Retractable awnings are a great way to add value and function to your home. Adding retractable awnings to you external doors and windows keeps you home cooler in summer.
You can add a number of different types of shading device to your home to keep you home cooler in summer, like patio covers or awnings. And if you're considering awnings there are different types of awnings to choose from. What are the benefits of retractable awnings compared to fixed awnings.
It sounds silly but you need to remember that a fixed awning is fixed in one place so you can't move it at all. This is the cause of a number of problems. Firstly it needs to be fixed in place and usually an arm or post of some kind is used. This can look a little ordinary. Worse, once your awning is fixed it cannot be taken down, at least not without a lot of trouble, so having fixed awnings is a real problem in bad weather, like storms. At best they will bang and thrash, at worst break or tear or even get torn down. In times like these fixed window covers are not a good idea.
If there's a storm coming you could always of course take them all down but it's time consuming and hard work, and who is really going to do that? It's very common for fixed window covers to be damaged.
And a fixed awning gets the worst of the sun and the rain too. It is repeatedly wet then dry, and fades and rots from the action of the sun and rain. Then you've got the expense and trouble of buying new awnings.
They will fade in the sun too.
So it gets more expensive over time replacing awnings, and of course it's a hassle to do so.
And if the arms of the awnings are made of steel they rust and need to be replaced as well.
On the plus side, the initial cost of fixed awnings is cheaper.
But a retractable awning, although more expensive initially, has some big advantages. If a storm is coming just retract your awnings. No worries about sun damage or rain damage, so they last much longer.
And although they keep your house cool on a hot day they can be retracted on cool days. And if there is a stormy day and you're not at home you can protect your awnings with motion or even rain sensors to retract them automatically.
And there's no fixed arms or poles to rust or rot.
Retract your awnings on a cool day and keep the light in the house, put them out on a hot day to keep the heat out.
It's a no brainer really, a retractable awning is more expensive to buy, but when you consider the advantages it's the only awning to own. Buy a retractable awning every time.
Author Resource:
Head over to Peters website Awnings Explained to learn more about retractable awnings as well as patio awnings
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