Patio Covers Place » Patio Shades & Awnings

Solar Screens

Mike — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:07:45 +0000

The primary reason that people want to install solar screens on their home is to keep the sun out. Depending upon what you call them, they can also be considered solar shades as well. While this is obvious, what isn’t are all of the other benefits to these types of screens. We’ll touch on some of these here and also go into how you can repair a torn or ripped one. Like other types of window screens, these are really nothing more than a mesh material that has somewhat fine pattern to keep as much of the intense ultraviolet sun’s rays out of your home as possible. This adds up to not only a more comfortable indoor space, as far as temperature goes, but also less cooling costs and a protection of your furniture and other items in the room.

It’s true, the ultraviolet rays have damaging effects on the fabric materials used in furniture and rugs. If you have pictures or paintings on your walls, the sunlight can be damaging to these as well. You might know that some of the outdoor furniture fabrics are now made with ultraviolet-resistant properties. Sunbrella™ is one company that has really pioneered this advancement.

Well, a screen on your window will go a long way toward keeping the damaging rays out in the first place. The reason we include a discussion about these window screens on our patio site is that they make great sense for a patio room. If you’ve got a place you like to go to read or relax, the exposure depending upon the side of your home can be too extreme to enjoy at certain times of the year. These can greatly enhance your level of comfort in those rooms for longer stretches of time and seasons.

One of the most critical exposures on your home to consider these types of screens is the south and west exposures. These are the ones that will get the brunt of the summer sun’s intensity. The southern wall will have a longer exposure period and can heat up drastically during the longer summer days.

We’ve discussed their purpose, but not some other features of them. The mesh screen is ‘porous’ enough to easily allow you to see through it from the inside and still allows for some added privacy from outdoors. Most times, these screens appear black or a dark brown color from the outside. Some HOAs will give you a hard time about these, but you can usually win your case.

Repairing or Replacing Your Solar Window Screens

A tear like this is best replaced than patched

If you get a tear or rip in your screen with time or cleaning, you can probably repair it yourself. If the tear or rip is large enough, you might be better off just replacing the screen entirely. The process does require some tools, however. Mostly, you’ll just need a spline or splinning tool. It looks like a small pizza cutter and is used to roll the rubber or vinyl spline into the grooves in the screen’s frame. You can purchase the new screen material at your local home improvement warehouse. You may be able to reuse your old spline material. If not, you can purchase that again as well.

If you can use your existing material for measurements, that is ideal. If not, simply measure the frame and add about ½” to all sides to account for the depth of the spline track. You will just trim away any excess and cutting it too short simply will not fit. Once you’ve cut your screen to size, lay it flat over the frame – keep the screen material stretched taught – and begin using the spline roller to put the spline back into the groove, pressing the screen material in place. You’ll want to do this firmly but not excessively, as you may tear your screen material. Once complete, repeat this step on all four sides. Trim off the excess around the frame and you’re ready to put your new screen back up.

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Porch Awnings

Mike — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:39:02 +0000

The porch is becoming something of a lost feature in many homes. Now, the patio and patio living are becoming the new wave in home designs and trends. No matter what you call your space, the addition of one or more porch awnings will surely make that space a more enjoyable area to lounge in. There was a time when you could find an outdoor swing hanging from the front porch of most every home on the block. No matter that this was several decades ago, the neighborly image is still alive and well in many communities throughout the country.

What the porch offers is a place to recount the days events, share time with friends or family and just enjoy a little down time away from the hussle and bussle of daily life. Where you might consider a covered patio a more effective use of your home’s space or layout, the porch offers a more open feeling. It can provide a more inviting place to share a cool drink and a nice conversation or good book.

So, with this in mind, how do you go about shading it to keep it everything you’d like it to be? Well, the first thing to consider is the size of your porch area. If you’re talking about using this type of awning for a smaller space, then a manually operated awning will work just fine. These roll up awnings are made to easily retract, but the process can get cumbersome for some individuals and for certain applications. For larger or multiple areas, you might look into getting a motorized retractable awning. These work in the same fashion as the manual ones, they are just much more simple to operate.

Patio Awning Materials and Designs

Your awnings will consist of several parts; the framework and the fabric material itself. Most cases and moving parts are made of more durable and lightweight metals. An aluminum porch awning is probably the most common type of metal used. The fabric has come a long was as well. While you can still find canvas, it is more common to find vinyl awnings in various printed materials now. There have been advances made in the way that these fibers are spun and colored so that fading due to ultraviolet (UV) exposure has been minimized. In addition to their durability, they also keep their color, as fading is also lessened by this process. Because of the various patterns and colors available in today’s marketplace, this is welcomed news to homeowners looking to maintain that new look.

This leads to another topic, maintenance of your garden awnings. Basically, you can follow the guidelines as set forth from the manufacturer of your particular awning set. You may need to lube or oil certain moving parts. The weather and conditions in your particular zone may necessitate unique cleaning instructions. Cleaning the awning material itself is fairly straightforward.

Cleaning your patio awning is as simple as spraying with your hose and using a mild detergent solution. You can also hand wash with a non-abrasive cloth and mild detergent, then wiped clean with a dry cloth. The soap residue may interfere with the moving parts of your awning, so you’ll want to ensure that you clean them thoroughly. This alone should keep your awnings functioning well for years to come.

As you shop for these awnings for home, consider the costs for the various types we’ve discussed weighed against the maintenance and other aspects of using your patio space. If you spend much time outdoors, then it is certainly a wise idea to invest in some quality porch awnings.

Vinyl Awnings

Mike — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 13:37:11 +0000

The name here pretty much sums what this article is all about – vinyl awnings. There is one thing for sure about vinyl, it is quite durable, weathers well and is relatively inexpensive. If you are looking for a cheap alternative for your garden or patio space, then getting an awning that is constructed of this material is a good bet. What are your other alternatives? Well, you could build a patio cover, but that will require much more time or money to construct. It will also be a more permanent solution to what may be a more temporary shade need you are after. Additional options could include natural shade from trees or climbing vines and other plants.

This term, vinyl awnings, is more reflective of just the material choice. There are a wide variety of awning styles, most of which are made of vinyl. However, you can find exterior shutters that are made of bamboo, canvas, or other wood products. Let’s not forget about the fact that with a fabric awning like vinyl, you can also have them roll up and stow away when not in use. The benefit of this type of feature is that in weather that might otherwise threaten a free-standing patio cover, your roll up awnings can be safe and secure in their own protected storage case. As you might have guessed, these awnings are retractable. This retractable patio awning feature is activated either manually with a crank handle or motorized.

Motorized awnings are activated by either a switch or via a light sensor. The switch can be turned on by hand or with a remote, depending upon your particular unit. Also, you can use a timer to have your patio awnings open and retract when ever you like. The light activated model will be triggered to open or retract depending upon the movement of the sun in the sky.

Why vinyl makes such a great choice for garden awnings is that it is both flexible and durable. It can be washed with a simple mild detergent and hosed off. This makes them quite durable to resist the effects of the weather and also from dirt and grime. Many newer awnings are also able to better resist the effects of the UV light on the fabric as well. The newer vinyl awnings can give you longer lasting life to help you enjoy more time on your patio which is what they are all about.

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Garden Awnings

Mike — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:58:37 +0000

This is one of those topics where it is fairly self-explanatory to some degree. The thing about awnings is that many are made of the same material while only some have more specific uses. Well, in the case of garden awnings, we are simply talking about a type that is used in a garden space. Now, depending upon where you live in the country or where you are from, you might have different ideas about what a ‘garden space’ is. For some of us, the garden is a place where we grow plants or vegetables. It is hard to imagine that it would serve as a place for get togethers or as a gathering place. However, for some, this is exactly what it is. The outdoor room or garden room as it can be called, is one such place that will become the favorite gathering place for you and your guests.

What you need in order for your space to feel comfortable is the use of garden awnings. Again, because we are mostly referring to the location that the awning will be used and not a specific type of awning, per se, a discussion about basic awning features and functions will work here. For one point of interest, awnings come in a variety of styles and fabrics. What one person calls an awning, another refers to it as a canopy. It really is inconsequential what you call them, as long as you know what you want. And, what you want is something that will provide you shade when you want it and where you need it. In the case of a true garden space, at least in terms of how we see things around here at Patio Covers Place, an awning could really help you to get some great sun exposure when needed and avoid over ‘cooking’ your plants in the intense summer sun.

To some, the term garden awning and garden canopy are synonymous. To some degree, we would agree with this. However, garden canopies are mostly seen as those ‘easy up’ or ‘pop-up’ style structures. These work great for temporary sun protection in a more inconspicuous area. But, if you are wanting to create a nice shaded are for your patio or garden, one of these cheap canopies is not the recommended way to go. It isn’t that there is anything wrong with these types of structures, they just will not give you quite the look of say a garden arbor or pergola would. Again, these are specific structures that you may not be interested in, so a simple canopy might fit your needs quite well. Do your research and determine if what you want is more formal patio awnings, like the retractable or motorized styles or if some of these garden awnings are more your style.

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Deck Canopies | Made In the Shade

Mike — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:13:26 +0000

The simple fact that such a thing exists speaks to the popularity of these types of canopy structures. Deck canopies are nothing more than a canopy that is used for the purposes of providing a specific area of shade for your deck or patio space. For this reason, they are often referred to as patio canopies. They come in a variety of styles. One of the most popular is the extending, roller style shade. These popular ones are like the roll up awnings, but without the swing arm mechanism.

The most popular brand of these types of canopies is the Shade Tree. What this looks like is a combination of a pergola and a roller awning. There are individual panels that can be opened or closed to allow for a specific amount of shade. They simply pull out like you would do with a roller blind in a window. Once opened, they just lock into place until released.

These Australian shade canopies are great for a more fixed-in-place larger space.

Another type of deck canopy is the ‘one-piece’ variety. Not necessarily better or worse, this style is used to provide a more consistent type of shade. While they aren’t completely permanent by any means, they are a bit more tricky to move around. For this reason, something like the more flexible Shade Tree is a great option. However, with this one-piece canopy cover, you can attach patio lights or other types of deck lights that could give you a whole new dimension to your patio.

Because a deck is sometimes only several inches to a few feet off the ground, they may blend in with a garden space. If this is the case, then the term garden canopy may be used to describe this type of shade. Again, it really doesn’t change what it is, just the name to describe where it is being used. Some of these can describe a slightly less substantial shade canopy though. In other words, there are fairly inexpensive ($100-150 USD) canopies that are made of vinyl or polyester fabrics that are temporary in nature. These are what you might find at local farmer’s markets or other outdoor fairs. We’ve all seen them. While they are quite handy and durable, using them for your deck or patio as something more permanent is a bit less desirable of a look.

While your neighbors are probably not going to be judging you, it will still be a better and more sustainable patio structure to go with something that is made to be more permanently placed outdoors. The materials and fabrics that make up these durable canopies have improved over the years. The current fabrics are resistant to damage from UV rays and weather the other elements well. If you do decide to go with the retractable patio awning style canopy like the Shade Tree, you will also be able to benefit by having the ability to close or retract your canopy awnings for extended periods of non-use time. While this may not be an issue in the more hospitable climates of the desert southwest, if you live in the colder climates, your patio season may be less lengthy. What ever style you choose, you’ll be happy to have your new deck canopies for your next patio season.

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Roll Up Awnings

Mike — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:57:57 +0000

With most types of awnings or patio shades, the main factor that is being addressed is shade. Let’s face it, there isn’t much else that a patio awning is really supposed to do. However, you can get shade for your patio or deck using other structures and patio accessories, so why are awnings the way to go? This is what we will be discussing in this article. Hopefully, you will appreciate how these roll up awnings can give you all the benefits of shade as well as some esthetic and other additional functional benefits.

There are several styles of roll up awnings to discuss. Like all patio accessories it seems, there are often several names used to discuss one item. The same is true regarding the various types of outdoor shades and awnings. Besides finding the term spelled as one word, as in ‘rollup’ awnings, you might also see these listed as retractable awnings as well. Many online vendors and outlets use some of these terms synonymously, so don’t be confused.

How They Work
The name of these particular awnings, basically describe their function. They work by way of a mechanical winding or rotor that simply rolls up the awning as it closes and unrolls it as it opens. This allows you to not only control how much shade you would like to have (in some cases) but also to open or close them only when you want.

If you live in a very sunny region, you will likely have yours open much of the time. In areas where the climate is known to swing, you might want to only keep yours open when you are using your patio to avoid damage to the awnings from the elements. This is one of the key selling points and best features of this style of awning. The fact that they can roll up gives you the ability to keep them protected while not in use. The metal tube into which your awning is stored does a great job of keeping them safe from water, sun, and dirt and grime.

What Kinds Are There?
The main types are the manual or motorized styles. A manual roll up awning will have a crank handle that you simply turn to open or close your shade. It can be locked away when not in use, so the handle is out of the way. These are typically less costly than the motorized awnings.

The motorized awning comes in several styles as well. Aside from them all being electrical, the differences are in how the opening or closing takes place. You can get these to operate by way of a switch. These would require you to turn them ‘on’ and ‘off’ to open and close them. Then, there are motorized versions that operate by way of using a remote. Same mechanical means of function, but with the ability to open or close them right from your chaise lounge. Finally, there is the automatic retractable patio awning. This one opens and closes following either a timer or can be activated by light. In other words, you could either set it to open at the time you would normally go out to sit and close in the evening or allow the sun to open and close your awnings for you. What ever type of style you choose, roll up awnings will certainly make your patio time more comfortable and enjoyable.

The Three Most Popular Types of Exterior Shutters

Mike — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:29:09 +0000

I’d like to introduce you to the three different types of exterior shutters that are considered the most popular for homes that are concerned about security, safety and privacy. Each one has it’s own unique look, and the one that you choose will largely depend on your own personal tastes, and the decor of your home.

The first and most popular style is the louvered shutter. Quite simply, this style of shutter consists of horizontal louvers running along the length of the shutter at regular intervals. The best thing about this style is that the louvers can be adjusted to allow as much or as little light into your home as desired. This functionality cannot be achieved by any other style of shutter, and this is the reason why it remains the favorite.

This is the board and batten type of exterior shutter.

The second type is the board and batten. This is where you place a number of vertical boards together, quite often using a tongue and groove joint, and then reinforce them with a batten at the top and bottom of the shutter, and optionally along the middle as well. This style has a very rustic appeal, and is great in country style houses, as it looks a little bit like a barn door. This would work well with some rustic lighting as well.

The final style is the raised panel. This is generally a single length of wood with some panels attached. It is completely solid, and therefore provides the best protection for your home. This is the style many people choose if they live in areas that are known for heavy storms and hurricanes. With the recent worries about climate change, more and more people are starting to realize that they need to do more to protect their homes, and shutters are a great place to start.

Any one of these types of shutters is going to cost you a fair amount of money to purchase and get installed, and you are going to want to ensure that you are happy with your choice before laying down the money and purchasing your shutter. If you want to see a full range in order to ensure you don’t miss the perfect solution for you, then I would suggest you do some research online. Don’t forget that amongst the three types of exterior shutters mentioned here, there are both vinyl and wood solutions, and a huge range of colors and shades.

If you need to match your exterior shutters with a roman blind or some other type of window covering, then a bit of research should uncover the perfect style for your needs. For more styles of patio shades and blinds, you can search our category section.

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Solar Shades – A Great Help To Your Patio Comfort

Mike — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:46:06 +0000

In an attempt to get the most shade we can from our patio spaces, we have invented all sorts of blinds, shades, screens, covers and shutters. You name it and we’ve built it in our efforts to get more time available to comfortably enjoy the space on our patios. To be clear, we here at Patio Covers Place didn’t invent things like these solar shades, we are just happy that someone did. And, the materials and functionality of the types available continue to grow.

Now, before you get too confused about what a solar shade is exactly, it depends in part on what you are looking for. Technically speaking, any shade or blind could be considered a ‘solar’ one. After all, they are all intended to block the harsh sun and provide a cool place to rest and relax. In this sense, even an exterior shutter could be classified in this category. Classically, the term has referred to those shade screens that consist of a fine mesh, through which only small amounts of light will pass. You can see through them, so they are not really blackout blinds. These are great for enclosed patio or sunrooms. Other types of outdoor shades are designed specifically for your outer patio covered area.

Solar shades can be fabrics or this more modern and 'green' take.

Solar window shades are by far the most common way to provide for comfort inside your home. They usually take the form of that fine mesh we mentioned that can either be fixed in place – solar screen shades – or can roll down to cover your window at specific times of your choosing. These solar roller shades can be operated with a manual cord mechanism or can be motorized. And, in fact, the motorized versions can even open and close using a switch, timer or solar sensor. The last of these, the sensor, operates much like a night light in your bathroom or hallway. When the sun comes up and begins to hit the sensors to trigger your solar shading, down they come to keep your space cool.

This same type of technology has been employed for your outdoor shades as well. In fact, these automatic solar shades are the ones that seem to provide the least hassle and most convenient way to get that level of comfort you are seeking from your patio space. You’ve probably seen or been places that employ not only patio shades, but those patio misters as well. These mist systems supply your patio with a cool water mist that can lower the temperature of your patio by up to 30 degrees F according to certain manufacturer statistics. When you combine a great solar shade set up with these misters, you can actually have a very comfortable space, even in the middle of desert summer.

The types of solar shades that you can get fixed on to your windows for your home claim to block out as much as 90% of the suns UV rays. This is great not only for temperature control within your home, but also for protection of your indoor furniture and carpeting. It is well known how the effects of ultraviolet light affect fading and premature aging of fabrics exposed to the sun.

This knowledge is what has led companies like Sunbrella™, a leader in this area, to develop a solar shade fabric that resists UV fading. These solar fabrics have made not only shades more resistant, but also patio awnings, patio blinds even patio cushions have benefited. The same technology is available in all of these outdoor products as well. So, whether you are looking for a manual style, motorized style or a combination of both, outdoor solar shades will get you out on your patio where you belong more of the time and in greater comfort at that.

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Patio Blinds – For Outdoor Shade and Privacy

Mike — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:33:04 +0000

No matter what you call them, you need to have some type of shade for your patio. The more flexible that shading is, the more you can enjoy your patio space more of the time. Patio blinds are just one great way to get both privacy and shade for your patio space. We’re not going to ask what you do out there, but you certainly don’t want your peering neighbors privy to your every move out there.

Plus, when it is in the middle of the summer or you just need some shade to hang out there a bit longer, pulling the string or pressing the button can bring you instant relief. We say this because there are, in fact, both manual and motorized blinds and shades. The manual patio blind is still the most common and is fairly simple to operate. In most cases, these styles either roll down or have a roman blind type of function, where each panel ‘slides’ down.

This rendition shows patio blinds that will block the sun and provide great privacy.

Motorized styles will have a guide wire or track in which the blinds will ride down as they unroll or slide. In either style, the end result is a type of ‘faux wall’ that is created. This appearance of a semi-enclosed patio can provide you with more comfort in the shade and a sense of privacy. Because you can still see through them unless you have a solid fabric material, you don’t feel too enclosed or trapped in a small space.

Speaking of materials, you can find outdoor shades made in a variety of fabrics and materials. The trend is moving toward more organic materials that represent a sustainable and environmentally friendly options. One perfect example of this style is bamboo blinds. Bamboo is both a natural resource, but is sustainable because it is actually a grass. This grass grows very quickly and will withstand the outdoor elements on your patio quite well.

Other patio shades that stand up well to the outdoors are the heavier canvas materials and those made with Sunbrella. This Sunbrella brand fabric is dyed during the stage of production when the fabric material is still and is therefore locked into the final product when it is dried. This helps to keep them fade free and weather resistant. At Patio Covers Place, we tend to be in favor of quality materials and above all else environmental and sustainable patio products and accessories.

For this reason, we must weigh product materials versus longevity to determine a products real impact to the planet. Often, what might seem like an environmentally poor choice, like plastic and polymer-type materials, can actually be better for us in the long run because these materials last longer. If, for example, you can end up using a patio blind for a longer period of time, it means it is usually of better quality and it also means that it is less waste for our landfills. This makes certain fabric choices winners in the long-term.

Outdoor patio blinds come in a variety of patterns and colors as well. If you are trying to match the theme of your home or simply your exterior paint color, you should have no problem. Something that is not often considered with this type of discussion is the savings in your indoor cooling costs as well. If you can provide more shade to your patio, then your cooling costs will be less because of less sun exposure. This is just another reason to buy quality and consider it an investment that pays for itself. Pricing for your blinds will vary depending upon the amount of coverage you are looking for. Don’t be suckered in by going just for the cheap blinds to save on your initial investment. You’ll be happy that you opted to go for the quality patio blinds.

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Retractable Patio Awning

Mike — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:26:11 +0000

A retractable patio awning is one of the most versatile types of outdoor shades if used in the right setting. By setting, we mean to say that there are certain applications where the use of an awning will not give you the desired shade or coverage for your particular needs. Take, for example, direct overhead sun. Depending upon your needs, you may opt for a more permanent covered patio, rather than an awning that is retractable.

There are ways to shade your patio and then there are ways to shade your patio. If you are used to the simple and temporary ways of doing it by using a patio umbrella or other type of patio canopy, then you are in for some education. These previous styles can work quite well for specific shading needs, but if you are looking to step up the look and function of your patio space, then you need to look at a more professional type of awning.

Now, having said this, there are hybrid awning-patio cover structures that accomplish both of these demands. We talked about these structures in previous articles here at Patio Covers Place. Briefly, what they look like are either pergolas or other four posted units, with the awnings that run along tracts on the ‘roof’ of the structure. So, what you end up with are individual panels that can be retracted or closed to allow for more variable shading. This can be great for those times when you want a little bit of both sun and shade.

Typical patio awnings can be anything from a fix-mounted unit to something that has the ability to fold up out of the way. A fix-mounted patio awning is the way that you will save the most money. You can get these made with a variety of materials and fabrics that withstand the elements quite well. The frames for these types of awnings are usually made of a light gauge steel and powder coated for rust protection or they can be made with aluminum. Both styles of frames come in various colors to match your awning or home decor preferences. The awnings themselves also come in a wide variety of colors and prints. A classic awning has a bold striped pattern, but solid colors are also a very common way to go.

Patio Awnings Come In Different Shapes and Sizes

Your awnings may also come with different types of trim. You may have a solid straight edge or you can get a number of different trim styles, like scalloped edges. These are all available in both the fixed and retractable awning styles. The main difference between the two is in appearance and your specifications.

Most retractable patio awning styles come in both a manual and an automatic version. The way that the awning retracts or unfolds is usually similar between the two. A manually operated awning is opened and closed by way of a crank. As you crank on the handle, the awning opens or closes. These work just fine, but some people have personal situations where operating them by hand is either not possible or simply inconvenient.

Here are some images of retractable awnings with a scalloped edge and drop-down extra sun protection in desert tan.

In these cases, you can opt for one of the motorized versions. Motorized awnings work in basically the same way as the manual styles, except that they are powered. These can be operated in several ways as well. There are styles that come with switches, remotes or timers. For example, you can have a switch located just inside of your patio and just turn it on and it will open all by itself. It will do the same in reverse when you are wanting to go back in for some time and don’t want it to remain open for any number of reasons – we’ll discuss a few of these further on in this article.

The remotes work on the same principle, it is just that they can be opened or closed from anywhere on your patio or indoors, not relying on a fixed switch mounting position. The final option is to have your retractable patio awning controlled by a timer or sensor. These work either by opening or closing at specific times that you can set. The sensor styles are opened or retracted by sensing the sun in the sky. As it rises or sets, your sensor picks this up and allows your patio to achieve just the amount of sun or shade you desire and at just the right times!

Buying and Maintaining Your Retractable Patio Awning

Some things to think about when purchasing or owning a retractable awning include cost, maintenance, installation and safety concerns. If you are considering a purchase, then you are likely aware that these styles are a bit more expensive than the fixed-mounted awnings. For a quality retractable awning, expect to pay approximately $1,500-2,000 USD for a standard 10’ x 10’ awning. You can find cheaper ones, but you may be sacrificing quality. You can also find more expensive ones which probably are the motorized ones with sensors and the like. Custom sizes can also be ordered which will obviously up the price tag. However, a proper fitting awning is what you are really after. The long-term returns for a perfectly sized, quality retractable awning far outweigh any short-term savings.

With proper care, you should enjoy a quality retractable awning for many years. There have been great strides in materials and parts over the years, so operation is smooth, quiet and quite quick. Generally speaking, cleaning your patio awning fabric itself can be accomplished using a simple solution of water and mild detergent. Follow your manufacturer’s directions for any stains that you may acquire to ensure that you don’t permanently damage or stain your awning. As far as the motorized parts are considered, there is not too much to worry about there. Occasional lubrication depending upon conditions will also keep your awning opening and closing smoothly for years.

When it comes to installation concerns, this aspect would best be left up to the professionals that can be recommended by your awning retailer. It isn’t that they are very difficult to install, just some issues with precision measurements and proper mounting will not only keep you safe but also make sure your awning functions properly. A poor installation can give you safety issues. This isn’t to say that an avid and handy DIYer couldn’t do this project, it would just need to be done right.

Safety is not something you want to be thinking about when all you want to do is be out there relaxing. This is actually another benefit of a retractable awning over a fixed-mounted style. The retractable styles can be closed during inclement weather to protect them from wind damage or other flying debris in a serious storm. These awnings roll up or fold into their own protective aluminum case for safe storage.

For these reasons, motorized awnings make great sense. Whatever style you decide upon, know that just having them is more than half the battle. Don’t struggle with the decision for too long, you’re missing out on all the enjoyment you could be having out on your patio. Pick up or order some type of retractable awning and kick your feet up by next weekend.

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