Retractable awnings are very popular worldwide because of their beauty, practicality and versatility. You can find them just about anywhere from homes to restaurants to other commercial establishments. Apart from adding beauty and increasing the value of your home or business, these shade structures also come in handy to provide protection from the harsh weather elements (such as sun, rain and snow) and prevent outdoor furnishings from fading.
They also help to reduce your energy bills significantly, which in turn saves you lots of money in the long run. And the best part is that you can take down and store them whenever you don’t want to use them.
If you’re considering investing in these types of awning, it is very important that you first learn about the different types available plus to help you make an informed choice. There are two main types of retractable awnings – manual and motorised. Continue reading to learn more about them:
Manual
Manual awnings require human power to open and close. Because of this, they come in very handy to provide the much needed shade in homes or businesses without electricity or those that experience frequent power interruptions. Note that most of the products today are made in such a way that they don’t require too much strength to operate, so you shouldn’t find any problems handling your manual awning. So, why should you choose a manual awning?
For starters, the initial cost of a manual awning is much less that of its motorised counterpart. In addition, they are very easy to set up and maintain, and have less chances of breaking down. This is because they come with vertical rods at the back, which fold down when you open the awning to provide additional support. This makes them very reliable.
But perhaps the biggest advantage they have is that they don’t require electricity to operate. This definitely helps to reduce your energy bills and saves you money.
Motorised Awnings
Motorised awnings open and close automatically with the help of an electric motor. All you need to do is to press a button on a remote control or control panel to operate them. They take less effort and time to open and close, which makes them an attractive option for people who are disabled or elderly.
Unlike a manual awning that comes with vertical support rods, the motorised version is equipped with telescoping arms that extend and retract when you open or close it. This provides a flatter, cleaner and more sophisticated look, which blends better with most modern home furnishings.
These awnings can also be equipped with sensors so they open automatically on a bright sunny day to help keep your home cool, or retract back automatically when there are strong winds or storm.
They are also more expensive to purchase and maintain when compared to manual ones. Apart from the high initial cost, you also have to pay for the electricity that their electric motor uses to operate. Low quality motorized awnings can also experience battery burnout, deteriorating parts, as well as others numerous problems, which will require you to fix. Therefore, make sure you choose a high quality awning with reliable electric motor to reduce the chances of breakdowns.
So, which type of awning should you choose? That will depend on factors such as your budget, comfort level and personal preference. So, take all the time you need to carefully weigh the pros and cons of both manual and motorised retractable awnings and decide on the right one that fits your needs.