What Is A Retractable Awning?

If there is one thing that we love most about summer is the heat. After a few months of endless snow and spring rain, the scorching summer has finally come. Not everyone enjoys this kind of weather though, but most people like the activities that go along with it. If you like a lot of outdoor activities like various sports then this might be your season. Even though there are dangers of staying under the sun for far too long, there are still people who want to do exactly that. Whether you are on the beach or just in your home, there is always room for a little of sun as it has a lot of benefits to your health according to this article.

On the other hand, too much of anything will always be bad. The sun’s rays can actually burn us if we stay under it for a long period of time. This is also the season for mosquitoes and flies, and these insects roam around like crazy during the hot summer months. Otherwise, we all want to be under the shade as soon as the hottest rays hit the earth.

Natural shadows

Although being under a tree always helps, you still want to be near your home as much as possible. This is why a lot of people cover their porches and decks so that they can still enjoy the weather without getting scorched. Here are some ways that you can protect yourself from the heat of the sun, some of these might shock you: https://www.60degree.com/health/surprising-ways-to-protect-yourself-from-the-sun-that-you-may-not-have-considered/.

There are many ways you can make a shade for that part of your house. If you are into the DIY scene, then you can actually make your own. There are a lot of tutorials online that can teach you how to make these covers for your home. However, this can be quite time-consuming, and there is still going to be the material and labor expenses.

This is why most people would opt to buy premade stuff so that they wouldn’t have spent a lot of time and effort to build something that can be easily bought. There are a lot of options to choose from regarding this need, but one of the most popular ones is a retractable awning. And you have got to make sure you get the very best retractable patio awnings ever if you want to make your home all the more beautiful.

What is a Retractable Awning?

A retractable awning is a good way for you to give shade to your decks, porches, patios and terraces. These things are just like your normal cover. However, you don’t have to take so much space while using them. These awnings can easily be folded into it and you can just unfurl it anytime you want to. One of the most important aspects of this equipment is its versatility. You can use it anytime, even outside of summer. For example, you can sip your maple and pumpkin spice latte in autumn without getting bombarded by all the leaves,

If you want to buy one, make sure that you get only the best that you could possibly have. It is important that you don’t have to spend too much on something that is just going to break within the first year. However, your own needs would also matter while choosing your own retractable awnings. Below are some of the aspects that you need to check before buying one. This would certainly help you as you search for what you need.

Features You Need to Look Into Before Buying a Retractable Awning

Width

When choosing a retractable awning. It is important that you will choose depending on the width or coverage of the equipment. First, you need to measure the area that you are supposed to cover. This will determine the width of the awning that you will buy. Most manufacturers would have standard sizes for their products. Make sure that you are going to buy something that would be just a bit wider than the area you measured. It is ok to be more than less in this situation. You can also ask someone to measure it for you and send the size to them manufacturer so that they can make it for you.

Thickness

The thickness of the material will determine its durability as it will not be prone to wear and tear. There are a lot of cheaper products who would just use thin version of vinyl for them to sell more because of their lower price. Even though that you could save a lot of money now, you would need to buy more if the awning would be torn by any means. If this happens more often, it would also affect your patio as well. It will not look as good if there is a large tear on it anyway.

Material

Another determinant of an awning’s lifespan is the material or fabric used. Most of the frames are either metal or plastic so these would really last long. On the other hand, the fabric might not be as durable as it seems. Most of the retractable awnings in the market use a specialized fabric that is specifically made for this kind of equipment. It is waterproof, protects the metals from rust and it is also heat-resistant. Some also use acrylic for this, although this type of fabric is also known as an “awning” fabric. Read more about acrylic fabrics here.

There are also three kinds of this equipment according to how they are used. Retractables need to be folded manually. These are also the most common ones. The electric kinds need to have some sort of battery or power supply to work, hence the name. With just one click of a button, you can retract or adjust it according to your needs. The slide, on the other hand, folds in a different way compared to the common retractable. It is usually manual for use as well, so you don’t need electricity for this.

These tools might look frivolous for you, but they can be quite important for any family. Retractable awnings also add a nice touch to any home. As long as their colors don’t clash with yours, it will always look good at any point of the year. These might seem to be a bit expensive, especially the best ones, but these can also be thought of as a good investment.