This guide weighs the pros and cons of manual vs. motorized retractable awnings.

Manual Awnings

Manual retractable awnings are often constrained to a 90 degree angle. Each awning has a crank handle, which is typically strung close to the wall. The arms for awnings with good design and construction should be motorized.

Inexpensive retractable awnings have noticeable design flaws. Cranks can be stiff, and the arms can be uneven. With manual retractable awnings, customers have to decide to use the awning, and then get up and crank it, and repeat crank-it-and-go-win for the arms, and control the awning motor to retract it, for changing weather or going inside.

This friction can be off-putting for customers, and can lead to awnings that have been poorly used because customers do not want to spend the extra efforts required to retract the awnings.

Motorized Awnings

Remote controlled retractable awnings have a number of features. For some models, the awnings can be controlled and retracted from certain distances using a smart phone. Other than that, retracting the awning, then using the control on the wall to set the awnings and using retracting the awning motor is all that users have to do.

It may sound unimportant until you’ve spent an entire summer with one. If you can modify the awning on your garden chair without standing up. If you are able to retract it when a cloud passes overhead, and you can have it retract when it gets windy. The awning that you can control with a wind sensor is more likely to be used and less likely to be broken.

The unravelling wind sensor is especially noteworthy. The feature that retracts a motorised awning with a wind sensor ultimately protects it from damage. A motorised awning means less time on you. A manual awning means a watchful eye which doesn’t always means retracting it either.

The Cost Difference

If you’re trying to buy good quality manual awnings that are from 3 to 4 metres wide, you’re looking at a cost range between £600-£1,200. The price of motorised awnings from the same product range starts at £1,500-£2,000. Thus, depending on the model and the width, the gap is between £700-£1,000.

Adding a wind sensor to the motorised model will add approximately £150-£300 more to the total.

The gap in costs concerning the purpose of the awning must be considered. If the awning is placed over a side patio that has an even size and is used occasionally, a manual awning will be more than enough. The motorised version will likely focus more on how the main outdoor dining area and the site will more often be used to help a greater price.

Installation

All models require the same level of construction for wall-mounted fixings. The construction for the manual and motorised versions is the same. The motorised version does cost more because you have to have the power supply at the wall fixing. Take into account the cost of an outdoor socket — an electrician to install the supply will be about £100–£200.

One Practical Note

If you are buying a manual version intending to motorise it later, you should ask the supplier if it is motor retrofit compatible before you buy. Less often, it is also the cheaper option to specify a motor with the manual version than to try to add it later.