Retractable awnings are a great and economical way to shade your deck or patio. Whether it is the shelter from the sun's intense rays that you are seeking, or simply trying to jazz up your backyard, the many benefits of such an awning will add value and aesthetics to your home.

The variety available is ideal for your patios, decks, balconies, terraces, poolside, and even for spreading them over your Jacuzzi.

Available in various sizes, both large and small, these large awnings are suitable for commercial establishments, as well as for homes where a large expanse is required to be covered. The smaller sized awnings are great for the windows and doors.

The Benefits Of Retractable Awnings

These awnings add comfort and safety to your outside living. They provide you the opportunity to expand your outdoor living space. In addition, they add value to your home without the problems and high cost of construction. They also have the potential to vastly improve, both, the appearance and the functionality of your home and business premises.

Your inspiration and creativity, in using these awnings can enhance the character of your building, by accentuating the architecture and reflecting your distinct taste.  In addition, they cover the exterior flaws, and beautify the outside of your home and buildings.

The different color combinations serve different purposes. Bright color combinations in awnings bring warmth, and a feeling of gaiety. For a shady and a cool environment, go for these awnings made with blue striped canvases. If you wish to bring a cheerful atmosphere to your place, opt for awnings that have light filtering through various shades of red.

Let us look at the benefits that such awnings provide us with:

• Aesthetics – The awnings that provide cover to the patios, windows, doors, etc, add to the aesthetics, elegance and beauty of your home.
• Protection From Fading - Retractable patio awnings protect your indoor furniture, carpeting, wallpaper and furnishings, among others, from fading. In addition, they retain room brightness also. They protect your outdoor furniture fabric from fading, too.
• Saving Construction Costs - These awnings provide you with extra space in your house, condo, or commercial establishment without construction costs. In addition, you need not employ the services of a general contractor or architect. They are also significantly less expensive than any permanent construction, and are like adding an extra room.
• Protection From Rain – If you opt for water resistant fabrics for your awnings, you can easily keep the rain off your patio, deck, terrace, balcony, poolside, driveway, and Jacuzzi, and away from your windows and doors also. This enables you to enjoy your bar-be-que on the deck, or patio, and the rain at the same time. 
• Saving On Energy – Depending on the type of fabric used on these awnings you have opted for, you can reduce interior heat in your home and business premises during periods of sunlight, by as much as 77 percent. According to a study by the American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), using solution dyed acrylic fabrics on awnings used as patio covers, window awnings, or as a sun protection system, have shown energy efficiency by lowering your electric bill.

Such fabrics come with a 5 year warranty against fading, mildew and rotting, and are known to last anything between 12 to 15 years. Such patio awnings lower indoor temperatures by as much as 15 degrees, and reduce sunlight and glare by as much as 94 percent.

Another advantage of retractable awnings is that they can be rolled up, or retracted, during inclement weather, unlike the permanent, fixed awnings. During high winds, hail, heavy rain, etc, they do not rip apart as they are closed up. Similarly, in winters they do not collapse due to the weight of snow, as permanent awnings do.

These awnings retract fully against the house or the building, and only the valance – the ornamental drapery hung across a top edge - is visible from the front. Based on the weather conditions, you can retract your awnings for maximum light exposure, or open them up for shade.

As these awnings do not have poles, posts, or vertical legs, children and pets do not get hurt, as they would by running into poles. In addition, the view is not impaired due to vertical legs, etc. Today, most suppliers of these awnings offer you the option of motorization along with wind sensors, rain sensors, timers, and remote control devices for ease of operation.

In addition to their practical functionality, these awnings create an unobstructed, and a harmonious and fluid transition between 'inside' and 'outside' of your home and commercial establishment. An awning covering your patio becomes an extension of your home and living space, and in front of your store, an extra business generating space.

To make use of this wonderful product, you can have retractable patio awnings made to order also.