Imagine having dinner with your friends on your patio and being interrupted by a drizzle, ruining your evening. How about if you want to enjoy a beautiful summer day outside but can’t because the sun is scorching?
Maybe your windows also face the direction of the afternoon sun, causing your home to heat up uncomfortably and spiking your air conditioning bills. Now, how about if there was a solution for these issues that’s both affordable and appealing?
Installing retractable awnings to your home is a suitable solution for these problems and more. Whether you want to install them for your door, windows or patio, retractable awnings bring various benefits to your home. Apart from providing you with the much-needed shade from the elements, they add value to your home by their visual appeal and functionality.
This article shares six reasons your home needs retractable awnings.
1. You can extend your living space
Being able to create extra living space in your home outdoors is always a welcome idea. Your exterior walls shouldn’t define your home and living space. Retractable awnings allow you to do just that. You can easily create an extension space for your relaxation or entertain guests more comfortably.
They’re an excellent way of extending your living space, only with more flexibility than fixed awnings.
When you extend your retractable awning, you automatically add to your living space, allowing you to utilise your exterior space to the maximum. At times when you don’t require it, you can always retract it. However, you’ll find that there are different sizes and designs of retractable awnings for every space. You can view here to get more information on styles and designs.
2. For better protection from the elements
Whether or not you furnished your deck or patio, a retractable awning offers better protection for your outdoor spaces. Too much exposure to rain, snow or ultraviolet rays can damage your deck, windows and furniture. Awnings provide a shade that will keep them from damage and deterioration.
Also, consider the amount of heat coming from the outside through the windows as not all of it is needed in your home.
It can also increase the rate at which your flooring and furniture near the windows deteriorate as well. Having retractable awnings is a cost-effective way of protecting your home and furnishings. This is because they offer a better shelter than typical shades.
An added benefit of being retractable is adding or folding them as and when you need to for better protection from the elements.
3. They help prevent water damage
Generally, awnings help keep water and excess sunrays away from the deck, doors and windows. But retractable ones allow you to let in the sun when you need to. Without the correct balance of elements coming through to your windows, doors and deck, you may find yourself constantly dealing with sun damage and leaks.
If water or too much sun penetrates into your house or deck, it can cause warping and mould and mildew growth. Installing awnings that you can retract with ease, when needed, over these areas can prevent your home from damage and save you from incurring huge repair costs.
4. They add beauty and visual appeal
Retractable awnings come in various styles, designs, fabrics, patterns and colours for every home style. It’s entirely possible to find an awning that matches your patio or deck furniture cushions or your home’s exterior wall colours.
Adding awnings to your windows, patio and front entry creates a stunning first impression for visitors and neighbours.
When looking to sell your home, your home’s increased visual appeal can also help you sell it sooner. Visually attractive homes have been shown to fetch a higher resale value. A retractable awning adds to the beauty and also the value of your home.
5. You get more versatility and control
While both fixed and retractable awnings offer the same benefits above, retractable awnings allow you greater control, making them more versatile. If you don’t need an awning, you can simply fold it up and keep it out of the way. Depending on the time of day and the sun’s angle, you can also partially retract it to the level of your liking.
In addition, there are many ways to operate them, such as using a push button on the wall, remote control or an app on your smartphone. With the rise of smart home automation, you don’t need to be at home to operate your retractable awning. For example, you can keep your pets or upholstery dry until you return home if you have them outside when it starts raining.
6. They give a good return on investment
When all’s said and done, you want to know that spending your money on a retractable awning is a good investment. Besides, you must also consider installation and maintenance costs. However, retractable awnings are quite affordable, and they help you protect your property from harsh weather conditions.
You can incur significant costs repairing and replacing window panes and wood on your deck from water and sun damage. But by installing these awnings on your home, you may reduce such losses and save money. Also, being able to regulate the heat coming in through your windows can also keep you from paying high energy bills.
Being retractable also means you can avoid costly repairs incurred with fixed awnings because you can retract or remove them during severely harsh weather that can damage them. This is a huge advantage over having permanent or non-retractable awnings that you have to keep even in unfavourable conditions like severe storms.
Remember that while the awnings are designed to be durable, there are times when extreme weather events can cause damage. This is when retracting them can save you money.
Conclusion
Before you get one, buying a retractable awning for your home might seem like an expensive investment. However, retractable awnings are a great way to make the most of your patio and deck while saving money on energy and cooling costs on your windows and doors.
They’re more versatile than fixed ones, giving you more control of how you use them. They protect your home from damage, saving you high costs and allowing you to create a comfortable living space beyond the exterior walls of your home.
