Sometimes you want sunlight to reach a dining room, lobby, or patio, and an awning gets in the way. Other times you need the awning’s shade and protection from the elements. A retractable awning gives you both.
Retractable awnings give you control over comfort. They protect customers, guests, staff, and outdoor furniture from harmful UV light when you need protection, and you can retract them when you want more sunshine. This guide covers the benefits, what the investment depends on, the pros and cons, and what to know before you buy for a commercial property. RCI Doors™ provides retractable commercial awnings as part of its specialty door and structure services.
They can be. A retractable awning extends your usable outdoor space without a construction project, and it costs far less than building a permanent structure. The return depends on how often you use it. If you deploy the awning and never retract it, the extra cost over a stationary awning is unlikely to pay off.
The Benefits of Retractable Awnings
Retractable awnings pack several benefits into one installation. These are the main ones for a commercial property.
Reducing Heating and Cooling Costs
By reducing the sunlight that enters the building, a retractable awning can lower summer cooling costs. In the cooler months, you can retract it to let in more sunlight and reduce heating costs.
Convenience and Durability
Modern awnings extend and retract electronically, so you operate them like other powered equipment. There is no crank to turn and no gear to lock. Current models can sync with a smartphone, and some awnings can deploy and retract automatically depending on the weather.
Today’s retractable awnings also stand up to wind and rain better than earlier models. And because you can retract an awning before a storm, its substructure does not have to withstand high winds the way a permanent awning’s does.
Protection for Furniture and Decor
Sunlight eventually fades and cracks even the most durable outdoor furniture. A retractable awning can extend the life of that furniture. Indoor decor near windows and doors can benefit too.
Extending Usable Outdoor Space
Most people can sit in the sun for only so long, and patience for mist and rain is even thinner. Even the nicest patio or deck feels inhospitable unless the weather is perfect, and not every day is perfect. By protecting decks and patios from harsh weather, awnings can increase the time people spend outdoors.
What Drives the Return on a Retractable Awning
Retractable awnings can be worth the investment. For starters, they extend your outdoor space without a new construction project. Building a permanent structure means a foundation, pillars, a roof, and a lot of labor. Next to that, a retractable awning does not cost very much, which makes it a cost-efficient way to improve your property.
Like most investments in a property, though, the return depends on how often you use the awning. If you deploy it and never retract it, the money you spent, compared with the cost of a stationary awning, likely will not be worthwhile.
| Option | Cost compared with a retractable awning / Tradeoff |
|---|---|
| Permanent structure | Much higher: foundation, pillars, roof, and labor. A construction project, and it is fixed in place |
| Stationary awning | Lower. Always deployed, so there is no unfiltered sunlight when you want it |
| Retractable awning | Baseline. Shade when you need it and sunlight when you want it; moving parts need occasional maintenance |
| Temporary solutions, such as large umbrellas | Lower. Temporary, and unlike a retractable awning they do not add value to the property |
What to Know Before You Buy a Commercial Retractable Awning
Do not order a retractable awning online or from a hardware store. A one-size-fits-all product will not fit your building perfectly, and it will not blend into the building’s design. The best retractable awnings are custom built for the specific building. A custom awning looks right both deployed and retracted, as if it has always been part of the property.
Even the best awning works only when it is installed properly. Professional installation makes sure the awning operates safely and efficiently. RCI Doors™ offers free estimates on custom-built retractable awnings for your business, along with certified installation.
RCI Doors™ offers free estimates on custom-built retractable awnings for your business.
Pros and Cons of Commercial Retractable Awnings
Like any property improvement, retractable awnings come with tradeoffs.
Pros
- Flexibility: You get awnings when you need protection and no awning when you want unfiltered sunlight.
- Efficiency: Extending your outdoor space with a retractable awning costs a lot less than building a structure with a foundation and roof supports.
- Ease of use: Push-button operation or smartphone sync makes today’s retractable awnings easier than ever to use.
Cons
- Cost: Retractable awnings are drastically cheaper than a permanent structure, but they cost more than a stationary awning and more than temporary solutions like large umbrellas.
- Ongoing maintenance: Retractable awnings rely on moving parts and sensors that need occasional maintenance. Over time, motors can fail and require service or replacement.
The Value Behind Commercial Retractable Awnings
Retractable awnings make decks and patios more welcoming, even when the weather is less than perfect. They also cover windows and entryways on sunny days and can retract automatically on cloudy days, which lowers HVAC costs. They can also improve the appearance and value of your property.
RCI Doors™ designs and installs customized, modern retractable awnings. Contact us today for your free quote.
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A retractable awning pays off when you use it: shade on hot days, sunlight on mild ones, and retracted before a storm. Choose a custom fit, a durable material, and professional installation.
A retractable awning pays off when you use it: shade on hot days, sunlight on mild ones, and retracted before a storm. Choose a custom fit, a durable material, and professional installation.
