Awnings are popular for many reasons. They not only add style and elegance to both residential and commercial buildings, but can also greatly increase energy efficiency. The combination of these factors has made awnings one of the favorite after-market accessories to beautify a home or business. Awnings are generally broken down into two categories: stationary and retractable.

Retractable awnings are probably one of the most sought after and unique accessories to add to a home. According to real estate agents and home beautification experts, retractable awnings are the Cadillac of awnings. They offer style and elegance with the additional benefit of opening and closing as needed.

Retractable awnings are equipped with levers that allow the homeowner to manually adjust the pitch and depth of the cover. They use spring-loaded arms to create tension in the awnings fabric. You can adjust the awning to whatever level you prefer; it can be fully extended or only extended partially. Retractable awnings give you the ability to provide as much or as little shade as you desire.

You can also have retractable awnings installed that are electronically adjustable. Electronically manipulated retractable awnings are recommended for outdoor use only if an electrical outlet is available outdoors. Having an electronic retractable awning inside can prove to be a headache because you will be required to have a licensed electrician to install them; this adds considerably to the overall cost.

Some people prefer manual adjustments while others prefer the automatic or electronic motors. Even with the electronic versions of the retractable awning, most will have a manual override feature to use in case of power outage or other problems. You can also get retractable awnings with a remote control to access the power from a different location within the property.