The short answer is yes, motorized awnings are definitely worth it. The Florida sun is no joke. Enjoying outdoor activities typically means having a shaded area available to cool off. Motorized awnings are the perfect shading solution for your patio, deck, porch, or even business. Enhance outdoor comfortability and transform your space into the perfect entertainment setting.
Below we’ll touch on seven of the top ways your awning will enhance your outdoor experience, add value to your home, and even save you money by lowering energy bills and extending the life of your furniture.
1. Protection From Harmful UV Rays
Sunburns are uncomfortable, but skin damage and even cancer can occur when you’re exposed to the sun for too long. This doesn’t mean you have to stay inside forever, though. A motorized awning (and some sunscreen) allows you to enhance the time you spend outside without the risk. You’re also a lot more comfortable because your awning will decrease the air temperature and cool down the space. You get the best of both worlds with a shady safe haven available to turn to when the heat is getting the best of you. Even your furry friends will enjoy a little break from the direct sun to have a drink of water.
2. Entertain Guests In Style
Motorized awnings make the space feel more comfortable and look great too. The addition of an awning boosts the aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space and blends effortlessly with the current design and color palette of your home. Friends and family aren’t limited to the living room and kitchen during events. You can extend the party outside, where you’ve created an atmosphere with an awning and comfy furniture.
The party doesn’t end when the sun starts going down. We offer motorized awnings with integrated LED lighting so you can use your awning any time you desire. Plus, the LED lights promote a relaxing or exciting ambiance.
3. Motorized Awnings Enhance Your Homes Resale Value
There are three ways that a motorized awning may add to your home value,
- Boosts curb appeal
- Adds to your outdoor usable space
- Decreases energy costs
The way your home looks has a significant effect on its value. According to a study done at MSU, a home with landscaping and good curb appeal can increase perceived home value by up to 11%. Awnings are a great way to give your outdoor spaces curb appeal and are a much cheaper option compared to building a deck or porch. Overall, awnings are a great selling feature for your home.
Instead of just a backyard, you have a backyard with a shaded seating area covered by an awning. A functional, attractive space intrigues home buyers, and for the right person, this could be just what they needed to turn their maybe into a yes. Saving money is always nice, too, so the decreased energy costs that come with an awning will be a great selling point.
4. Motorized Operation
Having to hand-crank your fabric every time you want to open your awning can get tiring and feel like an inconvenience. We’re constantly searching for ways we can adapt to life and makes things easier. Which makes motorized operation such an attractive feature. With the touch of a button, you’re ready to relax.
Those with decreased mobility and other health concerns may not be able to manually operate their awning. Especially if it’s a larger awning covering a deck or patio. So the most functional option will be a motorized awning. Then you can still obtain all of the health benefits you get from spending outdoors, like lower stress levels and blood pressure.
5. Extend The Lifespan Of Indoor And Outdoor Furniture
The sun can damage your furniture just like it can damage your skin. Couches and chairs will start to look washed out and faded when they’re constantly exposed to harsh sunlight. Leather is especially vulnerable to sun damage compared to other fabrics and materials.
A motorized awning protects furniture that’s inside and outside of your home. You can protect your investment and extend the lifespan of your furniture with a shading solution like an awning.
6. Motorized Awnings Promote Energy Efficiency
Shaded areas block direct sunlight from entering your home or commercial space and cool down the space outside. In turn, you’re going to experience cooler temperatures indoors. You won’t have to run the AC as high or as often because there’s a line of defense between bare windows and the hot sun.
Being energy efficient is not only great for the environment and reducing your carbon footprint, but you’re also saving money on energy bills. Instead of blasting the AC and driving up energy costs, you can experience some relief from opening your awning. Not to mention, the more you use your AC, the quicker it’ll experience wear and tear. By using your AC less or at less powerful settings, you can expand the lifespan of your HVAC unit.
Everything is always getting more expensive, so it’s important to save where we can. The earth will thank you and your wallet when you install a motorized awning to cut back on energy use.
7. Motorized Awnings Don’t Require A Lot Of Maintenance
Home improvements oftentimes come with a lot of upkeep. Luckily, awnings don’t need a lot of care, so if you have a busy schedule or just don’t want to have an extra responsibility, awnings won’t interrupt your schedule. The design allows for very simple maintenance requirements that won’t take up to much time or energy.
To clean your awning, first, take a broom from your house and lightly dust off any loose debris like leaves and dirt. Once you have a base clean, you’ll need a bucket of lukewarm water, a soft brush, and mild soap. We want to put extra emphasis on using soft brushes and mild soaps such as dish detergent. Otherwise, you can potentially damage your awning.
After you gather your supplies, soak the brush in your soapy water and lightly scrub the fabric. Be mindful not to miss any spots because the stains will stand out against the fresh parts. Lastly, once your fabric is clean, you can rinse it thoroughly with a hose and allow it to air dry. It’s important to let the fabric dry completely before you close your awning. You want to avoid any mold or mildew growth that looks unsightly and doesn’t have the greatest smell.
You May Be Wondering…
You want to make sure you’re investing in a shading solution that works best for you. So there are a few questions you’re probably asking yourself,
- How long do motorized awnings last?
- What are the disadvantages?
- Should you go for motorized or manual operation?
- Is this the best shading solution for you and your unique home or business?
- What is the best-motorized awning?
You want to get the most out of your investment, and this means asking the important questions. Fortunately, we have answers. Educated decisions usually result in happy outcomes, so below, we’ll provide answers to the most common inquiries about motorized awnings so you can make informed considerations before making a purchase.
How long do motorized awnings last?
Motorized awnings are a long-term investment that last for up to 15/20 years. A few different factors will affect the lifespan of your awning, including how often you use your awning, how well you maintain it, and the quality of the product. If you’re constantly opening and closing your awning, it may lose function before a system that was used intermittently. This makes sense considering you’re putting extra wear and tear. When it comes to maintenance, even though it’s minimal, it’s important to sustain the quality of the fabric.
Motorized awnings are usually more expensive, but cost equates quality with these sun shading solutions. If you install a lower-quality awning, you won’t be able to enjoy it for as long as the alternative.
What are the disadvantages of awnings?
The main reason people are apprehensive to install a motorized awning is the price. These systems can get expensive, but the convenience, protection, and atmosphere that a motorized awning provides is worth it.
Another disadvantage would be having to repair mechanical issues with the awning. Sometimes the motors will break, and repairs can be costly. However, if you have a high-quality motorized awning, you should very rarely, if ever, run into these problems. If you do, your motorized awning will more than likely be under warranty.
Is motorized or manual better?
While manual options are cheaper, motorized awnings offer convenience and accessibility for people with mobility setbacks. Both awnings offer the same level of sun protection, but you may get more out of your investment with a motorized awning. Wind and rain sensors can increase the durability of your awning so it will last longer.
Motorized awnings allow you to efficiently deploy over large areas without wrestling with a crank. The fabric and bars can start to get heavier the larger the awning gets, so cranking it open can prove to be a challenge.
If you don’t mind using a hand crank and the other beneficial features, don’t tick your boxes, a manual awning will still boost curb appeal and provide protection from the sun. So there’s no saying what’s really “better” it comes down to personal preference and a desire for a more convenient option.
Are motorized awnings the best sun protection solution?
Solar screens and shutters are a great alternative or even addition to an awning. Again, the Florida heat is a whole different beast, so multiple shading solutions put you one step ahead of the rising temperatures. With shudders protecting your windows and an awning cooling your patio space down, you can achieve maximum cooling efficiency without running your AC.
If you’re looking for a shading solution that doubles as hurricane protection, hurricane shutters could be a great option. Shutters share many of the appealing benefits of an awning but will also shield windows from potential hurricane damage, like high winds and flying debris.
Next to the heat, mosquitos are the biggest problem we face spending time outdoors. Installing solar screens means decreased temperatures and protection from pesky bugs. Not to mention screens are a great way to keep animals safely outdoors without the risk of them running away. What it comes down to is what your unique preferences are, and the day to day inconveniences you want to resolve.
What’s the best motorized awning?
KE Elite plus motorized awnings are durable and beautifully designed in Italy by experienced engineers and fashion designers. Equipped with solar and wind sensors, motorized operation, and a stunning appearance, the elite plus awning is a great investment. A high-quality awning will last longer, and you won’t run into expensive repairs or other costly maintenance requirements.
If you’re looking for the best contractor to provide and install your motorized awning, we have your back. With over 20 years of experience, our team has the skill necessary to perform a seamless installation. We provide stellar customer service and treat your home or commercial building with the utmost respect.
Contact Us
If you’re looking for some protection from the heat and you want to do it conveniently, a motorized awning may be the perfect fit. Considering the various benefits, such as energy efficiency and increased home value, awnings are an investment that’s worth it. Contact us online or give us a call at 727-488-8182 for an estimate on your motorized awning.