A retractable outdoor awning is the best way to provide shelter, usability, and aesthetics for a more outdoor comfort with family and friends. They are more cost-effective for a home or care environment than the sunroom addition – something that can take time to construct and maintain.
An outdoor spent in the afternoons and the evenings are pleasant when summer is coming up. So, if you are looking for enough time to spend on your deck, the question is, can retractable awnings be used in the rain?
Find answers from this article as elaborated.
What is it made of?
A retractable awning is made of fabric materials that can repel water. While some are water resistant, others are waterproof and can’t allow any water.
Take note of that because the material is an essential element to consider when searching for an outdoor awning. Good material can withstand heavy downpours. Hence, water will not damage your furniture.
Light and heavy rains
If monitored at the right angle of runoff, light rains are fine. However, heavy rains are often accompanied by heavy winds that might carry away the awning and thus limit you from spending quality time outdoors. In addition, your awning might fold up due to the winds.
Summer is also related to heavy storms that come without warning. A retractable awning is often constructed to allow the water to run off and prevent damage from self-soaking with stagnant water.
Check the design
Quality design and construction are other wonderful and unique characteristic. Retractable awnings are often certified by the technology surveillance association, ensuring that the awning has met the required quality and safety industry standards. It also recommends that the awning be fully retracted in adverse weather conditions.
In addition, the awning is mounted to the exterior wall or roof of the home, which often grants additional coverage.
When should you not use it?
While it should be okay to use your retractable awning outdoors and enjoy the fresh view and air, it’s not recommended in some rains and snow, for example, during a snowstorm dropping six to seven inches of snow. Don’t use it in monsoon-level weather, either.
Here are examples of awnings that are fully advised not to be used in heavy rains:
- Canopy awnings.
- Commercial or residential awnings.
- Folding lateral arm deck and patio awnings.
- Slide on wire canopies only for sun protection and not heavy rain protection.
A waterproof retractable fabric awning usually focuses on a higher protection level from heavy rains, thus coming with a higher cost. The basic structure of the fabric can be semi-transparent and exclusive.
The difference lies in the specifications like heat resistance, weight, and thickness; these will determine whether you will be fully protected from heavy rains.
You can also get freestanding and attached-to-the-wall retractable awnings with beauty, solid structure, and design.
Below are a few examples of retractable awnings that can be easily installed to cover your deck:
- Adana – Adana awning has a forthright and clean design, with a firm roof to protect you and your guests from heavy rains.
- Antalya – Their design is attractive, with a curved retractable roof using non-rusting aluminum frames and stainless-steel parts. That gives you adequate time to enjoy your outdoor retreat without fear of heavy downpours.
- Konya – This awning gives you flexibility and convenience because of its unique feature. It shades part of your patio and leaves the rest in the open.
Conclusion
Can retractable awnings be used in the rain? Well, they are designed for heavy rains and give protection from heavy downpours with rotating roofs. So, yes, they are, and we hope this post has helped to answer the question comprehensively.
If you want more information, contact AZ Sun Solutions for commercial and high-quality retractable awnings. We have over 20 years of experience in awnings installation in Phoenix, AZ.
