This prevents the awnings from being damaged by gusts or soaked by rainfall. It also eliminates the need for staff to monitor conditions to protect the shading investment constantly. Motorized systems provide complete self-regulation to prevent costly weather damage.
5. Major Curb Appeal Enhancement with Modern, Attractive Styling
Beyond practical sun shading advantages, motorized awnings provide aesthetic curb appeal benefits. The streamlined, contemporary-looking systems give commercial storefronts a sleek facelift and are available in a wide range of modern colors and styles.
The smooth, tech-savvy appearance signals customers that a business is up-to-date and investing in top-of-the-line amenities. Motorized units also avoid the bulky, cluttered look of manual crank or gear systems. This allows businesses to enhance aesthetics and highlight architectural features while benefiting from shade and weather protection.
6. Greater Use and Enjoyment of Outdoor Commercial Spaces
By regulating sunlight exposure, motorized shades create more comfortable and inviting outdoor seating areas, dining patios, waiting zones, and relaxation spaces adjacent to businesses.
The adjustable overhead canopies provide cooling shade and allow heat to dissipate, preventing outdoor spaces from becoming unbearably hot in direct sun. This enhances the experience for customers and employees using these spaces, encouraging greater utilization.
Outdoor areas protected by motorized awnings can be used year-round. The systems truly expand the functional square footage of commercial properties by making adjacent open-air spaces more guest-friendly.
7. Unrivaled Durability with Robust Materials and Mechanisms
Motorized awnings are designed and constructed to provide long-lasting performance and durability. The units utilize strong, lightweight aluminum or steel for the retractable lateral arms and torsion assemblies. The shade fabric is also made of woven acrylic, polyester, or vinyl laminates that resist sun damage, tearing, and moisture.
And because the awnings open and close automatically rather than manually, the systems avoid wear and tear from constant physical handling and cranking. State-of-the-art motors, gear mechanisms, and sensors ensure years of reliable service. This exceptional durability means business owners can rest easy knowing their investment is built to last.
8. Customizable Options to Complement Brand Image
While very functional, motorized awnings are also highly aesthetically customizable. The systems are available in various fabric colors, patterns, and designs. Architectural shaping of the overhead canopies is also possible for a unique look.
This allows businesses to select an awning style that complements their brand image and exterior facade. Custom logo printing on the awning fabric is even possible for an extra branding boost. Customization allows chain retailers and restaurants a signature branded awning look at each new location.
9. Bigger Bottom Line from Expanded Outdoor Business Activity
An additional financial benefit of motorized awnings is that they allow expanded outdoor business activities that can increase revenue. Restaurants can utilize patio seating for more diners. Retail stores can display merchandise outside. Professional offices can meet with clients in shaded courtyards.
By making outdoor spaces more comfortable year-round, motorized awnings facilitate ancillary business functions beyond the confines of interior square footage. For retailers, this also means more views and access to window displays, driving impulse purchases. The shades drive business growth.
10. Streamlined, Tech-Forward Additions to Modernize Properties
Lastly, today’s commercial property owners and tenants want amenities that align with a modern, technology-driven era. Motorized awnings allow commercial buildings to seamlessly incorporate automated shading systems for an up-to-date look and functionality. This gives spaces an adaptive, smart edge over the stagnant manual fixtures of yesterday.
Automated awnings improve comfort and operations and showcase that a business is investing in innovations to create the best experiences for customers and employees. Modern motorized shades for commercial tenants and building owners convey that they are forward-thinking industry leaders.
Protect Spaces You Love With Ease Using Motorized Retractable Awnings
Motorized retractable awnings deliver on all fronts, blending aesthetic appeal, technology-driven functionality, superior weather protection, energy savings, and customizable design. They represent the pinnacle of form meeting function. For new builds or renovations, motorized systems are an ideal addition to maximize benefits with a sleek style.
AAA Awning’s seasoned shade experts can recommend the perfect awnings to maximize benefits for your business. Contact us now to get started on a cooling, energy-efficient upgrade!
