4 Tips to Keep Your House Cool with Retractable Awnings

Retractable awnings are a type of supplemental roof or cover mounted on the side of a house or building. They can be retracted when you want more light in your home and extended when you need shade from the sun.

They help block direct sunlight by providing shade for windows, doors, patios, and decks around your home. When properly installed, these protective structures can help reduce your home’s heat gain from 65% to 77%.

Here are five simple tips to keep your home cool during the summer with retractable awnings:

 #1 Use a light-colored awning

The color of your retractable awning can affect how much heat enters your home, which is why lighter colors are preferable to darker colors. Lighter colors will reflect the sun’s light and heat instead of allowing radiant energy to penetrate your home. These colors help reduce the amount of heat entering your attic and other parts of your home that are prone to absorbing too much heat.

If it isn’t possible to paint your awning white, silver, or off-white, opt for lighter colors that reflect rather than absorb sunlight.

#2 Install it on the south side of your home

The south side of your home will receive the most direct sunlight throughout the day. If you install your retractable awning on this side of the house, you can maximize its use to reduce the energy needed to cool your homes in the summer.

However, if it’s impossible to place awnings on that side of your home, you can install them over those windows that receive the most sunlight throughout the day. These areas can become very hot during the summer. A retractable awning can help you manage the amount of heat entering those rooms.

#3 Maintain the proper gap

Another strategic way to keep your house cool is by maintaining a gap between the top of the retractable awning and the side of your house. This way, you’ll be able to let hot air escape before it enters your home.

For best results, the top of the awning should be about six inches higher than your roof. The gap will help prevent water from draining into your home when it rains. The gap also allows air to circulate through your home, so there isn’t an indoor temperature build-up when it’s hot outside.

#4 Purchase an awning that provides Ultraviolet (UV) protection

Lastly, your retractable awnings should block out ultraviolet rays to prevent unwanted damage to your home’s interior. You want to choose one that protects against fading and discoloration of materials inside your home. UV protection will also help prolong the life of your awning and keep it looking its best year after year. Finding awnings for sale is easy through online searches, touching base with a trusted contractor, or visiting a local hardware store. They add curb appeal and value to your home as well as their cooling benefits.

Awnings are great for increasing the functionality of your home. They can create more space for entertaining guests on your deck or patio, shade windows during the day, reduce the need for an air conditioning (AC) unit, and protect entryways from damaging UV rays.

Retractable awnings come with several benefits that make them stand out over their counterparts both in functionality and affordability, including:

• Adjustable: Retractable awnings are easily adjustable, which means you can open or retract them to fit the specific needs of each area.
• Functionality: Retractable awnings provide coverage and shade for windows, doors, and decks. They’ll protect you from harmful UV rays and keep the sun out of your eyes. Some styles allow you to install them with solar panels or rain gutters, which means they serve double duty as a source of renewable energy or a downspout to catch rainwater.
• Affordability: Compared to other sunshades and cooling systems, retractable awnings are more affordable and require minimal maintenance. The cost usually ranges from 500USD-4000USD which is lower than what you’d spend on AC (around 2,500USD to 8,000USD depending on the type of unit). On top of that, retractable awnings lower the costs of your monthly energy bills because you don’t have to crank up the AC and consume more electricity than usual.

When you take your time choosing the right retractable awning, you can enjoy all the benefits that come with keeping your house cooler during the day. Keep the above tips in mind to get the most out of these protective coverings when you’re dealing with the summer heat.

Published in: Home advice | Author: Lynn