Retractable Awnings
Retractable awnings are sold as temporary sun covers. This means that when you want to sit on your deck or patio and be protected from the sun, you roll the awning out, sit under it and enjoy it. When you are done, roll it back in.
Retractables do not require any type of spring or fall servicing. Once it’s installed, it never has to be removed. And weather permitting, you can use it any time of the year.
When rolled out, the awning does not have any posts or supports attached to your deck or patio. It is only attached to your house. When the awning is rolled in, your deck is clear of any type of awning framework.
Retractables give you the advantage of having shade when you want it. With motorized or manual operation, you can shade your deck on those hot sunny days or keep the awning rolled in when it’s cloudy and a shaded area is not needed.
Retractable awnings are not designed to be rolled out for long periods of time. In fact, we recommend that unless you are sitting under the awning or are nearby, you keep the awning retracted (rolled in).
Retractable awnings should always be rolled in at night, when no one is home and when nasty weather is approaching. Retractables are not designed to handle bad weather. In general, they will handle light winds up to about 20 mph and light rain showers. But the exact amount of wind and rain will be different for each installation. We will try to give you some guidelines to prevent the awning from being damaged. The awning should always be retracted in heavy rains, thunderstorms or windy conditions. Damage to your awning from inclement weather is not covered by the warranty.
The basic rule is plain common sense. If weather conditions prevent you from being outside, then the awning should be rolled in. And if you are unsure, roll it in, it’s better to be safe than sorry.