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By the middle of a Hampton Roads summer, a west-facing patio can become too hot to enjoy by early afternoon. A retractable awning gives you shade when you want it and open sky when you do not, so you can get more use from your deck throughout the warmer months.
At A&A Awnings and Storm Shutters, we build custom retractable awnings to fit your patio and install them with our own local team. Once you understand how the system works, choosing between manual and motorized operation comes down to how often you use your outdoor space and how much convenience you want.
See How a Retractable Awning Extends and Retracts
A retractable awning creates overhead shade without permanently covering your patio. The fabric canopy wraps around a roller tube mounted to your home. When you open the awning, tensioned arms extend the canopy over the patio. When you close it, the arms fold back, and the fabric rolls onto the tube.
The main parts include:
- Sunbrella fabric canopy for shade, color, and pattern options
- Roller tube that stores the fabric when the awning closes
- Tensioned support arms that extend the canopy without posts on your patio
- Wall, soffit, or roof mounting hardware that anchors the frame to your home
Because the system stays attached to the house, you can add shade without moving umbrellas, rearranging furniture, or building a permanent roof over the deck.
Choose Manual or Motorized Operation
Manual and motorized awnings use the same basic canopy, roller tube, and support arms. The difference is how you open and close them. If convenience is your priority, you might consider adding a retractable awning to a patio you want to use more.
Manual Awnings for Occasional Shade
Motorized Awnings for Everyday Convenience
Why Work With A&A Awnings and Storm Shutters
At A&A Awnings and Storm Shutters, we measure, build, and install each awning as one process. Instead of ordering a stock unit through a reseller, we build your awning in our own shop to fit your patio.
You can choose the width, projection, mounting style, fabric, frame configuration, and manual or motorized operation. Building in-house also removes an extra layer of dealer markup.
Every retractable awning we make uses Sunbrella fabric backed by a 10-year fabric warranty, and we also offer a five-year frame warranty. We have installed awnings throughout Hampton Roads since 1981, and our owner, Mike McDonald, has more than 28 years of experience in the trade.
Client Testimonials
“From April coming to our home and giving us a quote to John and Jay installing our new awning, this company is very professional and reliable. John and Jay gave us an estimated time to install and appeared as promised. They were very friendly and I enjoyed watching them work as a team to perfectly install and demonstrate the electric operation with the remote. Highly recommend A&A awnings.” — David P.
“From start to finish the entire process was outstanding. April’s knowledge of the product and process was spot on. Time line for installation was accurate and completed on time. Installation team was very friendly, courteous and efficient. Of the three estimates obtained their’s was the best. I highly recommend A&A Awnings for your motorized awning purchase.” — Andy
“What a fantastic product, and fantastic team. Professional work, high-quality, and most of all extremely friendly and customer oriented. My wife and I made the perfect choice not only in having this installed on our back deck, but choosing A&A Awnings.” — Joe R.
Frequently Asked Questions About Retractable Awnings
Can You Leave a Retractable Awning Out in the Rain?
Light rain is generally fine, but retract the awning when heavier rain, strong wind, or storms move in. Closing the canopy helps prevent water from collecting on the fabric and reduces strain on the arms.
How Long Does a Retractable Awning Last?
A well-maintained retractable awning can provide many years of use. We build ours with aluminum frames and Sunbrella fabric backed by a 10-year fabric warranty. Retracting the awning during strong winds and storms and rinsing the fabric occasionally can also help extend its service life.
How Much Does a Retractable Awning Cost?
Price depends on the awning’s size, projection, fabric, mounting conditions, and whether you choose manual or motorized operation. During your free quote, we measure the space and price the awning we would build for your home.
Get a Free Awning Quote for Your Hampton Roads Patio
You do not need to figure out the dimensions or motor setup before calling us. We come to your home, measure the patio, talk through how you want to use the space, and show you the options that fit it.
Request a free quote at 757-463-1446 or through our contact form.
Written By Mike McDonald
Mike McDonald has over 28 years of experience assisting residential homeowners, commercial property owners, and architects with awnings, storm protection, and motorized shade systems. Mike purchased A&A Awnings in 2007 with the goal of providing eastern Virginia and North Carolina residents with a reliable awning and storm shutter installation service. Mike McDonald has grown A&A Awnings into the areas trusted awnings provider serving over 10,000 customers.
