Purchasing a retractable awning for your home may seem to be a major investment but it is a worthy investment. In addition to providing shade for you and your family, retractable awnings provide a variety of other important benefits to homeowners that can help save money in the short term while providing the privacy you seek. To have a full scope of the benefits of purchasing a retractable awning, here are five crucial reasons to make this worthwhile investment.
Add Curb Appeal
With a variety of stylish options from which to choose, retractable awnings can match the décor of your home, thus increasing the curb appeal which helps for resale. Awnings are available in a variety of materials like aluminum, canvas, plastic or even simple fabric. This gives you the flexibility to choose the best option that suits your climate. Another option is to select a manual or automatic awning. The manual versions utilize a hand crank or pull string for opening and closing. The motorized version can be extended or retracted by flipping a switch. There are additional options such as programmable wind sensors and even timers to set based on the position of the sun.
Backyard Vacation
A retractable awning can be an extension of comfort from your home into your outdoor space. By selecting a motorized model, you can instantly create a shelter with a single press of a button. This will prompt you to spend more time outside on the patio or deck. While the price of purchasing a high-quality awning may interfere with your summer vacation budget, with a vacation may only lasting one-to-two weeks, your new awning will last for many years. Therefore, the extra time spent in the backyard will feel like you are taking an extended vacation during the spring, summer and fall seasons.
Big Energy Savings
The greatest advantage of investing in a retractable awning is the increased energy savings. When the awning is down providing shade and the air conditioner is operating inside, the unit will not have to work as hard to keep your home cool. This results in lower monthly electricity bills and major savings over a long-term period. By blocking the sunlight reaching the interior of your home, this can reduce the overall amount of energy required to cool each room. During the winter, the awning can then be retracted to allow additional natural light to flow through the windows thus reducing the amount of required heat.
Prior to making the investment, take some time to determine where on your house an awning will be most beneficial. While placing the awning over a porch or deck may seem to be the best option, smaller awnings can be installed anywhere the sun enters the home.
Outdoor Furniture Protection
While this may seem less obvious, a retractable awning can protect your indoor and outdoor furniture from the sunlight. UVA rays cause the pigment in furniture to fade with regular exposure. By providing additional shade to one or several of your rooms, fabric and furniture will be shielded from the harmful rays of the sun. This will help extend the life of some of your furniture by protecting it from the bleaching effect.
Sun Protection
Prior to every summer, the medical community educates society on the dangers of prolonged exposure to the sun. Unless you are planning to move to Antarctica in the near future, sun exposure and enjoying the outdoors are synonymous. UVA and UVB rays can damage your skin. However, by blocking the sun with a retractable awning, your skin will be protected. You will even physically feel much cooler while still being able to enjoy the outdoors. With most awnings, a lateral arm extends the shade and if your home faces west, an additional drop valance can provide shade when the sun is low in the sky.
Retractable awnings are an excellent addition to any home. They provide privacy, protection, shade and can result in huge yearly cost savings on electricity. Awnings are extremely customizable and can be fabricated to fit any environment.
