Seven Benefits of Retractable Awnings by Undercover Blinds

7 Things You Probably Don't Know About Retractable Awnings

Most Australian home-owners understand the value of a high-quality retractable awning. You probably know that patio and window awnings are excellent for protecting you from harsh summers and rainy Melbourne winters. You probably also realise that retractable awnings can be a beautiful addition to the design of your home, complementing both indoor and outdoor decor.

So, what else is there to know? At Undercover Blinds, our team has over 100 years combined experience in the industry and we are experts at creating custom-made retractable awnings. As such, we have a few secrets up our sleeves. So, without further ado, here are the top 7 things that you probably didn't know about retractable awnings for windows, patios and balconies.

They can reduce heat inside your home too.
Retractable awnings prevent solar radiation from penetrating your glass windows and doors. This decreases heat inside your home by up to 70% and can even reduce your air conditioning use by half. Retractable awnings are also excellent UV blockers, getting rid of 98% of these harmful little buggers and protecting you and your family from skin cancers and nasty burns.
They can make a great home office.
Retractable awnings are (of course) wonderful for outdoor entertaining. But there are all kinds of creative uses to consider for your new-found living space. For those who work from home, relocating your home office to an outdoor setting is a great one to think about. You will be amazed by how much more productive and relaxed you feel. In fact, studies have shown clear benefits of contact with nature while working including reduced stress and fewer health complaints.
They can be fully automated to suit your lifestyle.
Most people are aware of the motorized awnings on the market that can be extended and retracted with the push of a button. But did you know that retractable awnings can also be fitted with automatic sensors? Awnings can be retracted or extended based on motion sensors, wind sensors, sun sensors or timers. They can even be connected to a c-bus system - a luxury smart-home product which allows you to control your home's lighting, sound system, temperature and more. Simply program your ideal environment and relax!

They can be used as a cooking space.
Most Melbournites know that mentioning the word "barbeque" is a sure-fire way to bring on a torrential downpour. Provided that your retractable awning is fitted by a professional at the correct height and angle- there is no reason why you can't BBQ in your new outdoor entertaining space. No need to worry about soggy steaks or last-minute menu changes. Your guests can simply relax and enjoy your culinary delights, whatever the weather.
They will add value to your home.
By creating additional living space, retractable awnings add instant value to your home. Premium patio awnings can add stylish entertaining and family areas and improve lifestyle selling points. Window awnings at the front of your home can increase curb appeal and also decrease energy bills - a big draw for potential buyers.
They can be fitted to almost anything.
With literally hundreds of colours and styles to choose from, retractable awnings are an incredibly versatile product. Available with all kinds of attachment brackets, patio and window awnings can be fitted to angled windows, circular windows, triangular windows or any overhead structure. They can also include variable pitch controls to adjust the angle of the awning to suit any situation.
They can cover huge areas.
Traditional retractable awnings are often designed to simply shade a window or provide a little cover over a doorway. While you can certainly still use them for this application, we bet you didn't know how much area you can cover with modern awnings. In fact, our retractable awnings can be as big as 18 metres wide, projecting up to 5 metres from the building. The average outdoor living space is just 5X7 metres, so you can have much more space than you think!

So, there you have it. 7 things that you probably didn't know about retractable awnings! If you are thinking about making a purchase, we invite you to take a look at the Undercover Blinds product range and contact us for a free measure and quote. We would also love to hear from you if you have discovered a creative new use for your retractable awning that we didn't mention here. Stay tuned to our blog and Facebook page or sign-up for our e-newsletter for more inspiration, promotions, tips and trends on all our retractable awnings and shade solutions.