Manual Patio Awnings: The Benefits and Drawbacks

The most significant benefit of a manual sunshade is its simplicity. The traditional crankshaft is an easily constructed mechanism that is very low-maintenance. Without a motor, this uncomplicated piece of equipment is both easy to operate and repair if it should be damaged. This brings down the initial investment cost of your shade, as well as any possible ongoing maintenance expenses. A manual awning puts the control entirely in your hands! 

The biggest drawback of a manual awning is almost self-explanatory – it comes with manual labor. It can be tiresome to crank the shade whenever you want to roll it in and out. Manual arms force you to adjust it yourself each time you want to change the position of the awning; getting up each time breaks up conversations or relaxation!

Motorized Patio Awnings: The Pros and Cons

A benefit of motorized shades is that they do not require physical labor during the process. This means unrolling or rolling up your canopy is a stress-free process – you don’t have to get up from your lounging or interrupt your socializing to adjust your awning. They take any sweat out of the process and have no learning curve as long as you know how to press a button! This can make life easier and more peaceful when trying to relax outdoors.

Motorized arms are made of the strongest, most durable material for retractable awnings on the market. They are more likely to withstand higher wind speeds than manual arms due to their tougher construction. Equipping a motorized awning with a wind sensor provides the best protection possible! 

Motorized awnings have a more complex construction than their manual counterparts. Subsequently, they have an increased number of potential points of failure. This construction and the motorized component require more frequent maintenance than a manual arm, and when they break, it is usually more expensive and time-consuming to fix. Frequently, calling a professional patio cover specialist is necessary to complete repairs on motorized arms due to their complicated nature. A gas leak is a common issue with a motorized arm awning, which requires patching and refilling to continue rolling or unrolling your unit. Another potential breaking point is the motor, which could need replacement every few years depending on the quality of your shade.