Choosing the Best Type of Awning for Your Needs
Awnings of all types are very practical for any home or commercial space. They give you many different benefits and help to keep you out of the hot sun in the summer months. Read on to learn about the benefits of different types of awnings.
Retractable vs. Fixed Awnings: Which is Better?
Awnings of all types can form a shield overhead to keep the sun and rain off you so you can enjoy your outdoor spaces more of the year while being comfortable. The two main types of awnings they are retractable and fixed. They both have the same major benefits when they are open, but there are some differences between the two. Some homeowners and business owners prefer one type over the other. It’s really a matter of preference and a few other items too as to which works best for your specific situation.
What are Awnings?
Awnings can be stationary or retractable and made of aluminum, vinyl, wood, or cloth. They help to cut down on your energy bills by keeping the sun and heat out of your home or business. It’s a supplemental cover or roof that has a waterproof top on it to protect you from sun and rain during a storm. You can have a custom awning made in any size you wish to cover large or small areas. Most of the time awnings cover an area where people gather, such as a porch, deck, or near a swimming pool.
Fabrics can be solid in color or have playful stripes on them. The colors are available in many different shades to match the exterior of your dwelling or business. The fabrics are made of a woven material that allows some light to filter through them and they are treated with products to help them dry quickly, reduce mildew and mold and they have a UV inhibitor in them so the colors won’t fade quickly.
You can also add extras to your custom awnings, such as fans, Bluetooth speakers, heaters, and LED lights to make your outdoor space your own little paradise in every manner.
What are Retractable and Fixed Awnings?
The two major types of awnings are retractable and fixed. The difference between the two is the manner in how they are fixed to a framework to hold the fabric up.
Retractable awnings can be closed when they are not in use. You can either close it manually by turning a crank so that the fabric rolls up onto a cassette out of sight or if you have a motorized version, you merely push a button and it retracts the awning for you.
Fixed awnings are exactly what you would think by the name. It is attached to a frame permanently and it doesn’t close. It stays open at all times for heat, light, and sun control.
Fixed Awning Benefits
Fixed awnings do have some benefits that you may enjoy over the retractable style awnings. They include:
- Fixed position and always open
- No moving parts to wear out
- Blocks light at a specific angle
- Heavy support frame with legs
- No need to mount to a building
- A lower price point than a retractable awning.
Fixed awnings always stay open so you don’t need to worry about trying to close them in bad weather. Since fixed awnings don’t close and open, there are no moving parts that can break or wear out for expensive repairs.
These types of awnings block the sunlight all year round at the same specific angle because they don’t move. The support frame is heavy-duty and it also has legs for support on it. You can place a fixed awning anywhere you like because it doesn’t attach to a building or a home. Generally, fixed awnings are less expensive than retractable types.
Retractable Awning Benefits
Retractable awnings do have some great benefits also that you might like such as:
- Can open or close as you want
- Can be motorized
- Can add rain and wind sensors
- Long-lasting and durable
- Reduces heating costs in the winter
- Allows natural lighting on dark or cloudy days
- Low profile when retracted
You can open or close your retractable awning whenever you want to so you can block the hot afternoon sun and glare from your patio or deck. You can even open your retractable partially to change the angle of projection.
You can add motorization, allowing you to touch a button on the remote control or on your smartphone to open and close your awning. If the power fails, you still have a manual crank to close or open your awning. Motorized retractable awnings are often called the best of the best.
Rain and wind sensors can be added to a retractable awning. When the sensors detect rain or a certain amount of wind, they will automatically close your awning for you so it doesn’t get harmed by a storm. Retractable awning’s canvas tops are durable and long-lasting because you can close them when not in use and preserve the fabric from the sun’s UV rays continuously as well as high winds and the weight of snow.
Retracting your awning in the winter allows some of the sun’s warmth to enter your home and windows to use less heating. A closed retractable awning will also allow you to have natural lighting in your home on dark or cloudy days so you can use less electricity for lighting inside. When your retractable awning is closed, it has a low profile against your home or business and it is barely noticed.
Choose the Experts for Your Awning Company Needs
At AAA Awnings in Garden Grove California, located in Orange County, we have experienced staff members that are highly educated on all types of awnings. No matter which type you choose you can rest assured we will provide you with turn-key service and no headaches. We will take measurements and help you decide which type and colors you want to satisfy all your needs. We will then fabricate your custom awning and return it to your home or business to install it professionally for you. Contact us to begin enjoying your outdoor spaces all year round.
