Two situations where you should replace your current awning with a retractable one
In either of these two situations, you should consider replacing your standard awning with a retractable one.
1. You have a new household member who has different preferences regarding the awning
If someone new (such as your partner or a housemate) has moved into the property and they have a different preference to you regarding the use of the current awning, then it might be best to replace it with a retractable version. For example, if you like the fact that the awning keeps the sunlight and its heat out of the room that it's closest to, but your new household member finds the total absence of natural light in this room during the day annoying, then getting a retractable awning might solve this issue.
You could, for example, keep the awning extended for most of the day (and thus keep the room's temperature reasonably low) but the other person could still retract it for an hour or two in the afternoon when, for example, they want this room to be a bit sunnier whilst they're studying in it.
Similarly, if your new household member specifically wants to sunbathe in the area under the awning for an hour each day (because, for example, this is the only location in the garden where there is plenty of privacy), getting a retractable one will let them use this as a sunbathing area, without you having to give up your awning, which is so useful when you need some outdoor shade.
2. You've planted a tree near the awning
If you've just planted a tree beside your awning, then you might need to put a retractable one in its place. Awnings that are right beside deciduous trees will, when these trees grow tall, usually end up being smothered in the trees' leaves throughout autumn. If your awning is always extended, then your tree will also cause this issue, and you'll be forced to regularly go up to the top of the awning to scrape off the leaves so they don't cause damage. If you don't want to do this, then you should get a retractable awning, that you'll be able to keep rolled up when the tree's leaves are shedding.
Additionally, a retractable awning will allow you to make use of the slight shade the tree provides, instead of the total shade provided by the awning, on those days when it's only a little bit too hot or bright out and you don't necessarily want to block out all of the sunlight.
To learn more, contact companies that supply and install awnings.