Fixed Awnings Vs Retractable Awnings – Which One To Choose?
Whether you are a business owner, a designer, an architect, a developer, or a homeowner planning on designing your outdoor area, what you need is an amazing awning system that will make your area look awesome. Enhancing outdoor spaces has never been easier. Awnings provide you with a stylish yet functional product that will have you wanting more.
From sun, heat, and glare protection to protection against other weather conditions, these awnings are sure to enhance your space and allow you to enjoy your time outdoors no matter the weather. Awnings can transform and upgrade your outdoor sitting area where you can host outdoor parties if you are a homeowner or welcome customers if you are a business owner. Awnings are sure to benefit everyone.
The question that arises here is, which type of awning to choose—fixed or retractable? But once you do some research, you will come to know that a retractable awning system in its various forms is the one you need. In this article, you can see for yourself as we have brought together the comparison between fixed and retractable awnings.
So read below to find out more about the differences between fixed and retractable awnings.
Fixed Awnings Vs Retractable Awnings
1. Frames
Fixed Awnings
Most commonly fixed awnings are usually created from steel tubing, which is prone to rust and will corrode within 2 to 3 years at most.
Retractable Awnings
The frames are made from a stronger and rust-free material because retractable awnings require constant extension and retraction, so they need to be robust enough to withstand wear and tear.
These also come with a long warranty period.
- Manual retractable awnings for patio - ALEKO’s Retractable Patio Awning comes with a manual hand crank that easily opens and closes the awning within a minute, without the need for electricity. The retractability helps the awning fabric last longer by keeping it out of the elements when not in use.
- Stylish and sturdy - The 12x10 foot patio shade awning frame is made with durable steel and aluminum, and is powder-coated with anti-chip paint. The UV-protected exterior cloth canvas is made of polyester fabric that promotes airflow and reduces trapped heat.
- Porch awning kit - The outdoor awning kit includes 1 awning frame, 1 handle crank, 1 masonry screw box, 1 roller center support, 1 awning fabric, 1 fabric cord, and 2 manuals.
- Precaution and safety - The awning fabric is resilient against water damage, but retract the deck awning back during heavy winds and storms for safety. The product is compatible with reinforced concrete, wood frame, and brick walls. Do not attach to loose stones or drywall.
- Sophisticated shade solutions - ALEKO’s selection of outdoor awnings has everything you need to enjoy the shade without breaking the bank. Our high-quality awning kit makes sure you have protection from the sun's UV rays for a more enjoyable outdoor experience. Outsmart the weather with ALEKO Awnings.
2. Fabric
Fixed Awnings
- They are usually installed with canvas or vinyl materials
- These materials will fade, and rot within a lifespan of 2 to 5 years.
Retractable Awnings
- They are made with acrylic material that has resistance against fading and rotting and comes with a warranty of 10 to 15 years.
- They can be retracted when the awning is not being used
- Aluminum panels also last more than 15 years.
- 12' by 10' HIGH-QUALITY STANDARD: 12feet long 10feet width Awning Backed with a 1 years warranty and certified CE, GS, and RoHS, this awning is built and tested to be simple to use and durable to last. Residential and commercial use. Most accurate fully extend product dimension: 11.32'x9.84'.
- DURABLE MECHANISM : Build with an entire corrosion resistant T5 grade aluminum frame, and arm - It keeps this manual mechanism safe, easy to adjust, light and robust again structure stress with a wind resident Beauport scale 4.
- INCLUDES: Awning, crank handle, mounting bracket, instruction manual and additional mounting hardware - No electricity required, open/close by hand crank.
- HIGH QUALITY FABRIC : Beige color 280g/m² Polyester +PU coating fabric is water resistant, resistant to sun fading, has 50UV+ solar protection and also tested for a wind resistance Beauport scale 4.
- RECOMMENDED INSTALLATION; Total height needed 3.1m that include 0.6m for the drop. Concrete wall or massive brickwork wall recommended. Please ask a professional for different types of walls such as (insulation, double brick, brick, wood and vinyl facing etc).
3. Light
Fixed Awnings
- The area over which a fixed awning is installed will remain dark without the installation of some lighting. It will be specifically much darker on cloudy and stormy days.
Retractable Awnings
- With retractable awnings, you can easily control the amount of light that enters your area by retracting the awning on a cloudy and stormy day.
4. Angle
Fixed Awnings
Fixed awnings provide a permanent shelter. The angle of coverage cannot be adjusted in fixed awnings.
Retractable Awnings
In lateral arm retractable systems, you can adjust the angle of coverage and shelter depending on where the sun is.
You can also adjust the angle to allow visibility outside from indoors.
5. Open and closed Partially or Fully
Fixed Awnings
Fixed awnings are fully open the way they were when installed. They cannot be retracted to close them. They are permanently open.
Retractable Awnings
While retractable awning systems offer lateral folding panels and patio cover awnings that can be open and closed partially if you want.
Rotating panel awning systems can be fully opened and closed and also tilted.
6. Amount of space taken up
Fixed Awnings
Fixed awnings are always extended because they are stationary and fixed structures that are always extended and cannot be retracted. So they take up the space that they cover.
Retractable Awnings
These awning systems can be easily retracted when not in use, and they fold and are stored in the cassette or just fold against the building. They are discreet when folded.
7. Transfer and storage
Fixed Awnings
It is difficult to move, transfer and install fixed awnings because of their large and bulky structure.
Retractable Awnings
On the other hand, retractable awnings are smaller than fixed awnings and less bulky; this makes them easier to move and transfer.
8. Sun Heat
Fixed Awnings
Even though fixed awnings help in summer, they cannot be retracted on colder days when heat and warmth from the sun are needed to warm up the building. Thus fixed awnings can contribute to higher energy costs.
Retractable Awnings
However, with a retractable awning, you can enjoy both seasons easily.
In summer, you can keep your awning extended to get shade and protection from sun heat and glare.
And in winters, you can keep your awning retracted to allow the warmth from the sun to reach you and your building. This can save you on heater bills.
9. Exposure to UV rays
Fixed Awnings
Due to the exposure of UV rays and other elements to the cover, they have a much shorter lifespan as compared to the covers of retractable awnings, which can be retracted when needed.
Retractable Awnings
Retractable awnings are kept retracted when not being used, so they are less exposed to UV rays, and thus their cover has a longer lifespan.
10. Weather conditions
Fixed Awnings
Since fixed awnings are a permanent type of awnings, they cannot be removed when harsh weather conditions start. It is impracticable as well as expensive to do so.
This is why their covers and frames get damaged due to hail, snowstorms, hurricanes, high winds, and heavy rainfall.
Retractable Awnings
Retractable awnings can be easily retracted in case of extreme weather conditions.
Motorized retractable awnings come with sensors for wind, rain, and sun, so they automatically retract and extend when sense a change in weather. Moreover, control through smartphone apps makes it much easier to control.
Some awnings are even made to withstand winds, rainfall, and snow.
In a Nutshell
If you are looking to enhance your outdoor sitting area, then an awning is the product you need. They will upgrade the look and create an ambiance that is welcoming and inviting. So, all these comparisons point towards the immense benefits of retractable awnings over fixed awnings.
If you are planning to improve your outdoor area, then retractable awnings are the ones you should get. With enhanced protection and durability, these offer ease of operation and ease of use as well.
