Awnings, Pergolas or Screens, oh my!

Choosing the Perfect Outdoor Shade Option 

Looking to update your outdoor space, but not sure where to start? We recommend working on a covered or sheltered spot to eat, entertain and relax away from the hot sun. Find out more about the various types of outdoor shade structures, including motorized screens, motorized awnings and smart pergolas, that you can install outside, and which one is right for you.  

What is a Pergola? 

A pergola is a free-standing structure, usually consisting of parallel colonnades supporting an open roof of girders and cross rafters. They are typically square or rectangular and offer partial shade to those sitting underneath. Many folks opt to have climbing plants wind their way up and over the top for additional shade.  

Here at Somfy, we prefer to motorize the slats on top of our pergolas for maximum flexibility and convenience. When it’s cloudy or late in the day, open the slats for more breeze and when it’s midday, close the slats for full shade underneath and stay cool. A smart pergola means you get the most use out of your outdoor space.  

Pergolas are very flexible – you can build one out in an open backyard, right next to your home or even on top of a balcony like our friends Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt on Rock the Block.  

What is an Awning? 

An awning is, by definition, a sheet of canvas or other material stretched on a frame and used to keep the sun or rain off a storefront, window, doorway, or deck. In order to be useful, most patio awnings are motorized so they can be easily tucked away in bad weather or when they aren’t being used.  

Somfy makes motors for retractable awnings, as well as sensors that automatically detect when the awning should be tucked away due to high winds or extended due to high sun heat. 

We think awnings are the perfect addition to any deck or patio space next to a home that doesn’t have any shade. Awnings have to be mounted to a structure of some kind – they are not free-standing like pergolas. We’ve also seen more creative awning applications, like this one from our friend Dick in Michigan, who put 2 awnings on top of his outdoor bar.  

What are Retractable Screens? 

Retractable screens are any screen built to move up and down, whether they’re built around a patio, gazebo, pergola or garage door. Motorized screen materials offer a vast range of privacy levels and even colors.  

Motorized screens are great for covered patios, especially if you live in an area with lots of mosquitos, flies or other insects. They can also be a wonderful solution for garage workspaces that need more airflow or even front porches, where you need to open a screen regularly to allow for entrance into the home.  

With Somfy motorized screens for patios, you can use our wind sensor to automatically retract the screens in bad weather.  

No matter which outdoor shading option you choose, Somfy motors are compatible with remote controls, wall switches, smartphone app control and even voice control with Alexa or Google. Set up a schedule so your patio awning cools the patio off before you sit down to eat or your screens stay up throughout the winter months.  

Making your outdoor space more enjoyable is something that you’ll love for years to come, so don’t put it off any longer – get in contact with a local dealer today.