A retractable awning is a great solution to protecting your premises from the elements while still enjoying the benefits of ventilation and fresh air.
A retractable awning is an outdoor shade structure that retracts into the building or wall that it's attached to when not in use. Retractable awnings are most often made with an aluminium frame, acrylic fabric, steel, or fibreglass with a protective finish, and consist of three basic parts: An outer covering called material which is usually treated and coated and may be open weave, closed weave, knitted or perforated; a valance which protects the material from wind and adds strength to the structure; and an operating system which operates the awnings. There are many advantages of owning a retractable awning. These include protection from the elements (including the sun), reduction of energy costs by blocking out heat and UV rays during the hot summer months, a more aesthetically pleasing environment through colour control and an effective barrier against harsh weather conditions. A retractable awning is a common choice whether you're looking to protect your premises from the sun, the rain or harmful ultraviolet rays, while still enjoying the benefits of ventilation and fresh air. A retractable awning otherwise called a retractable folding arm is aesthetically pleasing and provides shade from the sun, giving a good return on the investment. The awnings can cost between $750- $2,500, without the following:
Installation price
Delivery charges or price
Any price of additional services
Price of a retractable awning in different areas are below.
Location | Estimated average awning price |
|---|---|
Brisbane | $500- $2,000 |
Darwin | $250- $3,500 |
Hobart | $2,500 |
Sydney | $500 |
Perth | $600 |
Adelaide | $600 |
There are two options or designs of retractable awnings that are available and they both give good shade. The awning options include the canopy-type design awnings and the wall-retractable awning.
There are various strict construction requirements for awnings - here are the ones for people living in Queensland. Remember to check with each state or territory as they may have different regulations.The canopy-type awning is a frame that is mounted to hold fabric in place. Canopy-type retractable awnings are usually custom made of any size for any given situation and entrance door size and its design. These styles of retractable awnings often need to be designed with sufficient headroom to allow them to open fully without hitting the building or other overhead obstructions such as trees or other foliage.
The wall-retractable awnings have an extension arm that attaches to a building or one side of a property and usually extends horizontally from the walls of the property to cover the area especially the entrance door areas. They give a wonderful door entry experience along with a shade. There are different variations of fabric available depending on your location in addition to the climate zone. Fabrics vary in their ability to provide protection from UV radiation, heat absorption, colour fade resistance and durability. The two most popular fabrics used today are acrylic and olefin.
To operate their awning products, manufacturers will most often use one of three different variations of electric motors: DC motor, AC motor or hydraulic drive. Choosing the most suitable option for your needs will be determined by factors such as construction, specifications and aesthetics.
These are very popular in the market today because they are simple to install with little effort at all. Such awning usually come with an easy to follow installation guide with user-friendly instructions that can be easily followed by even the least handy person. Electric retractable awnings are operated either remotely or through a switch installed somewhere near the unit itself. This type of awning is very popular and well-liked because it is silent in operation and usually very convenient to use. The awning typically come with a built-in air compressor which makes them, even more, user friendly and convenient to use.
Check out our guide to the most popular awnings below.
A fixed awning is attached to the exterior wall of your business or home and often extends out over walkways, driveways and other surfaces. The bottom end of this type of awning is mounted on brackets that are supported by posts or walls while its top end can be tensioned either by chains or springs. The benefit is that the fixed awnings provide shade from the sun during the summer months while allowing sunlight to filter through in the wintertime. When properly positioned, they can provide up to 50 per cent protection against UV rays to the customers. Fixed awnings also protect windows from dust, dirt and pollen accumulation which reduces heating bills during hot summer days. You can get creative with these retractable or extendable window shades because there are so many different styles available.
This product is also called roof-mounted, exterior-mounted or canopy-style retractable awnings. Because of this fact, they are ideal for covering large openings on commercial buildings such as storefronts and restaurant dining patios. They can be retracted when not needed to allow full use of an outdoor space while still providing necessary sun protection during the hottest months of the year. The wall-mounted style of retractable awning is attached to the building in some way. Most often they will be suspended from brackets that are attached to the top edge of one side of the opening, but there are other styles available if you require something different.
Straight drop awnings provide shade from the sun for very large openings such as drive-through windows or restaurant patios. These retractable awnings are hung on either side of an opening and angled slightly downwards towards the ground to provide excellent shade and weather protection. Straight drop canopies can be made from many different fabrics and materials but PVC is the most common option because it is lightweight while still being strong enough to withstand high winds, rain and snow. The bottom end of these style of awnings is typically fastened at the base using weights, pins, hooks or other methods depending on manufacturer specifications. Other choices can include semi cassette (semi cassette is similar to full cassette), folding arm awnings, and patio awnings.
Both styles of awnings product are very affordable and surprisingly simple to install and the end result will be a highly functional, easy-to-use outdoor shading system with increased curb appeal.
They're much easier to use than other types of awnings in that you simply roll them down when needed and then roll them back up when finished. Unlike fixed awnings that require installation of long poles or ladders for safe and effective use, retractable awnings can be quickly rolled out and retracted using a simple pulley-based system.
Retractable awnings provide excellent weather protection during the summer months while allowing full sun exposure in the winter, all without being an eyesore year round. You'll also have better view of the surrounding area without having to look through a layer of fabric
Because they're retractable, you won't need to worry about leaves, tree branches, bird droppings or other debris making a mark on your awnings if rolled up after use.
They can be made from many different fabrics so you'll always have the option of choosing one that looks best on your home. They come in every colour imaginable so you'll be able to find something that matches your existing awning or outdoor décor. You can also choose a custom fabric if needed. There's an ever-growing range of special features available such as sun sensors which will automatically retract the awning when it starts raining, wind speed devices which help prevent damage caused by high winds, and even heating elements which can be used to keep your patio surface warm during the winter.
If part of your goal is to attract buyers in the future, there's no better method of doing it than installing an attractive outdoor shading system. Every time potential buyers visit your home they'll be impressed by your forward-thinking ideas and creativity - both of which are highly desirable qualities.