Retractable Awnings and More
So if you’ve made it to this point, you’re pretty familiar wit the benefits of retractable awnings, how retractable awnings are installed, what they can do for you, and what they’re no good for. Have you picked up the phone yet and called Sunsetter, Sunbrella, or Durasol and ordered one? If not, you’re letting the best time of year to have an outdoor awning slip away from you. Summer is prime season for having a patio awning over your deck, and you should be taking advantage of it. You can even get them now-a-days though Sams Club or Costco. I’m not sure which awning manufacturer they’re associated with, but they have awning professionals on hand who can help you out with ordering, awning specifications, awning installation tips, or even hook you up with a local awning dealer who can install it for you. Think about that, especially if you have a motorized patio awning since you’ll have to install a switch and run some electric. Lots of people don’t seem to mind working with electric when installing a retractable awning switch, but there are a lot of us who just want to stay away.
Retractable Awnings
While you’re at it, don’t forget to get some recommendations for awning cleaner, sometimes referred to as vinyl cleaner. One of the most common questions that awning owners have is how to get mold off awning material because they don’t perform proper season-end awning maintenance. If you want to keep your awning looking its best, you’ll have to care for it properly - and that means cleaning it off at least once a year. Generally, before you roll it up for the last time at the end of the summer you’ll want to wash it with some mild awning cleaner and a soft brush, dry your awning completely, and roll it up for the year. If you don’t dry it off completely, your awning will get mildew growing on it, and it’s hard to get off. Not to mention it reduces the life of the material and affects the water resistance. I promise, if you roll your awning up wet you’ll be sorry in the spring.
As far as awning maintenance goes, make sure you carefully apply some lightweight oil to the moving parts and brush off any dust or dirt. You don’t want any joints or support arms binding up over the winter, but you don’t want the thing dripping with oil, either. And if you get oil on your awning material you’re going to be in trouble. If you make a mistake and spill some, clean it up as fast as humanly possible so it doesn’t soak in. That’s about your only hope.
Good Luck!
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Retractable Awning Analysis
Relative expense and easy maintenance are two features have contributed to the popularity of retractable awnings over the years. As the name implies, you can close, or roll up these awnings to have a better control over when you shade or shelter yourself and when you expose your outdoor living area to the elements. Of course, by closing your retractable awning during inclement weather you increase its effective lifespan, but it’s always nice to sit warm and dry in a rain shower and enjoy the outdoors. Add to that fact that retractable awnings are fairly easy to install, and do-it-yourselfers can usually finish the job with a little help from a friend.
Over the years awnings have undergone many changes, all for the better. The quality has increased and the price has decreased. Modern day retractable awnings have a plethora of features that make them almost a must have for homes and commercial locations. Whether you’re interested in a motorized retractable awning or a manual version, there are plenty of manufacturers who will meet your need.
The following is a list of talking points when thinking about the benefits of retractable awnings.
Line of Sight:
Fixed awnings often block your line of sight when you try to look outdoors. Retractable awnings are installed such that they are not directly in your line of sight, and can be rolled up at any time to unblock anything they happen to hide. This makes the indoors more comfortable as well as the outdoor area.
Easy Installation:
Awning installation is a fairly simple procedure. There is generally no structural reinforcing necessary and the most complicated tool you hay have to use is a cordless drill. Under ideal circumstances, awnings can be installed by two able-bodied people in an afternoon.
Retractable:
Unlike fixed canopies, you can simple roll up your awning when you’re not using it. Even manual retractable awnings take as little as 30 seconds for one person to roll up. In the winter leave them rolled up to prolong their life.
Flexibility:
Retractable awnings are made to be installed into relatively tight places. As little as seven feet over overhead space can be accommodated in installation. Custom awnings can be made for practically anywhere as they can be suspended with spring arms or wires.
Control:
Retractable sun control shades are installed on pitch so you can ensure that water simply runs off harmlessly. Fixed awnings vertical canvases or drop-curtains do not allow you to adjust the pitch or control rainfall as well.
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