What’s the Best Awning for My Patio?

April 5, 2021


 

Alright, so you’re getting a little sick of the sun. At first, it was great. The winter had passed and you were soaking up all the rays you possibly could. Now, however, it’s gotten to be just a little bit too much. Maybe you’ve even sustained a few sunburns.

 

If you’ve found yourself wanting a place to get out of the sun for just a little while, an awning might be the best way to go. They’re relatively cheap, easy to install, and a great way to get a little shade on those harsh summer days.

 

The Two Kinds of Awnings

When we’re talking about awnings for a patio or a porch, we’re talking about fabric or retractable awnings. Both are made from fabric or canvas material, but they differ in that one will fold up and get out of your way while one will provide 24/7 shade. 

 

A retractable awning is great if you’ve got a smaller patio and don’t want to have to choose between shady and sunny. Retractable awnings also might be a little more durable, since you can fold them up to protect them from the elements. On stormy nights and days, you might want some safety for your awning, which you’ll come to value so much. 

 

A permanent fabric awning, on the other hand, is great for people with larger patios, who can afford to have one area of permanent shade. If you can escape to another part of your patio to get some sun, we say go for it. 

 

Retractable Awnings

If you want shade but don’t want it all day, then a retractable awning is right for you. Retractable awnings are also longer-lasting, so you can make an investment that you won’t lose in the long term. 

 

If you want something durable, you’re going to want a retractable awning. Awnings like these can fold back up into their casings when a storm comes, which results in less wear and tear. They’re also great because if you want to sunbathe a little, you can go ahead. 

 

Retractable awnings are great for smaller patios because they essentially extend the functionality of your patio. Don’t choose between a sunny patio and a shady patio- get a retractable awning and make it both! With a retractable awning, you can sunbathe or just relax.

 

Fabric Awnings

Fabric awnings are great because they give you ‘round-the-clock protection from the sun. If you’ve got a smaller porch, they’ll permanently take away your sun. But, if you’ve got a big backyard, you could still just throw down a simple towel and sunbathe on the grass. We see no problem with this. 

 

The biggest disadvantage with a permanent fabric awning is that there’s no way to protect it from the elements. Rain or shine, it’s there to stay, and it’ll experience a lot of wear and tear because of it. All of our awnings are durable and easy to install, but if you want the longest-term awning possible, you might need a retractable.