The 4 Types of Retractable Awnings

Is it just us or is the recent, unseasonably warm weather making you dream of spring too? Sure, we still have most of the winter to get through, and there will likely be snow in the future, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start dreaming about and planning the improvements you want to do once spring is finally, truly here. One such improvement you should be considering is the addition of retractable awnings. Awnings provide great benefits to any home and can be installed over patios as well as windows and doors. Retractable awnings provide exactly the right balance of sun and shade because you can pull them out when you need shade or store them away when you want full sun. Read on for some common types of retractable awnings.

Lateral Arm Retractable Canopy

A retractable canopy is a modernized version of the patio awning, where the fabric canopy is retractable, but the durable structure is designed to withstand inclement weather. These structures are custom built and can be as large as 30 feet wide by 15 feet deep (the length that projects and retracts). The lateral arm allows you to adjust the pitch and projection as desired.

Fold Up And Roll Up Retractable Awnings

This canopy can either fold up or roll up when you don’t want it out. With either version, the canopy pulls taught when it is extended, so that rain rolls off and the area underneath it is protected from the weather. With the fold-up version, the canopy pleats up as it retracts. The major drawback of this version is that dirt and debris can get caught in the folds. If they do, the canopy can be a little work-intensive to clean. The roll-up version of the canopy retracts onto a roller tube that is stored inside metal housing. This keeps it safe from dirt and debris, so it needs less maintenance, but it also tends to cost more than the fold-up version.

Drop Arm Awning

The weather resistant fabric for this type of awning typically is housed on a roller tube and held out from the side of the house on spring-loaded side arms. The awning is a shed style design and usually you can adjust the pitch depending on your needs.

Ribbed Awning

These awnings are unlike the others because they have sides, created where the semi-circular ribs meet the side of the building. They extend out and down in an arc, so they are best suited to small areas like over doors or windows. Ribbed awnings are strictly manual operation structures.

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