| One of the most common questions about | | | | the angle of the retractable awning can be made |
| retractable awnings is "Can it handle rain?" And, | | | | steep enough to cause the water to run off.o |
| depending on the climate of the customer, the | | | | Use a rain sensor which, when the retractable |
| rain question is quickly followed by questions | | | | awning has a motor, will automatically retract the |
| about whether retractable awnings can handle | | | | retractable awning when it begins to rain. |
| snow, strong winds, sleet and other atmospheric | | | | Snow impacts retractable awnings differently than |
| conditions. | | | | rain. Snow and ice tends to build up, layer on layer. |
| The most accurate answer, is it depends. It | | | | Along with putting stress on the fabric, snow and |
| depends mainly on the type and severity of the | | | | ice can put enough weight on the retractable |
| weather. The good news is that retractable | | | | awning frame to bend and damage the lateral |
| awnings have options to respond to almost any | | | | arms and the mounting (torsion/square) bar. |
| weather condition. | | | | There isn't a "snow sensor," but having a motor |
| Why Weather Affects Retractable Awnings | | | | with an indoor switch or radio remote control |
| Anything outdoors is subject to some kind of | | | | makes it easy and comfortable to retract the |
| exposure to weather; when looking at retractable | | | | awning even in cold weather. |
| awning options, part of the decision lies in | | | | The Impact of Wind and Motion |
| determining what the options are for responding | | | | Good quality retractable awnings are designed and |
| to weather. | | | | tested to withstand winds up to 35mph, so |
| Fixed awnings, canopies, and gazebos are fixed in | | | | almost any day is safe. The rule of thumb is this: |
| place. The fabric is stretched taut across the | | | | if it's too windy to sit outside, it's too windy for |
| frame and supported by stanchions. This | | | | the retractable awning to be extended. However, |
| inflexibility is what makes them vulnerable: sun | | | | wind gusts can be a hidden danger. Sudden, sharp |
| damage wears out the fabric, the frames | | | | wind shears can cause immediate damage to |
| become weather-beaten and weak. The posts | | | | retractable awnings, twisting and wrenching the |
| and frames offer limited support against wind, | | | | frame. |
| though it leaves the fabric more vulnerable to the | | | | There are sensors for both types of wind. A |
| weight of snow and rain. | | | | standard wind sensor measures the current wind |
| Retractable awnings are fixed in place only at the | | | | speed and retracts the retractable awning when it |
| base; their support is from tension springs in the | | | | gets above a certain user-defined point. A motion |
| arms of the retractable awning. High-quality | | | | sensor can detect abrupt movements, something |
| frames are lightweight aluminum, which is strong | | | | common as a storm kicks up. Both sensors |
| and durable. However, because they aren't | | | | recheck wind conditions, so the retractable awning |
| supported externally, anything that puts heavy | | | | can be automatically extended as soon as it is |
| stress on the frame - like heavy weight or sharp | | | | safe. |
| movements - can potentially cause damage. | | | | Design Makes a Difference |
| Retractable awnings have a significant advantage, | | | | The shape of the retractable awning makes a |
| though. Fixed canopies simply wear out after | | | | difference in how well it handles the elements. |
| exposure to weather; retractable awnings can | | | | Traditional awning styles are flatter, with a taut |
| retract into a hood and be protected. | | | | stretch of fabric between arms (called |
| The Impact of Rain and Snow | | | | lateral-arm). Dome retractable awnings, however, |
| The biggest danger of both rain and snow is the | | | | are steep, rounded, and closer to the building (due |
| weight. Very light precipitation - drizzle, fog, a | | | | to shorter projections), providing good run off and |
| very light dusting of snow - doesn't have enough | | | | protection from precipitation as well as making |
| heft to damage a high-quality retractable awning | | | | them more resistant to winds. Dome retractable |
| when it's extended. But steady rainfall or snow | | | | awnings are ideal for windows, doors, and |
| can cause problems. | | | | walkways. |
| Rain has the biggest impact on the fabric. The | | | | The key part is, assess your climate. Do you get |
| rainwater pools on the fabric and, over time, | | | | heavy rains? Does snow linger or melt off? Is |
| causes the fabric to stretch, sag, and possibly | | | | there a lot of wind or storms? With a motor and |
| tear. There are two ways to prevent damage | | | | the appropriate sensors, retractable awnings can |
| from rain:o Adjust the pitch of the arms, so that | | | | be safe in any climate. |