How Do Motorized Retractable Awnings Work?

Motorized retractable awnings offer people easy ways to find shade, outdoor living solutions to protect themselves from the rain and snow, and they also offer sun protection against harmful UV rays. They provide many great benefits to homeowners, but people often hesitate to purchase them because they seem complicated, and they aren’t sure how they will work.

In today’s article, we will discuss how a retractable awning works, how they’re stored, and the installation process. Let’s go!

How They Work

Retractable awnings work by rotating downward on an electric motor to provide shade when they are needed. When retracted, they store flat against the building’s exterior wall or retracting mechanism for compact storage. A typical motorized retractable patio cover is mounted on brackets at the edge of roofs or walls which allows it to rotate down toward these surfaces when in use.

This type of awning is usually made up of fabric panels that can be adjusted with various control options including manual, remote control, or automated depending upon preference and budget. The fabric panels are held taught with tension cables across the top which contain aluminum support beams spaced evenly apart. They are available in a range of colors and fabric options including canvas, acrylic, vinyl, and more depending upon intention and style.

How They’re Stored

There are a couple of major ways you can store a retractable patio awning or deck awning.

Stored Flat

The retractable awning is typically stored flat on the outside of homes or commercial buildings when not in use. Many types of motorized retractable awnings have manual pull-down mechanisms that help collapse the panel vertically so it can be rolled up and stored away on an external track system. It takes only minutes to withdraw them from storage and mount them back onto brackets for protection against weather elements.

Stored Laterally

Of course, there are many motorized awnings that roll up into their own lateral mechanism that sits subtly along the side of the home. They don’t look clunky, and they are remote-control operated or operated via a smart device for ease of use. If you’re in Austin, motorized retractable awnings are right around the corner. Your local patio shade and outdoor space specialist, Treaty Oak Shade Co., offers many great motorized awnings, patio covers, and patio shades that work in this way. They service Austin, TX, San Antonio, Bee Caves, Round Rock, Georgetown, San Marcos, and much of Central Texas. For more information on the different styles of retractable awnings, or to get a free consultation, contact the experienced folks over at Treaty Oak Shade Co. today!

They can outfit your home with more than just a retractable awning, though. They have many options for outdoor shades, as well as interior shade solutions via blinds, shutters, window awnings, solar screens, and more!

Installation

As with any type of exterior home improvement project, people should always consult with a certified installer to ensure there is enough power coming into their homes for the electric motor which rotates the retractable patio awning. It is also wise to confirm that their homes are built with sturdy enough brackets and rotational mechanisms capable of supporting the weight before committing to this type of exterior upgrade.

Custom Retractable Patio Awnings Require Professional Installation

Since many retractable awnings are customizable, the installation process should be done by an experienced installer who understands the different types of retractable awning track systems available, as well as how much space is needed between panel tracks for these devices to rotate down properly. Most motorized retractable awnings today have automatic sensors installed which stop rotation if they detect an object along their path during operation, guarding against damage to people or property.

Summary

Motorized retractable patio awnings are great to have on your home or commercial property because they provide shade and comfort for outdoor living spaces while protecting people from the sun, rain, and snow. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of their function, how they expand and retract, as well as how they are stored is necessary before installation.

If you’re in the market for a new awning to upgrade your outdoor living space, contact Treaty Oak Shade Co. today to speak with one of their experienced technicians. They offer the best awnings in Austin, TX, and to the rest of Central Texas. They have options for every budget and for every sized deck, patio, pool area, and more! Get your free estimate today!