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:

Sail Repair and Canvas Book Review

Three Big Considerations when choosing a Retractable Awning Company

A retractable awning is a cost-effective way to improve the appearance of your home, commercial building or trailer in a way that’s both graceful and striking. But high quality retractable awnings are also a significant purchase, just like home furnishings or landscaping, and it is important to get the best value for your investment. It is possible to find the perfect awning while staying on budget by making a good choice up-front. The most important features a retractable awning company offers are service, selection, and quality.

The Meaning of Service

In price-driven retail, one of the first things that gets sacrificed is service. When buying a retractable awning online service makes a critical difference in getting an awning you will be pleased with.

Service means more than just having a support number, and there are three quick areas to look for that indicate the level of service the company offers:

• Warranties and guarantees. Look for a minimum six year frame warranty, even for budget models. A good retractable awning company stands behind its merchandise.

• Installation support. A good retractable awning company makes the install process painless. Check their websites for measuring and installation instructions and, for the handyman-challenged, contractor information. This is an asset for online companies, which can post instructions and FAQs for fast reference.

• Selection assistance. There are options even for budget retractable awnings, from automatic sensors to hundreds of fabric styles. A customer-focused company will take the time to offer advice and answer questions.

Find What You Want

Even on a budget, standard size retractable awnings offer choices, mainly in accessories. Traditional lateral-arm retractable awnings (simple awnings that extend from the building or home using two arms) are less expensive than custom designs, and are a very popular style for budget lines. Where the individuality comes in is with all of the different options, like motors, sensors, lots of fabric colors, pitch (slope) adjustment, even valance styles and trim (binding/piping) colors.

For example, a good company will have more than 150 fabric options even for their budget lines, more than a dozen rainbows’ worth of colors and stripes. On top of that, there can be a half dozen styles for the valance, the fabric which hangs at the front edge of the awning. Customers should also be able to choose the valance trim (piping/binding) color which is located at the bottom edge of the valance. Even with a traditional lateral-arm design, those three options make it possible to craft an awning that specifically fits your house. And then add in motors and sensors to automatically retract the awning, which make the awning easier to move and last longer by protecting it from damaging weather.

If the company has good service and great 3D rendering technology, they can even help identify better colors or prints, valance styles, and accessories that will suit the style of your home and landscape and will help you use your awning more effectively.

Quality Is Key

Quality comes down to the kind of materials that the retractable awnings are made of. The materials impact how strong the awning is, how long it lasts, and how well it retains its appearance. The highest quality awnings will last for 25 years or more, good quality awnings for six to ten years, but cheaply-made awnings for two to five years or less. Reputable awning companies offer products which emphasize quality construction. Balance saving money and getting great quality by looking at the awning materials:

• Aluminum frames. Aluminum is strong, lightweight, and rustproof. Look for powder-coating, which doesn’t peel or flake, unlike painted or enameled frames.

• Stainless steel (non-rusting) hardware. Plain steel can bleed on the awning fabric and rust, harming the action of the arm movement.

• Breathable solution-dyed acrylic fabric. Vinyl, another cheap option, doesn’t breathe, so it will mildew after rain and crack in the sun. Solution-dyed acrylic is a woven fabric which is cooler, dries quickly, and doesn’t fade and will not rot or mildew for at least five years under warranty.

Conclusion: Reputation Matters

Customers will find out through experience whether a retractable awning company treats them right. A good company has 70% or 80% of their business from return customers or referrals. That’s the kind of company which provides the kind of products, quality, and service their customers expect. Service, selection, and quality materials all amount to the same thing: A great retractable awning company is focused on serving its customers.



By: Eric Scop

About the Author:

Outdoor Window Shade

Awnings are nothing but a kind of canopy. They help in preventing the harmful rays of the sun from entering the house. However, these awnings do not block the breeze from entering the house. The awnings are available in an array of colours. They can also be of different styles and can be used for different purposes. The awnings can be used to make the house look beautiful. Many people place awning overs the windows or on the terrace or balcony to give a new look to their house. Awnings are of different types. The most common type of awnings is the retractable awnings.

Apart from retractable awnings there are many other forms of awnings. The other forms of awnings include the modern and sleek designed awnings and the outdoor awnings that are manufactured for residential houses. People often install awnings on their patios and decks. The awnings are installed on the windows in such a way that it does block the outside view. The awnings can also act as a canopy for the people sitting outside during summer.

At present, awnings have gained immense popularity. They are used in most of the houses. Among the different types of awnings, the most popular awnings are the retractable awnings. The retractable awnings are used for giving shelter to people from the scorching heat of the sun. These awnings are mainly installed on the decks and patios of the house. They are also available in a variety of colours and styles.

Nationwideltd.co.uk, a premier company in the UK is engaged in the production of retractable awnings. The company manufactures high quality retractable Awnings UK. These retractable awnings are colourful and stylish. Different fabrics and material are used in the manufacture of these exterior awnings. The company uses highly skilled craftsmen for manufacturing these awnings. The retractable awnings made by this company are fitted with levers. This helps the homeowners to adjust the depth and pitch of the awnings manually.

The retractable awnings made by this company can be adjusted to any level according to the wish of the homeowner. These awnings can be extended both partially and totally. The awnings manufactured by this company have spring-loaded arms attached to the fabric. This helps to provide both little and more shade according to the wish of the homeowner. Besides, this company also provide low retractable Awnings prices to its customers. However, one can refer to www.nationwideltd.co.uk to get all the information about retractable awnings manufactured by Nationwideltd.co.uk.



By: Mattew Morgan

About the Author:

All About Wood Stoves