It's not hard to remember the blinding glare off an unprotected porch or the scalding concrete by a swimming pool or the stuffy, still air by a west-facing window. Retractable awnings and patio covers use a simple but effective trick to control pounding heat and glare and UV rays: they block the sun.

An awning blocks sunlight before it ever reaches a door, window, porch or deck. This means that all the heat and energy coming from the sun is stopped before it can touch the surface of your home – and that makes retractable awnings more effective at controlling heat and UV rays than even the highest rated blinds and thermal glazed windows. There are even studies to back it up – retractable awnings can lower air conditioning use by 77%.

Lateral arm folding awning
(click to enlarge)

The patio covers style porch awnings provide such an easy natural way to control heat and light that they've been used for literally thousands of years.

In a ring around the Mediterranean – Italy Greece, Egypt – seaside villages and boats all used simple canvas awnings to block the sun. The materials have gotten more durable, the styles have gotten more graceful, but the key reasons for using retractable awnings are still the same:

• Retractable Awnings control the amount of light indoors
• A Retractable Awning reduces both indoor and outdoor temperatures by as much as 20 degrees
• Awnings and Patio Covers protect people and furnishings from damaging UV rays, glare, sun and heat
• Retractable Awnings and Patio Covers save on electricity and air conditioning costs
• Awnings add a colorful touch of style that fuses with any architectural style
• Retractable Awnings add property value to your home or business
• Patio Covers and Awnings increase your outdoor living space
• Retractable Awnings save on construction costs. Significantly less costly than most permanent construction, and it's like adding an extra room
• Rain protection - Awnings easy to keep light rain off your terrace, deck, patio, balcony, hot tub, poolside, and driveway

Forli Patio Cover System (click to enlarge)

Along with traditional door, window and patio awnings, RetractableAwnings.com offers over two dozen styles of retractable awnings and patio covers, from freestanding canopies to compact domes - whether commercial awnings or for residential use. The variety of sizes and shapes allows you to find the perfect awning for the perfect location – even for yachts and RV awnings.

Retractable Awning fabrics

RetractableAwnings.com assembles its retractable awnings from components made by the finest European manufacturers, and no one can match our selection or quality:

• Nearly 30 different awning frame styles for everything from patio awnings to RV awnings or porch awnings for residential and commercial awning applications.
• Over 400 fabrics in solids, stripes, and patterns that are UV resistant (unlike older canvas awning materials)
• Different remote control options, keypads, and timers
• Seven different types of environmental sensors
• Silk screen options for commercial awnings

Siracusa retractable patio cover

Lateral folding arm awning

Ravenna retractable patio cover

Parma vertical drop awning