The best retractable awning! A retractable awning is a perfect way to protect your home or business from rain and bad weather. Rain can cause mold, rust, and other problems if not taken care of quickly enough. You don’t have to worry about this with an awning! Retractable awnings are easy to install and remove- unlike traditional outdoor coverings that require heavy equipment.
Whether folding arm awning, pergola awning, or cassette awning – awnings are real all-around talents. They protect the occupants on the terrace from sunlight and prying eyes, they ensure with integrated UV protection that garden furniture and upholstery do not fade and in light summer rain, they offer a protective roof over your head. But are awnings suitable as rain protection at all? How much moisture can an awning withstand and what should you look out for?
Awnings belong to the almost indispensable construction elements in the outdoor area. Due to their large-area cloth covering, they are able to shade larger areas continuously and effectively. In addition, an awning creates a homely flair on the terrace, it provides privacy and visual protection. In principle, privacy and sun protection are the two main applications for which awnings were originally designed. Therefore, they are suitable as rain protection only to a limited extent.
This article will discuss all aspects of buying the best retractable awning for your needs!
Table of Content
Top 5 Retractable Awning For Rain
Last update on 2024-12-06
1. AECOJOY Retractable Patio Awning
Last update on 2024-12-06
AECOJOY Retractable Patio Awnings will keep you and your family cool and shaded out on the hottest of days. These awnings are the perfect addition to the back porches, balconies, courtyards, or patios that need some shade during these warmer months. Easily installed by using one person once it arrives at your home! Crafted with detailed aluminum for durability and steel rope for strength.
Pros:
- Powder-coated aluminum frame
- Double steel cable
- Easy installation
- Made of polyester and PU coated fabric
Cons:
- Uninformative instruction
2. Best Choice Products Retractable Patio Awning
Last update on 2024-12-06
Our heavy-duty outdoor awning will protect you from the sun and provide shelter. Making it easier to take comfort in your garden or to relax at home, without having to worry about getting wet. Just pull our powder-coated steel frame up with the ease of your hand crank-bearing design! The UV-treated polyester fabric repels water, dirt, and debris that can damage this canopy, keeping it just as beautiful for years.
Pros:
- Strong powder-coated aluminum frame
- Provide UV- and water-resistant coverage
- Smooth opening
- Supplied with a set of fasteners
Cons:
- Uninformative instruction
3. Outsunny 8′ x 7′ Retractable Patio Awning
Last update on 2024-12-06
The sun can really do a number on your house, but Outsunny’s retractable patio awning is here to save the day. Keep it shady and cool with this automatic patio extension that extends up to 8 feet long providing extra protection for big openings like doors and windows. Comes in 3 different shades of blue, has an aluminum frame that resists rust, and stainless steel hardware that doesn’t corrode or break easily – all you have to do is provide mounting screws for wood-framed homes!
Pros:
- Smooth and silent opening
- Protects against harmful UV rays
- Can be attached to various surfaces
- Aluminum and steel frame
Cons:
- Uninformative instruction
4. Outsunny 10′ x 8′ Retractable Patio Awning
Last update on 2024-12-06
The Outsunny 10 x 8 Retractable Patio Awning is made to keep you shaded and cool. With an aluminum frame that resists rust, this sunshade patio awning features the hand-crank style for easy opening. The polyester fabric with PU waterproof coating protects whatever surface you attach it to from the hot rays of the sun. Use it above windows or doors or both to stay safe!
Pros:
- Can be attached to various surfaces
- The kit includes all fasteners
- The opening mechanism works smoothly and silently
- Aluminum and steel frame
Cons:
- Instructions are not clear
- Motorized not available
5. MCombo Retractable Patio Awning
Last update on 2024-12-06
MCombo Retractable Patio Awning! It has been proven to give you the best quality, durability, and protection from the elements. With a fully corrosion-resistant T5 grade aluminum frame and 280g/m² Polyester +PU coating fabric, this awning resists water quite well. It is lightweight without having to compromise on strength because it was built with a solid structure that never waivers. This Sun Breeze product also sets up in just minutes because of its crank handle design which makes operation quick and easy for its users.
Pros:
- T5 grade aluminum frame
- Has 50UV + sun protection
- 3 months warranty
Cons:
- Installation requires 2 people
Awning cloth: moisture protection through impregnation
The good news first: a small rain shower will not harm a good awning. High-quality awnings are equipped with special, weatherproof awning cloths that can reliably repel a certain amount of moisture.
The reason for this lies in the high-tech material, which is specially manufactured for outdoor use, as well as factory impregnation, which is a standard feature of good awnings. This impregnation not only provides basic protection against moisture but also ensures that the awning cloth has dirt-repellent properties. Dust, grease, or oil literally roll off the cloth, so that it is permanently colorfast and looks well-groomed.
A particularly effective special treatment is the surface impregnation of the awning fabric with Teflon. This form of impregnation has the advantage that not only the surface is protected, but the fibers of the awning fabric are also individually coated. This increases the dirt and moisture repellent properties of the awning so that the awning cloth is considered weather resistant.
Care of the awning cloth
In principle, the impregnation of the awning fabric lasts a lifetime. However, its technical performance also depends heavily on the use and benefit, as well as the correct application, and therefore may possibly deteriorate over the years.
If you notice that the awning tends to become dirtier over time and moisture no longer beads off, as usual, you should first clean the awning. Since the awning fabric is a special textile, it should only be cleaned carefully and gently. To do this, first, remove coarse dirt from the surface of the cloth with a hand brush or soft brush and then wipe with a sponge and lukewarm water. For heavier soiling, you can add a little mild detergent to the water and spray the awning cloth with a garden hose. Under no circumstances, however, should you use a high-pressure cleaner. This can cause lasting damage to the awning fabric. Afterward, the awning fabric must dry completely before it is retracted again.
How much rain can an awning withstand?
Every owner of an awning will have already experienced it: A cozy summer evening on the terrace and then the sudden onset of rain. In the case of a brief, light shower, the balmy evening is not further disturbed by such a weather event in most cases. Basically, however, the following applies: An awning is not designed as a rain cover and should therefore be retracted in the event of heavy and persistent rain.
Waterproof awnings
Good awning covers are considered water-repellent due to their manufacture and surface treatment – but not waterproof. Awnings that provide permanent protection against rain and moisture are referred to as “rain awnings” and in practice are mainly used in the catering industry. To achieve the desired water resistance, the awning fabrics are processed differently than conventional awning cloths. For example, the seams are ultrasonically welded and the fabric is usually additionally coated on one side, or the textile is made of 100% waterproof PVC tarpaulin fabric. However, these surface features also affect the awning cloth itself. Waterproof awnings are usually less translucent and have poorer wrapping characteristics because the fabrics are heavier. In addition, they are only available in limited designs. These are also the decisive reasons why rain awnings are rarely used in the private sector on terraces and balconies.
Awning in the rain: Rules of thumb
- Awnings are principally designed for sun protection. The following therefore applies in principle: Conventional awnings must not be used as rain protection and should always be retracted, especially in heavy rain! However, a light, short shower cannot harm the awning, provided that the awning fabric has been treated with an appropriate impregnation to protect it against moisture.
- The angle of inclination of the awning must be taken into account. This must be at least 57.2 °F so that the water can flow off the awning cloth and it does not come to damaging water accumulations.
- Wet retracted awnings must be immediately extended again to dry after rain to avoid moisture damage such as mold and mildew stains.
- Intelligent sensors such as rain monitors help to reliably protect the awning from moisture.
