Waterproof Retractable Awning: All You Need To Know
When you think of a retractable awning, you probably envision using it on sunny days to protect yourself from UV rays. However, you also know you’re likely to keep it extended when it begins to rain. If so, it’s best to have a waterproof retractable awning.
Should you be wanting to enjoy your outdoor patio even when rain, wind, or an occasional storm passes through, here is how our team at Rollac can help you have rainproof awning that will look great, stand the test of time, and keep you dry and comfortable.
Are Retractable Awnings Waterproof?
Generally speaking, a retractable awning will be waterproof and rain proof, at least to some extent. Though most awning fabrics in use today are made to be water resistant, the level of waterproofing you get with your awning will depend on the quality of its material, and also whether or not it has a waterproofing coat on the fabric.
If you want waterproof awning for decks, particularly if you have a restaurant, it is best to purchase a retractable awning that contains a waterproofing coat, since this increases the awning’s longevity and makes it more suited for commercial use.
Can I Use Retractable Awnings in the Rain?
Should you like sitting outside when a rain shower is taking place, having a waterproof retractable awning will let you do this with no problem. However, be aware that rainproof awning usually works best when light to moderate rain is falling, since this is how the awning was designed to be used under normal outdoor conditions.
If you love downpours, chances are your awning won’t. When hit by heavy rains, even the best waterproof retractable awning can sustain damage. Rather than let this occur, we recommend you retract your awning and wait for conditions to improve a bit.
What About Motorized Awnings?
Thanks to the modern technology found in our retractable awning here at Rollac, you can have no worries about using motorized awnings when it is raining. When you have a motorized awning, remember that it can be controlled via remote control or even through an app on your smartphone.
Thus, if you are not near your patio when the wind and rain from a storm arrive, you will still be able to retract your awning very quickly and avoid having it sustain any damage.
Also, keep in mind that with today’s state-of-the-art motorized awning, most are equipped with wind sensors, meaning the awning can automatically retract once wind speeds reach certain levels.
What is the Best Water-Resistant Awning Fabric?
The answer to this question can be tricky, since there are different types of awning fabrics that may work better in sunny conditions than in wet conditions.
Here at Rollac, our retractable awning comes with a waterproofing coat that makes the fabric very resistant to water damage, stains, and mildew. In addition, the coating also helps the fabric self-clean itself, but that doesn’t mean you won’t have to clean your awning yourself now and then.
As for which type of fabric is best for your awning, we believe that high-tech fabrics such as advanced polyester and acrylic fiber work best for all types of awnings. Along with offering high levels of protection from the sun’s UV rays, these fabrics are also much more water-resistant, meaning they are less likely to stain or allow for the growth of mildew.
How Can I Waterproof My Awnings?
If you wish to have rainproof awning and ensure it stays at its best for many years to come, it is actually very easy to waterproof the existing awning you have on your patio or elsewhere.
Before you apply the waterproofing coat to your retractable awning, always give it a thorough cleaning beforehand with soap, water, and a soft brush. Once you’re satisfied it’s ready, grab a spray bottle and fill it with a petroleum-based liquid waterproofing solution. However, when selecting your waterproofing solution, always verify it is okay to use it on your awning’s specific type of fabric.
To get a water-tight seal, give your awning two coats of the solution. While you want to soak the fabric, you don’t want to overspray and have the solution running everywhere. Once you are done, we recommend you let it dry from four to six hours. As a final touch, grab your garden hose and spray your awning. If you notice little beads of water on the fabric, you’ve now got waterproof awning.
Contact Us Today
When it’s waterproof retractable awning you want, our team here at Rollac can make it happen for your home or business. Rather than purchase retractable awning from someone else and hope it can withstand the next storm, put your trust in our awning experts. Contact us today.