How Does It Work: Retractable Outdoor Awnings

Styles

• Lateral arm awnings have tensioned arms, or bars, that run parallel to the awning fabric. This style allows access under the awning from any direction. Side arm awnings use long poles, mounted low on the wall beneath the awning, to hold up the front of the extended awning. These awnings restrict side movement beneath the awning, as the presence of the long poles force users to walk to the front of the awning to exit from underneath.

Mechanics

• The arms of lateral arm awnings push the front bar of the awning away from the wall. In its retracted position, the awning fabric is wound around a bar mounted close to the wall. The bar connects to a locking gear. To extend the awning, the user turns the locking gear to unwind the fabric from the bar. As the fabric unwinds, the tensioned arms push against the front bar, keeping the fabric body stretched tight. To retract the awning, the user reverses the rotation of the locking gear, winding the fabric back around the rear bar and forcing the arms back against the wall.

  Some side arm awnings use a spring-loaded front bar to hold the fabric. The user pulls the side arms, causing the front bar to turn and unfurl the fabric. Once in position, the user inserts locking pins into the side arms to hold them in position. Other side arm awnings use the back bar to wind the fabric. A fabric tape is also wound around the back bar. To extend the awning, the user pushes the front bar into position, causing the tape to wind more on the back bar. To retract the awning, the user pulls the tape, causing the back bar to turn in the opposite direction and wind the fabric around the bar.

Operation

• Lateral arm retractable awnings use either manual hand cranks or motorized cranks to turn the locking gears/bars. A switch, a remote control device or a timer operates the motorized crank. Optional wind sensors are available for the motorized versions, retracting the awnings when wind speed increases. Side arm awnings with spring-loaded front bars are operated manually. Some side arm awnings that use fabric tape are configured to operate with a crank that winds the tape.

Considerations

• Each retractable awning style has advantages and disadvantages. Lateral arm awnings are more expensive than their side-arm counterparts are. The weight of lateral arm systems limits their installation to walls with substantial support. Side arm awnings are more vulnerable to damage from high winds but are lightweight and easier to install without professional help.