Especially in Wilmington, North Carolina where the summer temperatures and humidity reach unbearable points, retractable awnings are a great way to escape the summer heat on a deck or patio. Retractable Awnings are our most popular item, and everyone has the same question, “how much does a retractable awning cost?”

Like everything else, there are hundreds of options on the market and consumers often get confused between all the different choices. In this article we’ll explain what drives the cost up or down and a few of the benefits of retractable awnings.

What determines the cost of a retractable awning?

There are several factors that determine the cost of a retractable awning in 2025.

These include:

1. Awning Operation Type – Most retractable awnings are operated either manually with a hand crank or powered by a tubular motor. manual or motorized.

2. Size – Awnings are measured by the width of the entire unit and the length of the fabric projection.

3. Material – The type of material use manufacturing awnings dictates the price of the unit. The main parts of an awning include the housing and frame, the motor and electrical components, and the fabric.

4. Add Ons – There are several add ons available for retractable awnings such as LED lights, wind sensors, and drop shades.

5. Installation – Most homeowners choose to have retractable awnings professionally installed but you can save money by installing the awning yourself.

6. Brand – While there’s only a handful of awning brands, each brand offers different options that either keep costs down or drive the cost up.

The operation types of Retractable Awning

There are two types of retractable awnings, manual or motorized.

A manual retractable awning is operated with a hand crank pole that you manually twist in a circular motion to roll out the fabric. Once you are finished using the awning, the same crank is used to retract the awning back into the housing unit. While manual awnings are less expensive, the hassle of cranking out and in an awning generally is a turnoff during the purchasing design. Awnings are used quite often in the summer months and cranking them in and out daily is less than ideal.

Motorized retractable awnings are operated by a tubular motor that expands the awning out and back in with the push of a button. While they are more expensive than manual awnings, the convenance of not having to spend 10 minutes cranking the awning in or out in the hot sun typically outweighs the cost.

The size of the retractable awning

The cost of a retractable awning has a lot to do with the size of the awning itself. The size of an awning is measured by its width and projection (how far out the fabric extends). Most awnings start at 9ft wide and extend out 8ft. 24ft – 25ft wide is about as wide as a retractable will go with about a 15ft projection. These numbers vary based on different manufacturers.

Can I purchase a long extension with a short width?
Because of the weight, to get 10ft or more of projection, an awning must be around 14ft wide to support the weight.

Manufacturing materials of the awning

This is a huge component to the cost of an awning. Yes, you can order awnings on amazon and Costco for under $1,000 but you are buying plastic with canvas fabric, which might only make it through one summer. The higher-end awnings, like the ones we sell, use Sunbrella for the fabric or a similar dyed-acrylic fabric. This means that the fabric will not fade, it protects against the sun’s harmful UV rays, and it’s easy to keep clean and care for. Unlike plastic, the housing and arms of ours are made from extruded aluminum which holds up better against our coastal salt air.

Awning Add Ons

There are several “add ons” that can drive up the cost of a retractable awning. Wind Sensors can be added to an awning to automatically retract when the wind picks up. Sensors can be set to a certain sensitivity, so it only retracts when the wind hits a certain speed. Ideally, your awning retracts during a storm if you are away from the home and forgot to put it in yourself. Lights can be added to some awnings so that when the awning is extended in the evening, you can still enjoy a good book. Drop shades are another popular add-on. An extended drop shade provides more shade during pesky peak hours when you just need a little extra help cutting off the sun’s rays.

It’s worth noting that our awnings come standard with a wind sensor and built-in LED’s lights in the arms. Drop shades are extra.

Installation

Installing a retractable awning isn’t hard, but it’s best to have a professional do the work. If you decide to do it yourself, you’ll need the proper tools, a ladder, the ability to lift a couple hundred pounds, and a friend to help. A professional team can take care of a retractable awning installation in about two hours. This includes unpacking the unit, prepping the area for installation, installing the unit, and cleaning up.

Brand

While retractable awning brands aren’t household names like GE, Frigidaire, and Whirlpool, the manufacturers of awnings still vary in quality and options that help determine price. Some of the more well known brands include Alutech, Sun Air, Sun Setter, and Eclipse. All of these brands manufacture high-end retractable awnings using only the best materials and components. Sunbrella Fabric is typically used on all high-end retractable awnings, which adds to the quality and cost of the overall unit.

Excusing the low-end Amazon and Costco options, you should be prepared to spend anywhere between $4,500 – $10,000 for a well-made motorized retractable awning. While it’s not the most inexpensive home purchase, it’s one that will last 10+ years, extend your outdoor living space, and provide a wonderful selling point should you ever list your home.