Decision Making: Retractable vs. Fixed Arm Awnings

Sydney’s sunshine is glorious—sometimes overbearing. A cool, shaded spot to relax outdoors is a must. Outdoor Blinds and Awnings offers a variety of awning solutions, but choosing the right one depends on your needs and lifestyle. Let’s explore the two main awning types: fixed arm and retractable.

Permanent Shade and Style

Imagine a permanent shady haven on your patio, deck, or window—fixed-arm outdoor awning blinds offer exactly that. They’re permanently mounted to your wall and provide continuous shade throughout the day. Here are some of the benefits of fixed awnings:

• Year-round shade: Permanent protection from harsh sun rays and UV exposure helps keep your home cooler and reduce air conditioning use.
• Durability: Fixed awnings (from Outdoor Blinds and Awnings) are built to withstand Sydney’s weather, offering long-lasting protection.
• No manual adjustments required: You don’t need to worry about retracting or extending the awning; relax and enjoy the shade.
• Stylish options: Like the classic Dutch Hood, fixed awnings add a touch of elegance to your home. With various shapes and colours, you can find an awning that blends seamlessly with your property design.
• Diverse uses: Fixed-arm outdoor awnings can be placed above doors, windows and over small patios—the choice is yours.

Flexibility at Your Fingertips

Retractable awnings offer you the best of both worlds: shade when needed and open skies when you don’t. You can extend the awning for shade with a simple crank or motor and retract it to bask in the sunshine. These are the benefits of retractable awnings:

• Control the amount of shade you desire throughout the day.
• Retract the awning to enjoy the full view of your outdoor space.
• Unlock a wider variety of options with retractable awnings, like our folding arm awnings—perfect for patios and decks. Some other popular options include the contemporary Cleo with its semi-cassette design and the ultra-stylish Cubebox full cassette folding arm awning.