Thursday, June 28, 2012

A Little More About the Retractable Awning

For those of you who requested a few more shots of the retractable awning, I've tried to give you an idea of what it is all about.  Here you see it fully extended.  It extends to the edge of our patio and shades the majority of the patio.  Ahhh ... relief at last :).

Here I am sitting on the patio (in the glorious shade:) watching my boys play the new yard game they bought their dad for Father's Day.  You can see that there is a slight overhang along the front edge.


This will give you an idea of how it is attached to the brick wall.
You can also see how it rolls up on the roller.
It was quite loud when they were drilling into the brick.
In this picture you can also see part of one of the "arms" that hold the awning out when it is extended.

In this picture the awning is about half way open.
You can see how the arms are moving in.
When the awning is fully extended the arms are straight out.


This is how it looks when the awning is in the up position.
The salesman brought a book of swatches that we could choose from.  There was just about every color you could think of and even some with patterns.  We opted for  a shade that would match our trim and grout colors on the house.
We had it installed before Easter and have been enjoying it  immensely since then.  Sometimes I even extend it when I'm in the house to keep the sun off the furniture.


As I was taking these pictures I was under the watchful eye of this little wren.


She was making sure I wasn't going to bring harm to her little nest.


A couple of weeks ago we watched as she and her mate were very busy preparing their nest.  We didn't have the heart to take it down after all of their hard work, so it has remained.  The movement of the awning hasn't seemed to bother it.  Once the babies have flown the coop we will remove it.  I guess by now you already know that we are bird lovers. 
I hope this has shed some light on the retractable awning for those who may be interested.  It is a bit of an investment, but we now believe it to be well worth it.  If you have any specific questions that I haven't answered for you, please feel free to ask.

15 comments:

  1. I have seen the commercials for those...that is way cool...and I bet it really works great!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your patio, and the retractable is a blessing for sweet shade! Cute little wren. xo

    ReplyDelete
  3. It looks beautiful! Enjoy your weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That little wren likes to live dangerously, yet covered!

    What a great selection you made. The awning looks fantastic and I'm so glad that you are using and enjoying it. It must make that area very pleasant indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a beautiful, practical touch that awning adds to the back of your home. I think it will be one of those additions that keeps on giving for you. I appreciate your kind heart in caring for the Wrens, and as always, you captured it perfectly on camera.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cute little wren!
    Your home is so pretty, inside and out!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great idea to get the awning. Looks great.
    I would have left the birds nest there too.
    What a beautiful patio you have and your brick house looks beautiful too. I'd love to see a picture of your house!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your patio is beautiful and I can see how the awning has made it even nicer. Thanks for the tour! The little wren is adorable...interesting how they like being near people. Nearly every year, we have them build a nest on our porch somewhere.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your home and yard are so beautiful. The awning is really neat, I'm sure you all will really enjoy the shade it will provide.
    Have a great weekend!
    Cute little birdie...

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kim, that little wren is so cute! Your yard and home is beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your patio is beautiful, and I like the new awning,, I know it has really come in handy during this heat wave. Enjoy your weekend.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kim,
    First of all, I would not be able to stop eating the Lemon Sugar cookies. Guaranteed. Aren't boys great to have around? I do love feeding them. I don't have any of my own, but my daughter's boyfriend is happy to oblige me.
    The patio and the awning are gorgeous. What a great place to relax!

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a lovely addition! Would love to have that with the heat we have been having in Alabama!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I bet that you guys are enjoying the coolness that the shade provides...as do the Wren family. Bless you for allowing them to stay.

    Have a happy 4th, Kim!

    xo
    Becky

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love your patio and the awning looks great! You are going to enjoy that for years to come! The wren is so cute! I wouldn't have the heart to take down that nest either. We're bird lovers too. For the past couple of days I've heard a bird that I'm unable to identify. Time to get the field guide out! Happy 4th of July to you and your family. Enjoy that awning!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are welcome and appreciated.
I will do my best to answer any questions here in the comments section.