Retractable Arm Awnings
Retractable arm awnings have quickly gained popularity in the market due to their versatility, convenience, and ease of installation. Typically made of aluminum, a lightweight yet durable material, they feature extendable arms connected to the main structure. These arms allow the covering fabric to be rolled and unrolled as needed. The awning covering is made of PVC, acrylic fiber, natural fabric, or technical fabric. Read more
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They provide shade from the sun, creating spacious shaded areas, making them ideal for private residences as they guarantee minimal clutter thanks to the presence of the containment box. They can be installed on walls or ceilings and offer a stunning aesthetic thanks to the presence of the cassette. A true design element that can conceal not only the extendable fabric but also the electrical components.
BT Group offers various types of awnings, differing in shape, structure, and purpose. Based on individual needs, one can choose the one that best suits their requirements. Among the most used and appreciated are retractable arm awnings. Versatile, convenient, and easy to install, they have captured a significant portion of the current market, becoming one of the most requested and used models
Home Automation Solutions for Awning Movement
Some models of retractable arm awnings feature an upper cassette, inside which the covering is housed whenever the fabric is retracted. This cassette combines functionality and technology. It consists of a steel tube around which the covering is rolled, manually or mechanically, and is placed inside a rigid structure called the “cassette.”
The cassette is usually made of plastic or aluminum and protects the covering fabric from weather conditions and corrosive agents. It also houses any mechanical and electrical components for operating the awning.
The arm tensioning system with motorized movement can be activated using a simple multi-channel remote control. A simple click extends or retracts the front, always keeping the fabric perfectly tensioned. The awning’s lighting can also be controlled via remote control. The lighting system is integrated into the lower profile of the cassettes and consists of dimmable LED strips with high illuminating power. This is a practical and intelligent solution that perfectly meets the diverse lighting needs under the awning.
Retractable Arm Awnings: Manual or Mechanical Movement
The covering of retractable arm awnings can be manually or mechanically moved, opened, or closed. In the first case, the movement is operated by an operator who directly acts on the crank lever through a crank handle (which also adjusts the inclination, height, and amount of projected shade). In the second case, the movement of the covering is mechanically operated using a small but powerful electric motor. The system is connected to the structure’s control with a remote control from which the impulse to activate the movement starts. Outdoor retractable arm awnings can be adjusted in extension and inclination. In any position, they always ensure perfect tensioning of the covering fabric. The fabric has been designed to withstand strong external stresses, such as sudden gusts of wind or adverse weather conditions. Robust and effective in extreme dynamic conditions, BT Group retractable arm awnings are structures with unparalleled performance. Despite their considerable extension, capable of shading large outdoor spaces, arm awnings remain particularly sober elements with minimal and elegant lines. This simplicity is made possible by the presence of the invisible cassette that perfectly encloses every external, mechanical, and electrical element.
Retractable Arm Awnings: A Rich Catalog of Models
BT Group offers a wide variety of models, structures, dimensions, and materials in its catalog. Choosing the right awning depends on several factors: the size of the area to be shaded, the aesthetic style to be respected or realized, and the materials used based on the model. To choose in the most direct, simple, and correct way, it is advisable to rely on expert professionals, such as BT Group laboratories, who can find the most suitable solution for every need. Estimates and purchase of retractable arm awnings are also available online.
How Retractable Arm Awnings Are Constructed
This type of awning consists of a supporting structure, usually made of aluminum. This material is preferred over others for its lightweight construction and inherent strength. Attached to the main structure are the “extendable arms”, which allow the covering fabric to be rolled and unrolled as needed. Finally, the central part of the awning, the covering fabric, is often made of PVC, acrylic fiber, for greater resistance to weather conditions.
Some retractable arm awnings offer additional protection to the covering fabric, provided by the cassette. When retracted, the covering is rolled around a steel tube inside a rigid structure, made of plastic or aluminum, which protects the fabric from weather conditions and exposure to atmospheric and corrosive agents. In these cases, the cassette also houses the mechanical movement components. However, they can also be made without a cassette to meet space and size requirements. The covering fabric can be operated manually or automatically. In manual arm awnings, the movement is generated by the operator’s action directly on the crank lever, reachable with a simple crank handle. With the crank handle, usually, you can adjust the angle, height, and amount of shade required. Motorized folding arm awnings, on the other hand, operate through the action of an electric motor, more or less powerful depending on the model. The automatic system is connected to the structure’s control with a remote control from which the impulse to activate the movement starts.
Covering Fabrics
To make the covering fabrics of the awnings, various types of materials are used. Depending on the resistance or the desired effect, you can choose between covering fabrics:
– natural fiber (such as hemp, cotton, canvas cotton)
– water-repellent fabric
– polyester and acrylic fibers
– micro-perforated fabrics PVC
In general, it is important that the material used to make them is resistant to the action of sun fading. Ultraviolet rays, in fact, have the ability to make the color fade or even just reduce the intensity and vivacity of the color.
When and Where to Use Arm Awnings
The very name of awnings identifies their usefulness, but not exhaustively. Surely the main reason they are installed is the need to shade a specific outdoor environment. But it’s not the only one. Designed to shade and refresh public places, terraces, entrance doors, warehouses, balconies, porches, courtyards, etc., they also perform an excellent decorative function. Beautiful and functional furnishing accessories, in addition to helping protect from the sun’s rays, they furnish outdoor environments with style and elegance, respecting the characteristics of the buildings. Also to be considered is the savings factor. It may seem secondary, but in reality, the greater the coverage and shading obtained from a awning, the less the use of any air conditioners. With the right installation and correct angulation, they can reduce the energy used by air conditioners by 30% to 50%. Last but not least, the “privacy” factor should also be considered. Today, more than in the past, it is necessary to carve out private, distant, and secure spaces from prying eyes. Arm awnings can be an accommodating solution to solve many privacy problems if installed correctly.
How Installation Works for Arm Awnings
The installation of awnings is not particularly complicated, but it requires special care to fully exploit their characteristics and fully enjoy the resulting benefits. It is therefore better to avoid do-it-yourself and rely on professional and specialized companies, such as BT Group, to avoid unpleasant post-installation inconveniences. It is necessary to evaluate and choose the various anchoring points correctly, also analyzing the quality of the wall and plaster where the structure will be placed. A wrong initial choice may result in not obtaining the right shading at different times of the day, or even premature falling or detachment. Consequently, it is better to leave the work to those with experience.
Maintenance of Arm Awnings
To ensure that the lifespan of an arm awning is long, ordinary conservative maintenance is required. Nothing too complicated or difficult, but undoubtedly very important in terms of durability. For quality arm awnings, it is best to avoid the use of pressure washers or steam machines, which could damage and remove the water-repellent layers covering the covering material. Therefore, avoid acidic or highly alkaline products (such as caustic soda or lye), corrosive, or abrasive products. Arms and winches must be degreased from time to time. If the awning is suddenly hit by strong wind or unexpected summer rain, before rolling up the covering fabric, it will be necessary to wait for it to dry completely. In this way, it will be possible to avoid the formation of unsightly mold stains. The best thing to do is always follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer and retailer to ensure accurate and thorough cleaning, as well as remarkable durability over time.
