subject: There Are Many Types Of Patio Awnings [print this page] When summer arrives it brings with it warm weather. This is the time that homeowners often start searching for a way that they can make more use of the outdoor spaces that surround their home. With the addition of one of the types of patio awnings available for your house, you can get the shaded protection that you need to create additional living space. These awnings add value and functionality, as well as making your home more attractive at the same time.
The canopy of a wonderful awning over the patio can act as a roof for a brand new living room. Most people make the most of these shaded structures and the protection that they provide against the sun and the rain. They might even decorate and furnish their newly covered patios with some comfortable chairs, couches, and tables. Then finish them off with a few patio accessories.
One great benefit with having an awning is that you can entertain your guests outside rather than within the confines of your home. The awning protects the deck or patio and it creates a space similar to that of an extra living room. This is a wonderful area for hosting a party. Many people feel much more relaxed and comfortable when they are in a comfortable outdoor setting, as opposed to having to restricted to an enclosed indoor space.
Awnings fall into two distinct categories, those of fixed and retractable. As the name implies, a fixed awning will not move and is not adjustable. In most situations a fixed house awning also requires the proper permissions before they can be constructed. Once one of these types of awning has been erected there is no room for flexibility and it will stay as part of your home unless you choose to have it demolished.
A permanent awning requires a frame, which means it will need a set of support poles. These often seem to be placed just so they obstruct what otherwise would have been a pleasant view of your garden. There could even be a safety issue if you have active young children. This is because the poles are usually placed away from the house and on the edges of the patio. The children could easily collide with them whilst playing.
The retractable type of patio awning will fully retract against the home whenever you want to have full light or in the case of impending storm conditions. There are two types of retractable awnings. The manual type uses a hand crank, and the motorized type utilizes a small motor and a remote electronic control to adjust the sunshade settings. The patio awning systems which are retractable can be pulled back until they are flush with the house walls. This is very handy when storms arise and you want to be sure the awning will not be damaged, or when you just want to have as much natural light flooding in as possible.
Having decided you want an awning, you now have to decide which kind is best for your home. The decision between the two categories might seem quite simple but you must consider the consequences, do you want to use it all year round, do you have children who could injure themselves, or do you want a system you can put away out of sight when it is not required. Do a bit of research, ask your neighbors who have awnings and see how they made their decision. Ask the salesman but do not just buy one on a rushed decision.
