Nothing can beat the pleasure of looking at a scenic outdoor view from the comfort of your home. But with that comes the rain & sometimes blinding sunlight which is not so desirable. Thus, a retractable awning can be the right outdoor addition for your client’s remodeling project. It might have not occurred to them yet while they’re busy making their house aesthetically appealing, but will definitely thank you later for this suggestion. So, if they have an existing outdoor sitting area, you can pitch a retractable awning.
What Is A Retractable Awning?
An awning is a type of coverage that is attached to the exterior side of the wall. It creates a canopy, giving shade and slight protection from natural factors to the area beneath it. A retractable awning is a variant that can be expanded or retracted as required.
This can turn any open space into a semi-closed one. The retracting process is manual or mechanical. The manual version has a rotating axle that can control it. The mechanical one can expand and collapse with the push of a button.
Let us go over some pros and cons of this system.
Advantages
Protection Against Nature
Made of acrylic, vinyl, and similar materials, these offer shade to the area underneath. This protection could be key to owners who want to enjoy their outdoor space a bit more. Apart from the protection from sunlight, this also protects from drizzles.
The owners aren’t the only ones who reap the benefits. Their furniture is saved from direct exposure. This leads to a longer life with fewer repairs along the way.
Versatile
Its retractable nature helps it avoid one of the major problems faced by fixed awnings- severe weather. In extreme conditions like snow, the homeowners can retract and close the awning to keep it safe.
Change In Indoor Temperature
Placing the awning meticulously can also help reduce indoor temperature to an extent. When unfolded, these keep sunlight at bay. Having these over windows would reduce the heat of getting into the house. We aren’t saying that it will make a tremendous difference, but in hot weather, everything counts.
Something To Build Up
Besides utility, it adds another element to the outdoors. This provides something for the owners to improve. For instance, they can decorate an open awning with LED light strings for an outdoor party at night.
Disadvantages
Expensive
The additional motor and fixtures make it a costlier option to purchase when compared to its stationary counterpart. On average, they range around $2,500 (including installation charges).
The maintenance could also be high if the homeowners forget to close the awning each time the weather goes bad. They could opt for a variant with weather sensors to retract automatically, but that adds to the cost.
Extreme Weather
The fixed awning is made from sturdy materials to handle the harsh weather. Retractable ones shifted their focus on making something more versatile. In this, they had to sacrifice its durability.
This system could break during strong winds and rain. Snow can also hurt functioning.
Situational
You could say that this is purely situational. While it has its merits, some homeowners do not see themselves using this throughout the year.
Knowing these, you can guide your customers better. Working outdoors is different for you and your staff. Here are some mistakes you should avoid.
Another thing you could do for your home improvement business is providing financing solutions to your customers so that you can close more deals faster. Home improvement projects can fall heavy on your customer’s budget and become a reason for them to drop the plan. However, an easy financing solution can be the answer if such a situation arises.
