Lateral-arm style retractable awnings have become a very popular solution over the past 25 years. With recent advances in technology, awnings can be extended by remote control and retracted automatically when the wind kicks up. Adding a retractable solar screen valance allows awnings to shade the setting west sun very effectively. Single awning units can cover a deck area up to 30 feet wide by 13 feet deep.
New Structure-type retractable awnings are designed to cover these same decks or patios with a self-supporting leg structure or mount over an existing pergola structure. These new constant tension awning units are all motorized and are designed to handle the elements better than the lateral-arm style awnings. Single units are available up to 16 feet x 16 feet and a triple unit can handle areas up to 48 feet wide.