Manual and Motorised Retractable Fabric Awning: A Comparison

If you have a deck or patio outside your house, you would know that they provide a wonderful spot for a gathering, be it a casual or formal one. That is until it rains or the sun gets too hot, especially during the warmer months.

The only way to make full use of your deck or patio in Malaysia’s weather conditions is to have something that will block the sun from baking everyone and everything out there which is retractable fabric awning.

By installing a retractable awning on your deck or patio, you will get more use out of it instead of being forced back inside when the rain falls or the weather gets too warm. Besides, a retractable awning is the most popular choice for ordinary homeowners to expand their living spaces outwards.

However, you will need to choose between a motorised and a manually retractable fabric awning. In this article, you will learn about the two types of retractable fabric awnings along with how they differ from each other.

What is a manual retractable fabric awning?

As the name suggests, a manual retractable fabric awning has a type of hand crank that requires you to rotate it to either retract or extend your awning. Using your human power to manually operate your retractable fabric awning means you won’t have to rely on electricity.

The manual operation is especially useful when you're in the middle of bad weather that can cause a power outage because it gives you the ability to prevent your awning from being damaged. It's also easier to install and more affordable since the installation doesn't require advanced electrical wiring.

What is a motorised retractable fabric awning?

Comparatively, a motorised retractable fabric awning doesn’t have a hand crank but it operates on electricity which enables the motor to retract and extend the awning when it is automated using a wall switch, remote control, timer, key switch, an app, or the sensors.

Additionally, motorised retractable fabric awnings are built with telescoping arms which extend and retract along with the awning. Thus, providing a cleaner and more direct look than manual retractable fabric awnings.

Manual vs Motorised: How do they differ?

The awning frame for both manual and motorised retractable fabric awnings are essentially the same; made of lightweight metal and rigid plastic parts. The same goes for the fabric used for the awnings. However, they differ in terms of ease of use, price, and maintenance.

a) Ease of use

A manual retractable fabric awning may require you to exert some effort to operate it but it’s usually built in a way that you don’t have to exert too much strength to turn the hand crank.

On the contrary, installing a motorised retractable fabric awning for your deck or patio will certainly save you time and effort in terms of operating the awning. All you need to do is to press a button and the motor will retract or extend the awning.

b) Price

When you compare the price of installing a manual retractable fabric awning to a motorised retractable fabric awning, the former costs much less to install. You also get to save on electricity costs.

Meanwhile, installing a motorised retractable fabric awning usually comes with a high cost. On top of that, additional costs may be required to connect the motor to the electrical system of your home.

c) Maintenance

Manual retractable fabric awning is less prone to maintenance issues as the whole setup is simple with no electrical component. Also, the presence of vertical support rods in manual retractable fabric awnings provides additional support for the awning.

Motorised retractable fabric awning, on the other hand, operates with an electric motor which has a higher chance of experiencing issues like deteriorating parts or the battery burning out. If the rain or solar sensors fail to work accordingly, the motorised retractable fabric awning may be susceptible to damage or wear and tear, requiring repairs in future.

Ultimately, when it comes to deciding between the two, your final choice depends on various factors like the level of convenience you’re seeking, your budget, and your preference.

If you’re looking to install a retractable fabric awning, consider consulting a specialist like M & N France Fabric Awning for a customisable and retractable fabric awning in Malaysia.

As Malaysia’s commercial awning manufacturer, our team of well-trained technicians can design and install awnings efficiently to meet your requirements. For more information, contact 012-9891491 or visit our showroom here.