Before We Got Started
The deck of this San Carlos home was constantly bathed in harsh sunlight making the outdoor sitting and recreation area unusable.
The western location of the deck resulted in near constant sunlight during the day–baking the outdoor and indoor area in heat and harsh sunlight.
The large glass doors near the balcony were resulting in higher energy costs due to warmer temperatures from the harsh sunlight.
It was unbearable and something needed to change.
Before
Thankfully, after discussing the situation with one of our representatives at European Rolling Shutters (ERS), we were able to design and install a custom retractable awning, ultimately turning the sunbathed space into a haven for relaxing and relaxation for the whole family.
After
The Goal of the Project
The overall goal of the project for this San Carlos family, was to create a space where everyone could enjoy and relax without worrying about harsh sunlight ruining the experience, and ideally to reduce cooling costs.
Our team first inspected the balcony deck and then discussed with the homeowners the vision and ideas they had for the outdoor area.
After collecting the necessary measurements, and creating a number of concept drawings for the homeowners, we worked with Melinda Mandel from Melinda Mandel Interior Design to customize design concepts and implementations for the final project.
Product & Features of the Installation
After a number of design concepts and iterations, we narrowed down what the homeowners were looking for, and came up with the following details for the product and features:
Product:
– 2x ERS Toga Semi Cassette Awnings
Fabric:
– Mermet Natte 5% Cocoa/Grey
Features:
– Sunbrella Crest Ash Awning Fabric
– Roof Mount Brackets
– Straight Valance
– Vario Volant Drop Screen Shade
– Solar Powered Motor
– Wind Motion Sensor (Closes awning when winds pick up and move the awning around)
– Handheld Somfy 4 Channel Remote (2x awnings & 2x screens)
– MyLink Transmitter (App based control and automation)
The Results of the Final Installation
The final installed retractable awning was exactly what the homeowners were looking for and then some! In addition to the specific awning fabric, and the retractable awning, we included a screen shade, motors, sensors, and a remote to ensure their new relaxing space would be well-protected–all at the push of a button.
The homeowners now have awnings with steel pins, insulated cables, and spring-loaded arms, making them some of the strongest and most reliable awnings available.
The motorized retractable awning also does a great job at protecting the deck from sunlight shining down from above, but thanks to shades on the side, there’s also protection for the large windows at sunset reducing the rise in the indoor temperature of the home.
When the awning is not in use, or when the homeowner wants to enjoy sunlight, the awning retracts into the hood protecting it, and ensuring the fabric stays clean and lasts for many years.
And what about the threat of severe weather? Thanks to the automated sensors, the awning and shade will sense wind speed and retract automatically in harsh weather conditions.
Level Up Your Space with Retractable Awnings
As you can see, the awnings dramatically improved the comfort and sustainability of the home in general by decreasing the solar heat gain from the west-facing windows and doors. Ultimately, the final retractable awning turned this unusable balcony space in this San Carlos home into the ideal space they were looking for–a space the whole family and guests will enjoy for years to come.
And the next story we could be telling may be yours…
Are you thinking about upgrading your home with custom retractable awnings? We can customize our installations to match exactly what you want. Our unique retractable, exterior shading, & home-security products offer you savings in heating and cooling costs, UV ray filtering, improved security and protection from thieves, and an overall increased value for your home.
Schedule your free in-home estimate & consultation! Simply fill out our contact form by clicking the button below and we’ll connect with you right away.
