Ideal for business owners, property developers and homeowners, awnings create the ideal mixture of indoor and outdoor living, making exteriors appear more upscale, improving energy efficiency and creating a more comfortable outside space. When considering a new awning, there are two style considerations — fixed or retractable. What’s the difference between the two, and which one should you choose to best suit your expectations?
What Are Retractable and Fixed Awnings?
While retractable and fixed awnings serve similar purposes, there are several differences between the two styles. Fixed awnings are the more traditional option and permanently installed on your building — often used as protection over windows and doors against inclement weather and direct sunlight exposure. With a fixed awning installation, you can have durable construction intended to withstand variable climates and choose from several sizes and design options, including concave, dome and quarter-round.
Retractable awnings, like fixed ones, also block sun exposure and keep your outdoor space cool, but they’re constructed from high-quality outdoor fabrics and intended to roll open or closed on wall mounted rollers. Depending on your needs and budget, retractable awnings can either be manually or mechanically operated.
Fixed Awning Benefits
Fixed awnings are a wonderful addition to any structure, but they’re particularly ideal for businesses. With a fixed awning, you can benefit from having a permanent installation with little maintenance, presenting long-term prominent business promotion and decor and maintaining comfortable shading year-round. By having a fixed awning on your home or business, you also gain the flexibility to design any awning shape you desire to fit your tastes and cover much larger areas than retractable awnings can.
Retractable Awning Benefits
When you install a retractable awning on your home or property, you can experience unmatched flexibility, durability and style. Retractable awnings also feature the following perks:
- Versatility: Retractable awnings allow you to open or close the structure discreetly during seasonal changes, unlike permanent fixed awnings. Pivotal arm awnings also enable you to continually adjust the awning to shade different areas of your outdoor space.
- Better quality: Retractable awning fabrics are made from durable and top-quality outdoor fabrics intended to withstand fading and damage caused by direct sun exposure and moisture.
- Customization: With several paint color options and hundreds of different fabrics, you can truly customize your retractable awning to match your home’s exterior and fit your tastes.
- Easy use: Retractable awnings either have a hand crank for simple operation or can be equipped with a motor for easy opening and closing. Many also feature weather sensors that close the awning when inclement weather is detected to avoid damages.
- Exterior preservation: If you have an architecturally significant or attractive home, you can easily maintain and preserve the look of your exterior by having a retractable awning that’s easily closed when not in use.
Call Garrety Glass Today for Retractable or Fixed Awning Installation
Garrety Glass has been the most trusted and reliable glass, sunroom and awning installation company throughout Central Pennsylvania for over 20 years. We pride ourselves on offering a wide range of residential and commercial glass installation and awning options as well as providing personalized and friendly services to residents of the Mechanicsburg, Lancaster and Harrisburg areas. Request a free service estimate today by completing our online form, or call us at 717-741-9949 to speak to a specialist.