How Can A Retractable Awning Help Me Reach My Goals in 2023?

It’s that time of year again! With a renewed sense of purpose and hope, you start the year ready to tackle new goals and projects. Did you know that adding a retractable awning to your home can help you reach your goals in 2023? Whether you are planning on saving money, connecting with family and friends more often, or improving your overall health, retractable awnings can help you reach that goal.

Saving Money

With costs soaring on many of our most basic needs, saving money on your electric bill can be especially helpful. With a retractable awning, you can reduce cooling costs in your home by up to 50%. In addition to that, your small investment will also help reduce wear and tear on your patio furniture and add value to your home!

Connecting With People

Connecting with friends and family is so important. If you hope to spend more time with loved ones in 2023, a retractable awning can add additional living space to your home. This added space is the perfect place to host dinners, game nights, and other events. Not only will you be able to host more people, but you will also have the great outdoors to provide the perfect scenery. 

Investing in Your Health

If your health is becoming a greater priority in 2023, you might be surprised by how much a retractable awning can help. Awnings block 90% of the sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends retractable awnings to help reduce your risk of developing skin cancer while still enjoying your outdoor spaces. Creating this additional, protected space for your home allows you to exercise, garden, and nurture new hobbies in your beautiful outdoor oasis. Who knew that becoming an awning owner could help your physical and mental health?  

Happy New Year from Central Florida’s #1 retractable awning supplier and installer. At Authority Home Solutions, we have been helping homeowners in the Villages, Ocala, Gainesville, and the surrounding areas to create safe, beautiful outdoor spaces that add protection and value to homes. As a SunSetter authorized dealer, we are happy to help provide you with the highest quality products and service. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation! We look forward to helping you start the year off with an investment you are sure to love! 

A Christmas Party to Remember: Holiday Hosting in Florida

Florida is known for its mild winters. Most days we enjoy temperatures in the 70s with a few cooler days sprinkled throughout the season. While families in other states huddle around the fire and stay indoors, Floridians can still host amazing parties in the great outdoors. This holiday season, host the perfect patio holiday party with these holiday hosting tips.

Warm Drinks

Consider having a few warm drink options available to your guests. A hot cocoa bar complete with marshmallows, sprinkles, and candy canes is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. You also can’t go wrong with classics like coffee, tea, and mulled cider. If you make the cider at home, you are guaranteed to fill the area with the delicious and warm holiday scents of cinnamon and clove. 

Make It Cozy

Adding soft pillows, throw blankets, candles, twinkling lights, and a fire pit can really transform your outdoor spaces for holiday gatherings. While it might not get that chilly, if your celebrations are in the evening, your guests will appreciate the extra warmth and coziness. 

Make It Fun

Have a few holiday games and activities planned for your party. Board games, ugly Christmas sweater contests, karaoke, and crafts are great ways to keep your guests entertained as you celebrate the season together. 

Make It Safe 

A retractable awning provides you and your guests with protection from 99% of the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Even in winter, the Florida UV index can climb pretty high, and no one wants a sunburn for Christmas! Hosting a party under your awning also ensures that you and your guests have protection from light rain as well. In the evening, your awning creates the perfect space to hang holiday decor and lights!   

At Authority Home Solutions, we are passionate about helping homeowners create beautiful and safe outdoor spaces that they can enjoy for many years to come. For over 10 years we have been providing Ocala, The Villages, Gainesville, and the surrounding areas with elegant, functional, and affordable retractable awnings that extend outdoor spaces with style. We also offer storm protection and EasyShades for your home as well. Contact us today for a free estimate. Happy Holidays from your friends at Authority Home Solutions!

Cleaning Your Retractable Awning for the Holidays and New Year

Your retractable awning works hard, rain or shine, to keep your family and guests protected from the sun’s damaging rays, intense heat, and light rain showers. As durable as they may be, they do need cleaning from time to time. Fortunately, with a SunSetter retractable awning, you have peace of mind knowing that your awning’s fabric is water, mold, and UV-resistant, so it requires cleaning far less often. 

The holidays are a great time to clean your awning in preparation for guests or a fresh start for the new year. With a SunSetter awning, the cleaning process is fairly simple and you probably have all that you need to clean your awning right at home. Just remember, if you decide to try any specific types of cleaner not mentioned here, plan on testing a very small section at first to ensure that it is safe for use on your awning. 

To start the cleaning process, or maintain in between more thorough cleanings, use a broom to gently sweep away any dirt or debris that may have gathered on your awning surface. This is also an excellent time to inspect for any rust or damage to keep your awning operating optimally. You can also hose the fabric down in between cleanings, but remember to let it dry before retracting it. 

To clean your awning more thoroughly, we suggest using a mild, eco-friendly liquid soap and a soft bristle brush. If you choose to use something like a pressure washer for this, operate it at the lowest possible setting so that you don’t damage your awning or frames. Rinse your awning from top to bottom and allow it to dry. 

Using this gentle method to clean your awning ensures that you don’t damage the fabric or any protective coatings on your awning. With careful yearly cleaning and maintenance, your SunSetter awning will provide you and your family with safe, comfortable, outdoor spaces for many years to come. 

At Authority Home Solutions, we are passionate about helping homeowners to create safe and beautiful spaces outside their homes. We love hearing about all of the ways awning owners are enjoying their spaces and the ease of opening and closing it with the touch of a button. If you or someone you know is considering making a smart investment in their own outdoor oasis, you can count on Authority Home Solutions to provide exceptional products, installation, and customer service. For over 10 years we have been providing Ocala, The Villages, Gainesville, and the surrounding areas with elegant, functional, and affordable awnings that extend outdoor spaces with style. We are a SunSetter authorized dealer, and also offer storm protection and EasyShades for your home as well. Contact us today for a free estimate.

Getting Your Awning Ready for the Holidays

Retractable awnings provide year-round protection from intense heat, damaging UV rays, and rain. Not only do they add value to your home, but they also create beautiful spaces for your holiday celebrations and decor. Here are a few ways you can use your retractable awning to elevate your outdoor holiday decorations. 

Light Up the Night

When adding holiday lights to your home, don’t forget your awning! Choose lightweight sets of lights that compliment your awning fabric. Whether you choose colorful lights or classic white, we suggest cost-effective LED lights. 90% of the energy used by incandescent bulbs escapes as heat, making LED bulbs far more energy-efficient. 

As with any indoor or outdoor light display, it’s best to plan before you start. Gather your supplies and measuring tape, and make sure that you test each of your light sets before you begin. Check for areas that may be damaged as well. Make sure to choose awning hangers, clips, or fasteners that won’t damage your awning. It’s recommended that you give at least 10 inches of space between each strand of lights on your awning. 

Accessorize Your Awning 

Lights aren’t the only way to accessorize your retractable awning. Lightweight decor such as wreaths, ribbons, bows, garlands, tinsel, figurines, fake snow, and even inflatables will complement your awning with added holiday cheer. Just be sure that any items you add are secured safely and can withstand any outdoor conditions that nature might throw your way this holiday season. 

If a beautiful and practical retractable awning is on your wishlist this year, you can count on the quality installation, products, and customer service of Authority Home Solutions. For over 10 years we have been providing Ocala, The Villages, Gainesville, and the surrounding areas with elegant, functional, and affordable awnings that extend outdoor spaces. We are a SunSetter authorized dealer, and also offer storm protection and EasyShades for your home as well. Contact us today for a free estimate. We are ready to help you make your winter wishes come true!

Grateful for the Sun but Enjoying the Shade: Awning Upgrades for Your Home in the Villages, Florida

Many homeowners relocate to start their retirement adventure in the Villages, Florida. We welcome our newest neighbors and often meet new residents when they realize that while the warmth of Florida is a paradise for many, the sun can be very intense. 

Your eyes and skin take a great deal of damage from the sun’s UV rays. Sunburn can be painful and make it difficult for you to enjoy other activities that the Villages retirement community has to offer. Those same UV rays also increase skin aging and cause skin cancer. To avoid this, you could stay indoors for most of the day, but then you miss out on your daytime adventures and opportunities to host friends and family. Lathering on sunscreen multiple times a day can also be uncomfortable, costly, and downright inconvenient. Could there be another way to enjoy your tropical paradise?    

Having a retractable awning installed on your home adds tremendous value to your structure, and best of all, it provides the perfect amount of shade and protection! You can enjoy the warm days, the stunning views, and your outdoor spaces, all while avoiding 90% of the sun’s damaging UV rays and light showers. A retractable awning can be purchased with manual or motorized retraction and comes in a wide selection of colors and styles. Imagine being able to open your awning with the touch of a button!

At Authority Home Solutions, we are proud to help Villages residents enjoy their retirement in safety and comfort. Our clients love their new awnings and we hear countless stories about how they are enjoying their new outdoor spaces. Our quality installation, products, and customer service make us Central Florida’s most reliable awning company. For over 10 years we have been providing Ocala, The Villages, Gainesville, and the surrounding areas with elegant, functional, and affordable awnings that extend outdoor spaces with style. We are a SunSetter authorized dealer, and also offer storm protection and EasyShades for your home as well. Contact us today for a free estimate. We look forward to helping you enjoy your new adventure!