Retractable awnings are a great sun protection system: durable, low maintenance, energy efficient, and low cost. Using retractable awnings also offers specific benefits to business owners in two ways: capital improvements that maximize the appeal and functionality of a building and an improved customer experience that gives shoppers, visitors, and passers-by a more pleasant and enjoyable experience in front of a store or building.

Fixed and Retractable Awnings: What’s the Difference for Business?

Traditionally, fixed awnings have been the mainstays of commercial awnings, but retractable awnings are becoming an increasingly appealing option as awareness of retractable sun protection systems grows for an important reason:

Longevity.

Fixed awnings have a fabric lifetime of five years or less because of constant exposure to the sun, snow, rain, and wind, all of which can fade or tear the fabric. Retractable awnings have a huge advantage in being able to retract – the fabric can be protected in adverse weather conditions. Combined with options like a motor and sensors (for light, wind, rain, and motion), the awning can be closed automatically in conditions which would normally damage the fabric or frame. Retracting the awning when it’s not in use, like on shady or cold days, cuts down on sun damage to the fabric from UV exposure. With a retractable awning, the average lifetime for the fabric is 15 years – three times better than a fixed awning. Since retractable awning frames have warranties of up to 25 years and motors have warranties up to 5 years, motorized retractable awnings offer a really excellent cost investment.

Also, retractable awnings have financial benefits over fixed awnings that make them a tempting solution:

• Retractable awnings are overall less expensive than fixed awnings to install, and they don’t require a contractor.

• Retractable awnings are about a quarter to a third of the cost of permanent construction to cover and utilize the same square footage.

• Because many styles of retractable awning arms are spring-loaded, there are no support posts to install, to block the view from under the awning, or to act as a potential hazard for children and pets.

• They require virtually no maintenance, not even mandatory cleaning.

Capital Improvement Advantage

Retractable awnings have interesting ways of saving a business money:

• Direct energy cost savings. Sun protection systems cut heat buildup in a room as much as 77%, translating into a direct utility bill savings of up to 25%.

• “Dual use” as signage and promotion. Business names, logos, and telephone numbers can be printed on the awning, which saves money on constructing and designing separate signs.

• Extra square footage. Retractable awnings can be used in a variety of applications and have virtually unlimited uses from ticket booths and ATM kiosks to smoking areas and employee break areas. This provides comfortable exterior spaces without extra construction costs.

• Tax deductible capital improvement.

• Municipal incentives. Retractable awnings even fall under many municipal capital improvement programs: cities like Norfolk, Virginia; Austin, Texas; San Jose, Calif.; and Philadelphia, all have small business and downtown development programs which offer incentives on capital improvement projects – and all specifically mention awnings as desirable (and incentivized) options. A municipal program can pay anywhere from 25% to 50% of the cost of the retractable awning.

Bettering the Customer Experience

Retractable awnings can create a more pleasant outdoor experience. This has subtle but tangible effects on customers. The area around entrances is cooler and shaded, protected from rain, and generally more pleasant to be in. The primary function of a better customer experience is better foot traffic. The stylishness of the awning makes customers want to browse, and the glare, heat, and rain protection makes it more comfortable for them to do so.

The sun protection has a dual utility, though. The UV protection (since sun’s rays never reach the interior) preserves window displays and interior furnishings and prevents fading. Even the inside of the store is more appealing for customers, and the heavy investment in signs and merchandise is protected from passive sun damage.

Buying Smart

Retractable awnings offer potential to business owners to improve their public exposure affirmatively – in a way that is still cost-efficient and simple. Maximize that investment:

• Get commercial frames. The best-engineered frames are from Europe, and these are the commercial-grade awnings. Residential (medium quality) awnings and their components are made in the US, while budget awnings are generally from China and are of the lowest quality.

• Buy online. For one thing, buying online costs about 35% less than buying from a brick and mortar store. A good online company will provide 3D images of what the awning will look like on your building, fabric samples, and ample installation support, along with long warranties, so there’s no risk in the product quality.

• Look for engineering quality, meaning TÜV and Eurolab certifications. These mean the frame has been thoroughly tested.

• Get automatic accessories. According to industry studies, motorized retractable awnings are four times more likely to be used than manually operated awnings. Other features like sensors (for sun, wind, rain, and motion), pitch adjustment for rain runoff, and remote controls can also improve retractable awning use.



Thanks to Eric Scop for contributing this article to our Canopies blog:

Portable Canopy Tent