Retractable shades are perfect for outdoor areas that can be enjoyed with or without overhead covering depending on weather conditions. While keeping an outdoors feel, retractable shades can provide excellent protection from the sun, wind or light rain with the push of a button.

When Should I Consider Retractable Shades?

Retractable shades are perfect to install over an existing deck or patio because no walls are required. Retractable shades can work off of an existing structure or over free standing outdoor living spaces. If you have a large or oddly-shaped area, retractable shades are an excellent solution because they can be built to cover almost any shape and up to 600 sq. feet. Some spaces may require you to combine multiple canopies which allows for further versatility. Many design options are available when picking a fabric for your retractable shade. There is a colour to match any existing outdoor design and all fabrics are guaranteed not to fade.

If your outdoor living space is located on a side of your home that receives a lot of sunlight at one time during the day and is shaded at other times, the versatility of retractable shades are perfect to accommodate comfort no matter what time of day the space is being used.

Retractable shades are fairly low maintenance. To increase the lifespan of your shade fabric, it is beneficial to clean the shades a couple of times a year to avoid any buildup of outdoor material. If you are in an area with a lot of trees this is especially important, particularly if you have pine trees shedding their needles onto your retractable shade. This will also stop animals such as birds from creating a home and nesting in your shade.

What Other Options Do I Have?

Retractable shades are most valuable because of their versatility. They can be installed almost anywhere and provide as much or as little protection as you would like. However, if your outdoor living space is in an area that consistently experiences extreme weather conditions, a retractable shade may not be as durable as you would like, and the versatility may not be as valuable for your needs. If you are looking for something more static, aluminum awnings are another option to consider if your space is located off of an exterior wall of your home. Aluminum awnings last for decades always looking new and require very little maintenance. However, they do not provide the luxury of a retractable shade.