Adding roll up awnings to your house, patio or backyard is a welcome protection from harmful UV Sun rays or rainy weather. Not only are they are useful for enjoying the outside sitting areas on very hot days or in warm rainy weather but they are very easy to open and close when not in use.

Roll up awnings are often quite a bit cheaper than a motorized, retractible awning or dome awnings because the man power to open them is less expensive then purchasing an electrical attachment. Not too mention manual roll up awnings are a good arm workout. They are very easy to install either by yourself or with the help of a professional and can be utilized immediately. The best part is you can roll them up and store them away quickly in the case of high winds or rain/snow storms.

The shaded area awnings provide can make sitting in your backyard a lot more tolerable on hot summer days and reduce your area temperature but at least 10-20 degrees. Or just imagine being able to sit outside on summer days when there is a light sun shower instead of running inside.

One of the best advantages of roll up awnings is that you can cover entrance ways to your home, which secures you from icy front stairs, rain or snow. This added protection gives you time to get your keys in the front door without slipping or getting wet. It is a welcome addition for visitors also or perhaps any elderly relatives you may have stopping over. Your guests can make there way to your door without worrying about slipping and hurting themselves.

So when choosing your roll up awnings make sure to check out all your local home improvement stores and sources online to find the best prices and deals.

When it comes to awnings there are two types: a retractible awning and fixed awnings.  Obviously home owners tend to go with the more flexible option rather than a fixed awning which may cost a lot of money to install and is a permanent fixture rather than something you can maneuver. Not too mention the supporting poles of the fixed awning may block views or get in the way of landscaping certain areas of your yard.

Not only does a rectractible awning protect you from the elements they provide a larger area of shade or protection than just a regular sun umbrella. They also protect your doorways from icy steps or rainy days when you are trying to get your key in the door.  On hot days you can retract the awning out to stop the direct sun rays from coming in your house or on cold days retract it back in to allow the natural sun to heat your house. Fixed awnings do not give you the flexibility of roll up your awning to protect from heavy storms or high winds….so you risk damage.

The other to consider when buying a retractible awning is whether you want an electric awning or manual one.  Even with the added bonus of an arm work out, manual roll up awnings may not be suitable for elderly or ill homeowners as they require quite a bit of upper body strength.  Nonetheless, they are quite a bit cheaper than the motorized versions.  Motorized awnings usually come with a remote control or have a switch near by to roll your awning up with ease.  So although you may pay a bit more for the convenience of a remote control awning it may be worth your time and effort.  Don’t forget, however, that you will need a power outlet near your motorized awning.

As for installing either of these awnings, both are relatively easy to install, however, for elderly people or those less inclined to manual labour, perhaps getting a professional is the way to go.  This way you know it is installed correctly and efficiently.  It could take you close to part of a day to do it yourself but pro’s can do it within an hour usually.  Do not forget, however, that an electrician may be needed for the electric version if there isn’t a power outlet near by. So when deciding on which retractible awning you desire weigh all the pros and cons carefully.

So when it comes to roll up awnings most people have a hard time deciding between whether they purchase the less expensive, manual labor awnings or the more expensive electronic, automatic awnings.  When helping clients decide I look more closely at  the ease of use for each individual owner rather than perhaps the cost or aesthetic aspects of the type of awning.

If the client is elderly or in ill health the automatic type of roll up awning is much more suitable and less dangerous.  I may even steer them in the direction of a fixed awning instead of a retractable one which would halt the process of taking any time whatsoever of moving it up and down.

In addition to the age/health of the client I would look at the weather conditions of where they reside.  If they live in a particularly rainy climate, where storms can pick up rather quickly, electronic awnings would be much more appropriate.  Otherwise the home owners would be standing outside in the flash rain storm rolling the awning either down to protect themselves when the perhaps want to stay outside on a summer day, or up when the winds might be a bit too strong and they need to run inside quickly and get the awning up quickly.

If the client is in good health and lives in a dry, hot climate, the best choice would be  manual roll up awnings.  Not only are they a good arm work out but they are considerably less expensive, not too mention, a heck of a lot easier to install because you do not need an electrical outlet near by.