Construction & Contractors Blog
Creating a space you can enjoy like a patio or deck can give you a place to relax outside your home. However, adding additional protection with several types of retractable awning systems can take that space to another level and allow you to use it when the sun is high overhead or light rain is falling.
Exterior Awning Systems
A patio or deck can be a great spot to start the day or a place to retreat and relax after a hard day's work. During some parts of the year, the sun gets too hot overhead to sit outside without some shade, but retractable awnings allow you to deploy a cover over the space that provides some shade.
Retractable awnings offer flexibility and can be used when needed, then stowed inside a protective housing to protect the fabric from damage when not in use. If you are not using the awning, closing it will help reduce sun damage and can extend the life of the canvas.
Retractable awnings come in several sizes and styles that allow you to customize them to your needs, and most manufacturers have several canvas prints to choose from. Setting up the awning to fit your space is not difficult, and most companies offer installation, so all you have to do is order the unit you want, and they will do the rest.
Power Versus Manual Operation
Most retractable awning systems offer the option to open and close the awning with a hand crank or an electric motor. The manual systems have less to go wrong and can be used when the power is out, but if you don't have the strength to crank the handle, a power unit may be a better choice.
The power deployment systems may require the installer to run power to the unit, but the ability to flip a switch to open the awning can be helpful. The dealer or installer you are working with to order your awning can help you decide if the power retracting system is worth the added cost for your situation.
Care And Use
Retractable awnings typically stand up to daily usage, but they should not be used in high winds or heavy rain. If the fabric gets wet and then rolled up into the housing, it can mold, so it is often necessary to leave the awning open after a rain shower for a while to dry.
If the awning is open and the winds start to pick up, close the awning to protect it from damage. If you leave it open, the awning can act like a sail and catch the wind. The result is often a torn awning, or worse, it could get pulled off the building. Your dealer can go over all the use and care items with you to help you get the most life from your system.
For more information about retractable awnings, contact a local company.
Share10 October 2022
A lot of contracting work takes time — sometimes weeks, sometimes months, and sometimes years. As such, when contractors finally get finished with a project, they often like to step back and take a good look at what they've created. This is their time to be proud, and they certainly deserve to be. When we step back and take a similar look at the work of contractors, we feel awe. We may not have built the thing, but we understand the work that went into it. After you read some articles on this website, you'll have a good understanding of the work, too.
