Being Cool With Retractable Awnings
Retractable awnings are a modern, improved version of the traditional shades for exterior windows, patios, terraces, and pool areas of a home, and can even be fitted to a RV or a boat. The perfect summer accent, awnings have been proved to be the most energy-efficient way to shield your house from the heat of the sun.
Most are familiar with the striped awnings that make a cool place to sit outdoors even on the hottest afternoons. A house fitted with matching awnings over south and west facing windows always looks comfortable and cared for, with a touch of class as traditional as a tall class of iced tea. Research has shown that the cool look is actually keeping the house much cooler inside as the awnings block heat, light, and glare.
Counted among the energy-saving installations that earn tax credits in many areas, awnings have been shown to cut air conditioning costs by almost three-fourths over the summer. That is a considerable savings, and the extended warranties help homeowners know that they will keep adding to the total year after year.
Placing an awning over windows will make the inside of your home more comfortable at a lower cost, but the value of awnings outside is even more remarkable. Having an awning outside can turn a hot patio or terrace into a cool and comfortable sitting and outdoor party area that will make you feel like you are in the Caribbean. They also allow you to enjoy being outside while shielding you from harmful UV rays, and protect you from light rains as well.
The retractable mechanism makes the operation easy when awnings must be drawn back in times of strong wind, or even on cooler days when the seasons are changing; the sun may feel good for a time and then Indian summer days may make you retreat to the shade once more. There is something very satisfying about watching your awning stretch out over the area where your friends will soon gather, whether you are turning a crank or merely pushing a button on the remote control.
The design and color choices will fit any mental picture of summer elegance. One company’s website lists over 30 designs and 400 choices of fabric in solids, stripes, and patterns. There are limited warranties for from five to twelve years on the mechanism that spreads the awning out and draws it back, and climate sensors can work the awnings without the homeowner even having to push a button.
Retractable awnings are among the most fashionable ways to deflect the summer sun and keep your home cool both inside and out. With the energy savings and tax credits that can be claimed, this option is affordable as well.
