Did you know that 87% of US home buyers want their next abode to feature a patio? That makes this outdoor space the third most-wanted aspect of home shoppers!

American households have prioritized outdoor living spaces for some time now. So much so that 83% of existing US households now have some form of it.

If you own one of these homes, it’s time to consider getting a motorized retractable awning. With this, you can make the most out of your outdoor living space.

Ready to learn more about motorized awnings and why they’re an excellent investment? Then let’s get right into it!

WHAT IS AN AWNING?

Awnings are shade solutions that attach to the side of a home and act as an extension roof. They cover open outdoor areas, giving you control over the light and heat that reach these spaces. Their base construction is a metal frame from which a piece of fabric stretches out.

WHAT ABOUT A MOTORIZED RETRACTABLE AWNING?

Motorized retractable awnings are fully-adjustable awnings powered by a motor. You operate these outdoor coverings with a simple touch of a button on a remote control. The controller then sends signals to a sensor in the motor itself.

With this remote-controlled feature, a motorized retractable awning is easy to operate. Gone are the days wherein you have to open or close the fabric shades yourself. You can stay seated and all comfy in your patio chair and have the awning remote and motor do the heavy work for you.

THE PRIMARY BENEFITS OF A REMOTE-CONTROLLED RETRACTABLE AWNING

One of the biggest attractions to remote-controlled awnings is their, well, remote operation. After all, non-motorized awnings would require you to literally crank out the fabric. That’s some heavy work, which can put you off in using them in the first place.

With motorized awnings, you simply have to press a button to extend the fabric. You have total control over how much of the cover you wish to retract. If you want some vitamin D, you can open the awning halfway and then fully extend it once you’re done sunbathing.

The ease of use of motorized awnings is only one of their many benefits, though. Here are other reasons that make remote-controlled retractable awnings a great investment.

COMPATIBILITY WITH SUN AND WIND SENSORS

Another advantage of motorized awnings is that you can equip them with sun and wind sensors. These are innovative devices that detect changes to the sun’s intensity and speed of the wind. From there, they can trigger the motor to react and open or retract the fabric as needed.

With a sun sensor, you can stop guessing whether the sun’s energy is already too much for your body. This is especially true during overcast days, as you may think that clouds can protect you from UV rays. Unfortunately, 80% of ultraviolet radiation can still pass through clouds.

A wind sensor, on the other hand, triggers the motor to retract the awning when it becomes super windy. This helps to protect the fabric covering from the damage that powerful winds can cause. High-quality awning fabrics are durable, but very high winds can still damage them.

As you can see, with a sun and wind sensor, you don’t have to get up from your comfy position to open or retract the awning. This device will communicate with the motor to do the work for you.

IMPRESSIVE UV RAY CONTROL

Did you know that up to 90% of visible skin changes result from life-long exposure to the sun? While that big ball of fire is one of the main sources of vitamin D, too much of it can lead to skin damage and even cancer.

These dangerous effects are a direct result of ultraviolet radiation. Scientists say that exposure to the sun’s UV rays is the culprit behind 65% of melanoma skin cancers. It’s also the cause of nine in 10 cases of non-melanoma skin cancers.

Also, keep in mind that there are two types of UV rays that reach the earth: UVA and UVB. Both, however, are very harmful in large doses, so you want to keep away from them as much as possible.

All this doesn’t mean that you should stay cooped up indoors to avoid the sun. This is where retractable awnings (and some skin sunscreen) can come to your rescue.

Awnings are exceptional UV ray blockers as they can deter up to 82% of all UV rays. Thanks to this impressive protective feature, you can spend as much time as you want outside.

FEWER UV RAYS MEAN LONGER-LASTING FURNITURE

UV rays don’t only affect human skin; they can also cause leather damage within half a year. If you have leather furniture near the windows, it can fade a lot with continued UV exposure.

Other furniture and fabrics will also fade when exposed continuously to the sun. Researchers even say that UV exposure is responsible for 40% of fading in these products.

With motorized awnings, you can prevent such damages from ruining furniture and fabrics.

DAMPENED HARSH LIGHT MEANS REDUCED GLARE

Glare is an unpleasant sensation that affects the eyes when there’s too much bright light. It can result from the sun’s extreme brightness or high-wattage artificial lighting. At the very least, glare is distracting, but it can also be disabling or even blinding.

Glare also usually happens when sunlight or artificial light reflects off surfaces. Such surfaces include your TV and computer screen, metallic objects, and shiny floors.

Awnings can help dampen the amount of light that permeates your home. In this way, they can reduce instances of uncomfortable or even painful glare. You’ll be able to watch the TV without issues and work on your computer without vision concerns.

CONSIDERABLE HEAT REDUCTION

The US Department of Energy itself recommends the use of awnings. That’s because awnings that shade west-facing windows can reduce summer heat gains by up to 77%. Placed over south-facing windows, these outdoor coverings can block up to 65% of the sun’s heat.

If smaller window awnings are capable of that feat, imagine how much more patio awnings can do. Definitely more, as their bigger size lets them block more of the sun’s heat from reaching the ground.

Note that the ground reflects heat energy that falls off it back into the atmosphere. It may seem small, but at least 3% of the sun’s heat gets reflected by the ground. From there, the heat can rise and enter your home through nearby windows.

That’s why it’s a good idea to cover a good portion of the outdoor space that’s nearest your windows. Motorized retractable awnings allow you to do exactly that.

LESS HEAT, LOWER ENERGY BILLS

Electricity prices in California have risen at least three times in 2017 alone. Homes that suffer from a lot of heat gains and losses are most vulnerable to these price hikes. That’s because the more heat energy gained or lost, the greater the need for prolonged HVAC use.

The sun’s warmth is one of the most significant contributors to these heat gains. This is especially true if you have bare or untreated windows. The sun’s warming effects permeate your windows, making your home hotter than it should be.

If your home gets too warm, then you may end up cranking up your air conditioner. This, in turn, drives up your energy bills. Moreover, overextended use of the AC can make it more prone to premature wear and tear.

Since motorized awnings help keep heat gains at bay, they also help you cut your energy costs. At the same time, they can contribute to reduced demand in terms of AC use. The less your air conditioner has to overexert itself, the longer it can serve you.

ENJOY THE NUMEROUS HEALTH BENEFITS OF BEING OUTDOORS

Many studies found that exposure to green space can lower one’s risk of chronic diseases. Spending time outdoors can help keep diabetes and heart disease at bay. Outdoor time can also lower stress and blood pressure levels.

That’s why you should consider upping your outdoor time as much as possible. By exposing yourself to green space, your health can improve, and you may feel happier. Besides, just seeing the beauty of your garden or lawn can already raise your spirits.

Having a protective covering for your green space can make you more motivated to spend time in it. For the most convenience and innovativeness, consider going for motorized awnings.

MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE NOW

There you have it, your ultimate guide on what a motorized retractable awning is and its benefits. As you can see, there’s a lot that these innovative outdoor coverings can bring to the table. If you want the most protection and convenience, go for remote-controlled awnings. Ready to take advantage of your outdoor space by giving it a colorful, aesthetic upgrade? Then please know that we here at Accent Awning can help you get your project started! Send us a message, and we’ll be happy to give you a quote for your motorized retractable awnings!