Manual Retractable Awnings

Don't have a need or desire to use a motor for your retractable awning? A Manual Awning may be just what you're looking for. Don't worry, though, you aren't sacrificing any function by getting rid of the motor. In fact, there are whole sets of benefits in addition to a couple of obvious drawbacks that many people don't consider when researching this type of outdoor covering.

Pros and Cons

On the positive side, this type of shelter is available for your porch, patio, deck, or any other area, the same as a motorized version would be. You can find any width, any color, any style, and pretty much any pitch angle you could imagine to suit your space and your needs perfectly. Plus, when you get rid of the motor, you’re also getting rid of some real potential headaches. Things like possible motor malfunction, motor corrosion, additional weight, higher purchase price, and potentially greater upkeep and maintenance are not a concern when you choose a manual unit over a mechanized one. The only real drawback you’re looking at when compared to a motorized unit is the fact that extension and retraction isn’t as convenient as pushing a button - you have to turn a crank or perform a similar action to get the covering in place. Not that this is necessarily a grueling operation, but it does require physical action from you, which can be trying if you want the awning in place quickly or if there are adverse conditions like the hot sun or falling rain in play while you’re getting your covering set up.

All of the basic elements you’re looking for are still there, though. UV protection, a barrier against wind and rain, and a sense of ambiance added to almost any outdoor space are all elements you can expect to enjoy with a Manual Retractable Awning. You can also look forward to affordability, low upkeep, and relative ease of setup and takedown (assuming turning a crank isn’t too stressful, of course). Tons of homeowners have turned to one of the many varieties of this type of product to incorporate any outdoor area and make it a functional, usable, and enjoyable extension of the home itself.