Motorized Awnings

Retractable And Framework Are The Two Basic Types

Awnings come roughly in two types: retractable versus framework. Frameworks are fixed in configuration so are subject to battering by wind and rain. It is also recommended that they be taken down during the winter months in snowy regions as the pooled snow exerts a lot of weight on the truss.

The retractable is much more common for these reasons, comprising some 90% of all awnings. We discuss it in general elsewhere on this site. The term retractable implies that it is folded and stored in a covered, protected configuration. Lateral arm supports swing out to hold open the fabric, using a combination of steel rigidity and spring tension to maintain the integrity of the frame.

Some 50% of retractables are in turn motorized; some people call them power shades. This means that the opening and closing is assisted by the use of a small motor. This is in contrast to opening it with a hand crank which takes time, energy and attention that is unacceptable to some people. Because awnings are installed with a downward pitch, sually the opening is gravity-assisted but the retraction is motorized.

How Do They Work

The entire shade structure is rolled up and housed in a metal tube when not in use. Inside the tube is an electric motor that is coupled to the rod around which the fabric is stored. When activated it turns and draws in the shade fabric. There are some limitations on size due to the maximum power output of a motor of these sizes but most homeowners will find that the maximum widths and depths are more than sufficient. Most popular are awnings with depth that project outward 10 to 14 feet from their attachment point. The width is more variable but sizes of 16 feet are standard with 35 feet being not unheard of.

Homeowners will likely ask first how the motorization affects the cost. The cautionary answer is that it raises it, a lot. Awnings are large structures composed of metal and woven acrylic fabrics, which imposes a high material cost on top of the manufacturer's premium. The addition of a motor raises the cost substantially higher. For example, a 16 foot wide by 10 foot deep shade has a base cost estimated to be $2,500 to $3,500, depending on whether there is labor or installation involved. With an electric mechanism the cost rises by another $500 at least.

One problem with motorized awnings is that the motor mechanism is a focal point of defects. Motors break down inevitably as they have moving parts which wear out or are damaged. It is highly recommended for one to have a back-up mechanism that is used in place when the automatic mechanism fails. To some extent a good warranty program mitigates problems but is not a panacea. The reason is because many warranties are pro-rated and limited to the original buyer. A pro-rated warranty loses effectiveness over time, because the manufacturer reduces the payout as the product ages.

Sensors add one more level of automation to management of this type of shade. It is not easy to be 100% attentive to the state of the awning, especially if the a household is big and sporadically uses the patio or deck area over the course of the day. Sensors solve this problem by automatically retracting the shade when it should not be in use. Light sensors in particular sense the amount of sunlight and extend during the day but retract at night. Two other kinds of sensors are frequently used: wind and rain sensing devices. These are used to keep the shade retracted to avoid the possibility of damage. The shade itself acts as a large sail which seriously stresses the frame if it catches the wind. The shade also collects rain if it is in the extended position, leading to increased weight and stress on the metal frame.