An outdoor awning can be a great addition to your deck, patio, pergola or any other outdoor living space. Outdoor awnings extend upon your outdoor space, creating a dining and entertainment area perfect for relaxing with family and friends. These shade structures and coverings not only improve a home’s aesthetic appeal and resale value, but they can also help you save on energy costs by controlling solar heat penetration and build-up in your home. But to enjoy these benefits, it’s important that you choose and install the right type of outdoor awnings.
Here are the four main types of outdoor awnings:
Retractable outdoor awnings and blinds are equipped with a mechanism that allows residents to extend or retract the awning cover. These shade 
structures offer a great solution for blocking sun and rain on an outdoor living space without having to permanently alter a structure or erect obstructive support poles. Unlike permanent shade coverings, these awnings mount directly to the house and expand over the outdoor space when in use, but can be retracted into their housing mechanism when not needed. The retractable shade coverings themselves are typically made of a durable fabric, and are available in a wide variety of colours and patterns.
Retractable outdoor awnings or blinds can be either manual or automatic or manual. Manually operated retractable awnings are opened with one’s hands through the use of a crank or handle, while automatic awnings are motorized and typically function by a remote-controlled electric motor. Both models come in several different styles, including: retractable patio covers, retractable pergola awnings, folding arm awnings, retractable lateral arm awnings, retractable side or drop awnings, and retractable solar shade screens.
These outdoor awnings can be a great option if you’re looking for shade covers that provide shade without shutting out the view. They allow you to control sunlight exposure so you can enjoy an area when it’s bathed in full sunlight or when it’s shaded by the awning, making them a great option for decks, balconies, patios or pergolas as well as commercial hospitality applications such as outdoor seating and alfresco dining areas in restaurants, pubs, cafes and clubs.
Fixed Awnings
Fixed awnings consist of secondary roofing structures, which are added onto the exterior of a building. These shade structures are often seen in private residential homes, installed above windows and doorways, and they are also used in commercial settings on various types of businesses in much the same way. They are designed to block the sun’s heat in warmer months – which helps keep energy costs down – and to shield people from the elements. Fixed awnings are also beneficial for their aesthetic appeal.
Fixed outdoor awnings offer an economical solution for providing shade and/or rain protection for doorways, windows and large outdoor areas such as patios and decks. These awnings are generally installed over a doorway or windows to shield people from various harsh weather conditions that occur throughout the year. They act as a secondary roof, deflecting rain and debris from the area that they are protecting and preventing the need for sweeping. These structures add a source of shade when the sun is hot and bright, cooling the adjoining rooms and the areas between the weakest structures in a building. By so doing, they provide a comfort feature to the occupants or patrons in the building that wouldn’t be possible if a shade cover was not installed.
External blinds and shutters are shade coverings typically made of durable, sheer materials that work to absorb heat and block out solar rays. These 
shade coverings are typically attached to the outside of a window casing or on patios, decks and porches. While all solar blinds have the ability to block sunlight, external blinds and shutters block sunlight and heat before it even enters the building; and as a result, these coverings have a greater capacity to reduce room temperature. In fact, they can reduce solar energy penetration by up to 80%.
External blinds and shutters are also more efficient at keeping heat in during the winter and lowering the cost of summer cooling. The superior ability of these shade coverings to allow for ventilation and block insects, add privacy to a living space and shade an area from the direct glare of the sun has made them handy for residential applications as well as commercial and industrial use.
Most external blinds and shutters are usually designed to be rolled up or down to use (the blinds travel UP and DOWN to retract and extend, respectively). They are available in a wide range of styles, designs and models, such as Helioscreen External Blinds, Straight Drop Verandah Blind & Shop Blind, Ziptrak, System 3000, External Venetians and External Shutters, as well as a full range of colours. All are typically hard wearing and easy-to-clean. For ease of use, some models are fully automatic, with optional weather sensors to adjust for sun, rain and wind.
These shade coverings can be installed horizontally or vertically, and are ideal for patios, decks, balconies, court yards and wet areas. They will not only provide protection against the hot sun and rain, but also allow you control over air flow and sunlight, while maintaining privacy and security.
Umbrellas
An outdoor umbrella provides a simple but effective way to block sun and rain on a patio, deck or an outdoor seating area. This piece of outdoor furniture looks like any other umbrella, though it is usually larger in size – which allows it to provide shade or protection to several individuals or a large group of people at once. Like other types of umbrellas, outdoor umbrellas collapse and open through a hand-turned crank or physical manipulation of the accessories. These shade structures come with some sort of stand to help them remain upright and resist against wind, though some may be erected through the centre of a table as well. They are typically used as part of outdoor furniture, such as a patio set.
Outdoor umbrellas come in a wide range of designs, shapes and patterns. They are also available in many different styles, including: architectural umbrellas, patio umbrellas, pool umbrellas, cafe umbrellas, and cantilever umbrellas or side post umbrellas.
Designer umbrellas and commercial umbrellas are particularly ideal for patios and decks, since they tend to be extremely strong and can withstand even the most demanding conditions. Awnings installers typically provide a full installation service, including free advice and design ideas, to help homeowners and businesses install the right outdoor umbrella. If you’re looking for shade coverings for a restaurant, hotel, shopping centre or any other public area, then these outdoor umbrellas can be a perfect choice.