An innovative way to accent your exterior space while still ensuring that you have adequate protection from the elements is by installing retractable awnings. These accessories are much more versatile than if you had your patio completely closed off as you get to control what degree of al fresco living you would prefer to enjoy. In addition to this, awnings come in a wide selection of material, colours and patterns to make sure they are complementary to your current theme. Nevertheless, an oversight some people make is solely focusing on aesthetics and pricing. The best approach would be to factor in various considerations to make sure you are making the best selection to suit your expectations. This article will illustrate some of the other factors that should guide you on your decision of an awning for your property.

Shape of the awnings

When you do not deliberate on the different shapes that awnings are available in, you stand the risk of these shelters overwhelming the style of your residence. Considering the size of the canopies is essential, but so is making a choice based on the shape so that you can be guaranteed the shelter will accentuate the standout features of your property. Some of the different shapes that you could consider in an attempt to facilitate harmonisation with your residence include triangular sails, domes and even spear point awnings.

Material of the awnings

Another vital factor to bear in mind when choosing awnings for your home would be material they are fabricated from. A popular choice in Australia is the fabric awnings as these maximise on light illumination, while still protecting you from direct heat. Moreover, the fabric allows for ventilation so you can rest assured your patio remain airy and breezy, particularly during the summer. One notable disadvantage of fabric awnings is they are susceptible to fading due to ultraviolet exposure. If this poses a concern for you, then you may want to consider awnings constructed from either aluminium or vinyl, as these will not be vulnerable to discolouration. Take note, though, that awnings made from opaque materials would block out a considerable amount of illumination to your exterior space.

Protective hood over the awnings

An overlooked aspect about retractable awnings is providing them with a protective covering once they are in their retracted position. What some homeowners do not pay close attention to is how the retracted awnings would still be unprotected from weathering, especially if they have been mounted above your roof rather than under it. Installing a protective hood ensures some the awnings and its motor mechanism are provided with a few inches of shelter when they have been retracted during rainy or snowy weather.