Property has to be managed to keep value, and retractable awnings offer unexpected benefits in creating beauty and adding value to any home or commercial space:

• Adding beauty with instant comfort and elegance.

• Lowering peak energy use by lowering the heat added to a room by 77% and cutting down air conditioning use by almost 25%.

• Preserving furnishings by blocking sunlight and UV rays, protecting furniture and carpets from fading and sun-related wear.

• Extending outdoor spaces by providing cooling shade or protection from rain.

• Easy maintenance and use with state-of-the art materials that resist fading, motors and sensors to automatically retract awnings, and low maintenance.

There are several options in outdoor coverings. Fixed awnings or canopies have distinct disadvantages: fading in as little as two years, constant cleaning, time-consuming storage. The versatility of retractable awnings provides extra advantages to property owners:

• Longer lifetimes, since retracting the awning when not in use innately protects it from fading, tears, mildew, and wind damage

• Easy use with motors, remote controls, and sensors

• Adjustable projection and pitch, which means the awning’s extension and angle are flexible

• No construction costs because of simple installation

Retractable awnings have a simple design. The frame of the awning is anchored with brackets to a wall, roof, eaves, or fascia. When the awning is extended, the arms are held in place by high tension springs, so no stanchions or posts have to hold it up. In high quality awnings, the tension springs are extremely strong; retractable awnings can have a projection (the length that the awning extends) as far as 17 feet on elbows with a weight load of 2200 pounds. Retractable awnings don’t have to be extended fully, so the length can be adjusted flexibly.

Retractable awnings are easy to use, with a variety of options that tailor them to any building or environment:

• A small, powerful motor, sealed inside the roller tube, extends and retracts the awning automatically. All motors should be UL (American) and CE (European) certified for quality.

• An optional hood allows the awning to be tucked inside when retracted and protects it from exposure. Hoods are available in PVC or extruded aluminum, but the better choice is aluminum which is strong and weathers well.

• Awnings can be retracted by remote controls like a garage door or controlled through indoor or outdoor switches.

• Sun, rain, and wind sensors measure the current conditions, from brightness to wind speed, and retract and extend awnings based on user-defined levels. Rain sensors can even extend awnings so that outdoor areas remain usable on wet days or retract awnings with a shallow pitch.

• Adjustable pitch changes the angle that the awning shades. Awnings have a minimum pitch of 0 degrees (flat) to provide maximum sun protection; steeper pitches deflect precipitation.

• Custom sizes are available down to one-inch increments in width and length, so that it is possible to match the size of the awning precisely to the area.

Retractable awnings add value by retaining their appearance and durability – factors determined by the quality of materials in them:

• The frame has several options, including steel and aluminum. Aluminum is the best choice for long-term value: powder-coated for protection, rust- and shatterproof, and lightweight.

• The arm shoulders carry the weight of the awning and moisture from precipitation. The strongest arms are Kevlar, with can carry a load of over 2000 pounds, but smaller awning arms are made of cables. Never get an awning with arms of bare steel; this will rust and bleed, weakening and discoloring the awning.

• The fabric canopy ages faster than any other part, between mildew, fading, wind damage, and atmospheric chemicals like acid rain. Natural fibers like cotton fade and rot with exposure to moisture. Vinyl is a solid sheet of fabric, which dries slowly, mildews easily, cracks, and fades. The best kind of fabric is solution-dyed acrylic, with the pigments embedded in the fiber of the fabric, not on the surface. Acrylic fabrics don’t fade or stain; since acrylic is a woven fabric, it dries quickly without mildewing. Acrylic fabrics on retractable awnings can last 15 years with minimal care.

• Teflon threads resist UV, moisture, and chemicals so that the retractable awning seams attaching it to the frame stay secure. Polyester stitching frequently needs to be resewn because the thread is vulnerable to moisture, cleaning products, and sun.

Awnings provide practical benefits like savings on electrical bills and simple enjoyment by enhancing any home or building’s outward appearance. By combining economy with aesthetics, retractable awnings can be a smart way to enhance the value of a property for a variety of circumstances, from increasing energy efficiency and curb appeal to enhancing outdoor sitting areas and protecting them from the elements.



By: Eric Scop

About the Author:

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The last few years saw a surge in home interior design, and that transitioned gracefully into an interest in designing a backyard with the same thoughtfulness and attention to comfort. Outdoor designs enhance the earthiness and roughness of nature, with the comfort and detail of indoors. This blend is integral to creating a polished, usable environment: the influence of indoor design brings structure and unity to the outdoor space.

Structure defines the space through construction like fences, patios, or gazebos, or through vegetation, like borders or shrubs. Modern retractable awnings are an uncomplicated and inexpensive method to introduce definition to an outdoor space without the high cost of construction or the high maintenance of complicated landscaping.

Define the Space with Retractable Awnings

Design is based on cohesion between decorating elements. For outdoor spaces, cohesion is predicated on structure, an outline for the area. With retractable awnings, the natural flow between the interior space and the new exterior space depends on the size and location of the retractable awnings:

·        Outdoor access, such as sliding doors

·        Shade needs for interior rooms; retractable awnings block heat, UV rays, glare, and sunlight, which makes them an asset for overly bright rooms or rooms with UV-susceptible elements, like paintings and photographs.

·        Sun orientation; retractable awnings which shade west and south facing rooms can reduce indoor temperature gains by 77%, so they are ideal for passive energy efficiency in sunny rooms

·        Size. The width of retractable awnings can be custom-sized by the inch, so it is possible to scale the retractable awning perfectly to match the desired location.

Incorporate drop screens to provide a natural fluidity to the area. Drop screens are mounted vertically and are lowered down. In areas around pools or for existing gazebos, stairways, or decks, drop screens mark pathways and create an enclosed feeling. Drop screens also have functional benefits, such as rain, UV, glare, pollen, and bug protection for exposed sitting areas.

Basic Design Ideas

Outdoor design is tied to the senses, and the primary sense is visual. First, retractable awnings provide a visual structure to the unordered outdoors. Second, retractable awnings create a color patter; the fabric and colors in the retractable awning define the overarching palette for the rest of the space and diffuse the ambient light, creating a subtle pervasive color.

This makes selecting the retractable awning fabric vitally important. Decide the mood or the natural element to emphasize.

·        Bright greens for lush vegetation.

·        Subtle patterns in dark greens and browns or woodlands.

·        Light blues, turquoises, and golds for waters and beaches.

·        Bright oranges, reds, and yellows for tropical or desert colors.

Subtle retractable awning features, like different colored frames, tie into the overall theme and contrast with the retractable awning fabric for visual depth. Valances for traditional lateral arm (flat extension) retractable awnings can have a dozen different patterns. For smooth and fluid environments, like beach themes, look for valances with movement to them, like scallops, with sharp angles to echo the rigidity of woods. Other distinct styles can be used throughout the space, such as fluttery sheets of fabric called butterfly awnings or fan-shaped awnings which can fit in corners.

The rest of the backyard space fall into place according to the core elements defined in the retractable awnings. The key is to pay attention to the details:

·        Seating, particularly with coordinating colors, luxurious pillows and throw blankets. The style of furniture is important, depending on the size of the area delineated by the retractable awning and the functional flow of traffic.

·        Plants. Retractable awnings cool temperatures as much as 20 degrees and provide protection from the harshest light, so it is possible to fill in the outdoor area with potted plants or types of plants which are prone to drying and heat damage in full sunlight, including ferns, some kinds of palms, flowers, and fresh herbs.

·        Lighting. Solar lights, strings of lights, and side lamps all provide safe and mild outdoor lighting, which can make the outdoor space enjoyable even after twilight. The retractable awning itself can support very light objects, like Chinese paper lanterns or Christmas lights, but it’s generally a bad idea to hang things from the retractable awning since that impedes its ability to retract.

·        Heating and fans. Free standing fans or outdoor heaters carry the seasonal life of the outdoor space from early spring well into early winter. Other heating options, like chimeneas, should be placed slightly outside the retractable awning, to prevent damage to the fabric from the smoke.

Retractable awnings are an interesting alternative for interesting spaces. Retractable awnings make a huge visual impact and provide the core structure and definition for planning an outdoor living space, while being a relatively inexpensive do-it-yourself project. Retractable awnings turn any outdoor space into a canvas for expression.



By: Eric Scop

About the Author:

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