Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Extend the Time You Spend on Your Patio with a Retractable Awning

By JC Mims

Not sure if a retractable awning is right for you? If you would like to increase the amount of time you spend on your deck or patio, but the sun is just too glaring you may want to consider one. You will soon discover that you have much more room for entertaining with the addition of a new awning. Can you imagine a better way to enjoy a cookout on a hot Summer day while still being protected from the sun?

If you do not have a garage, an awning provides a dry space to enter your home when you come home to rain. This is especially true if your awning is located in the front of your home. Often times the awning will attach to or just under the eaves of your home.

Once you add a retractable awning you will find that you can decorate and accessorize your patio or deck more freely since you have an extra level of protection now.

Set up your outdoor area with a patio table, chairs, and a grill and you have the perfect spot for outdoor BBQ's, but without having to worry about hot Summer days, or rain.

Awnings also help increase your air conditioners efficiency by up to 20 - 25% by blocking the heat that would normally come through your windows. A cool breeze beneath your awning will have you thinking you have air conditioning outdoors.

Another great feature is they help protect outdoor hot tubs or Jacuzzi's. You will discover there are more benefits than you might expect. Awnings will help keep any leaves and other debris from entering your hot tub.

The first thing you need to decide before you pick which awning is right for you is determine what you plan to use it for. Awnings come in a wide variety of sizes including sizes as large as 40 feet x 17 feet. The roof line of a typical awning will drop approx. 3 inches per foot extended. Thus, 17 feet is generally the maximum length of an extended residential type awning.

Before getting started, you need to measure the area where the awning will be located. This will provide you with the maximum awning size you can use. Be sure to note the amount of clearance you will need. Also note the location of your windows as you will not want to block any views. An awning that covers a window will greatly decrease the amount of heat that enters your home.

You can purchase sensors for your awnings that will allow them to be automatically rolled in and out according to the weather. The difference in light is sensed and the awning will roll out when the sun gets too bright. Then when the night begins to fall, the sensor will automatically send a signal that the awning is to roll in. Look for quality when purchasing a retractable awning because with care, they can last for several years. - 15266

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