Fortunately, determining whether a motorized retractable awning is worth it doesn’t come down to a single factor. There are numerous reasons why an awning makes good sense for most homeowners and many small businesses. Here are the most common reasons below:
Awnings are Cost Effective
Simply put, retractable, motorized awnings deliver a huge bang for your buck! Compared to virtually every other permanent cover solution, awnings are always the affordability winner. Whether you are considering a patio cover, sunroom, pergola or roof extension, awnings provide shade and elements protection for a fraction of the cost. Truly. We did a comparison and found that a motorized awning averages about 1/9th the cost of an adjustable pergola. That’s almost 90% less while still getting great 3 season outdoor living protection. That’s hard to beat!
Privacy When You Need It
What good is an outdoor living space if you have to be on display for your neighbors? You have privacy inside your home, why not outside of it too? A retractable awning allows you to control when you want a higher degree of privacy when enjoying yourself on your deck, patio, or balcony. Paired with front and/or side curtain screens, and you are in full control of your privacy.
Protection For Your Outdoor Belongings - Furniture, BBQs
We all know how furniture can fade even when indoors. And while patio furniture is made to endure the elements, don’t fool yourself that it still doesn’t take a beating from the UV rays and the elements. A retractable awning can quickly protect your outdoor belongings and help extend their usable life.
Style and Return on Investment
No matter how functional an item is, if it’s part of our home most of us want to ensure it has good styling as well. Motorized awnings come in a variety of fabrics, colors, patterns, and cuts that allow you to choose the style that fits your home. Additionally, many owners find that they experience significance savings on cooling costs resulting from their awning. For the amount invested in an awning compared to the functionality and attractiveness it adds to your home, the return on investment of a retractable awning is excellent.
Retractable Equates to Less Storm Damage
Obviously, awnings provide their benefits when extended. However there are times that you don’t want your outdoor cover to face unnecessary exposure to what the weather might throw at it. Every year, tens of thousands of patio covers of various types are damaged from storms, whether wind, hail, snow, or ice. With a retractable awning you don’t have to worry about that problem. With the push of the button you can bring in your awning to sit out the storm. Plus, with a wireless wind sensor, if you forget to bring in your awning, it can do that on its own when the wind kicks up excessively high. No other patio cover can fully retract to avoid the elements.
Permit Hassles? What Permit Hassles?
Let’s face it, if you’ve ever had to deal with permitting a home project, you typically never want to do it again. It is a slow, tedious, and expensive process. One that requires patience and willingness to change your plans if it doesn’t fit to the intricacies of building codes or how some officials may interpret code. Fortunately, unlike virtually all other patio cover types, including pergolas, gazebos and lanais, awnings typically do not require a permit. Install it and use it. No permit hassles!
Any Consideration of Worth Must Include Cost
When evaluating worth one needs to consider price. And this is where awnings shine. As noted above, motorized retractable awnings are typically a fraction of the cost of other types of outdoor covers. That said, the cost of an awning varies greatly. A simple manual awning, in a small size and with a more basic fabric, can be less than a third the cost of a larger, fully motorized awning with a built-in protective hood, lights, and front or side screens. But rest assured, regardless of model chosen, awnings are still at the top of the value chain.
We think this analysis clearly shows that awnings are more than worth it. They provide numerous benefits that can help virtually everyone enjoy their outdoor living more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are motorized retractable awnings worth it compared to manual?
For many homeowners, yes—motorized models are easier to use, so people extend/retract them more often and get more real-world value from the awning.
Do awnings help with summer heat inside the house?
Often, yes—by shading windows and glass doors, an awning can reduce direct sun (and heat) entering the home during peak afternoon angles.
Can retractable awnings be used in rain?
They’re commonly used for light rain and drizzle, but they are not meant to replace a permanent roof in heavy, wind-driven rain. In rough weather, retracting is usually the smart move.
Do retractable awnings require a permit around Portland or Vancouver?
Rules vary by city and project details. Generally speaking, most wall-mounted retractable awnings are commonly treated differently than permanent structures and do not require permitting. But to be safe, you should verify for your address with your local municipality (and HOA (Homeowners Association) rules, if applicable).
Will an awning protect outdoor furniture and grills?
Yes—shade helps slow sun fading (UV = Ultraviolet) and can reduce weather exposure when the awning is extended. Pro Tip: never use your grill, smoker, fire pit, etc when the awning is extended – the excessive high temperatures from them can damage the awning fabric.
What’s the biggest “gotcha” people don’t consider?
Mounting location + sun angle. A quick site look helps confirm projection, height, and any obstructions (gutters, lights, rooflines).