Manual Awnings

Manual retractable awnings might seem inconspicuous, but adding them to your patio or deck is one of the most brilliant ideas you may have. Awnings are stylish and incredibly functional in terms of sun protection and other elements. 

A retractable awning is also highly functional, as you can easily extend it or retract it in a matter of seconds, depending on your needs. And let’s not forget about how installing an awning can positively affect your business or home’s curb appeal. Long story short, an awning will change your life more than you may think.

If you’re in search of a retractable awning, look no further. With 35 years of experience, we know all the ins and outs of the awning industry. Whether you’re looking for manual or electric motorized awnings, we’ve got you covered - both when it comes to and commercial awnings. 

Benefits of Installing a Manual Retractable Awning 

The obvious purpose of a retractable awning is sun protection. However, it comes with many more benefits than that. Indeed, installing an awning is one of the best choices you can make when upgrading your home or business. Among the many advantages of manual awnings, we can include:

• They provide shade 

• Awnings keep the inside of your home or business cooler

• They block damaging UVA and UVB rays

• They reduce energy costs

• Convenient to use as you can retract them in seconds

• Easy to install and maintain

• Visually appealing

• Awnings protect your furniture from elements and sun bleaching

And the best thing is that you can reap all the benefits that come with retractable awnings without having to invest a fortune into building a permanent or separate outdoor structure and, in most residential and some commercial cases, not having to obtain a permit. Awnings are incredibly straightforward to install, maintain, and repair if necessary. 

How to Choose Your Perfect Retractable Awning

Retractable awnings come in a multitude of shapes and sizes, so you should easily find the right fit for your patio or deck. However, these are not the only factors you should consider when choosing an awning. Besides shape and size, you need to also think about the design, material type, waterproof versus water-resistant fabric, manual versus motorized, installation process, and additional features. Below is a more detailed breakdown of all these factors:

Fabric

Although retractable awnings are made of numerous fabrics, what they all have in common is that they block UV rays and are water-resistant. In general, there are four main materials you can choose from when buying a manual awning. These fabrics are:

• Canvas: The traditional fabric used in awnings, canvas is natural, flexible, and affordable. However, although usually durable, canvas can be prone to damage from weather exposure. If you’re looking for a canvas awning, the best choice would be one coated with protective solutions.

• Acrylic: If you live in an area with more unpredictable weather, then an acrylic awning is a great choice. Acrylic is extremely durable and weather resistant, making it an ideal pick for the outdoors. For longevity against the fading of acrylic, it is best to purchase a solution-dyed acrylic versus standard acrylic.

• Polyester: This synthetic fabric is well known for its durability and budget-friendliness. Additionally, polyester is water-resistant and lightweight but does tend to fade/discolor fast.

• PVC: Polyvinyl chloride, PVC for short, is another, next to polyester, the popular synthetic fabric used for awnings. It’s mostly known for its water resistance, which can make it more prone to molding.  It’s more vulnerable to rips and tears.

Frame Material

Besides the fabric an awning is made of, you should also pay attention to the frame material. In most cases, you’ll have to decide between steel and aluminum. The first is more durable, sturdy, and can withstand practically any weather condition. It’s more costly, though, and heavier to install. Aluminum, on the other hand, is slightly less durable but more lightweight. It’s also much more budget-friendly. Today almost all manual and motorized retractable awning frames are made from aluminum.

Extending Mechanism

As for manual retractable awnings, most models come with a simple, detachable hand crank that opens and closes the retractable arms. Usually, opening and retracting an awning takes a few seconds.

Installation

You should be able to install an awning to the exterior wall, soffit, or roof. However, it’s vital to check whether your exterior substrate (wood, brick, concrete block, marble, etc.) is suitable for awning installation. There’s a chance you might need to adjust an anchoring method to your exterior substrate. If you have any doubts, feel free to contact us! Our structural engineer/professional engineer (SE/PE) will provide you with all the information necessary.

Why Trust Us?

All our retractable awnings are made of top-quality materials, and you can easily choose between different fabrics, materials, sizes, etc. With 35 years of experience, we’ve built ourselves the reputation of one of the most reliable awning providers in the industry. And if you don’t trust us, be sure to check out the review section and see what our clients have to say.