Spring Loaded and Automatic Awnings

Not Only Do They Look Great, They’re Simple to Use

Outdoor awnings are a great way to provide weather protection. The Australian elements can be harsh, and awnings can protect your home from things like rain, extreme heat, and cold. An awning can give your home a physical barrier from weather extremes and they can even protect your outdoor furniture. Outdoor awnings can give you a comfortable space outside, safe from the elements while looking great and providing great curb appeal. There is no question that awnings can look great.

Awnings themselves come in a variety of types depending on what you are looking for.

• Permanent – Some awnings are fixed in place and always open. They are permanently affixed to your home, and cannot be retracted. This type of awning ensures that no matter the day or time they are out doing their job. They can be a great asset to your home and can add value if you are seeking to sell.
• Retractable – The other type of outdoor awnings are retractable and can be extended only when you need or want them to be. Retractable awnings come in a variety of styles as well being manual or automatic.
• Automatic – where all you need to do is push a button to extend the awning. This can be perfect for places where there are strong winds or bad weather and a traditional awning may not hold up to the higher winds, or extreme weathers that can damage your awning.

Each variety comes with its own price tag. Where stationary awnings tend to be the most budget friendly, followed by the manual retractable awnings, and lastly the automatic ones that require electricity to run.  That said, each variety has its benefits and downfalls. One of them is the simplicity of use.

Manual Vs. Automatic

Automatic awnings can be extremely simple to use. The motorised ones can be extended and retracted with a simple push of a button. It is harder on the machinery to retract it though due to the spring loading to properly stretch the canvas when fully extended. On the other hand, the manual ones are also quite easy to set out using the hand crank, but take a bit more effort to retract. This should be kept in mind when deciding between the two types of automatic outdoor awnings.

Ease of use is not the only consideration though. As with anything mechanical, there is more upkeep to outdoor awnings that are motorised. They require regular maintenance which can come at an added cost. The cranking manual variety obviously doesn’t require as much maintenance due to their being fewer parts to break or need repair.

No matter the type of outdoor awning you are looking for, be it automatic, manual or fixed, our team at Complete Blinds can help you find the perfect one for your home, in a style that suits exactly what you are looking for. We can also install your awning. So, what are you waiting for? Give one of our friendly team members a call today.