How Much Does a Retractable Awning Cost in Atlanta? A 2026 Price Guide
Atlanta summers are long, hot, and bright. If your patio or deck sits in full afternoon sun, you know the feeling: you’ve built a beautiful outdoor space, and it’s too hot to use from June through September.
A retractable awning is one of the fastest ways to fix that. Roll it out for shade in seconds, then roll it back when you want sun or open sky. But before you start shopping, the first question is almost always the same: How much does a retractable awning cost?
Below, we break down 2026 retractable awning prices, what drives the cost up or down, and what Metro Atlanta homeowners should look for to get an awning that lasts.
The Short Answer
Most homeowners pay $800 to $4,000 for a professionally installed retractable awning, with a national average of about $2,700 for an 8-foot motorized awning over a deck, according to Fixr’s 2026 cost guide. Larger, motorized awnings with premium features can run $1,200 to $10,000 or more.
The biggest factors are size, manual vs. motorized operation, fabric, housing, and installation conditions.
Retractable Awning Cost by Size
Width (how far the awning runs along your house) has the biggest impact on price. Here’s what installed awnings typically cost by width, based on HomeGuide’s national cost data:
| Awning width | Manual (installed) | Motorized (installed) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 ft | $320 – $1,000 | $1,300 – $2,200 |
| 10 ft | $370 – $1,200 | $1,700 – $2,700 |
| 12 ft | $400 – $1,300 | $1,900 – $3,300 |
| 14 ft | $1,000 – $1,800 | $2,000 – $3,500 |
| 16 ft | $1,300 – $2,000 | $2,300 – $3,800 |
| 18 ft | $1,800 – $2,600 | $2,700 – $4,600 |
| 20 ft or wider | $1,900 – $2,900+ | $3,100 – $6,000+ |
These are national averages that include lower-cost, off-the-shelf awnings. Custom-built awnings with premium fabrics, protective cassettes, and sensors usually fall at the higher end of these ranges, or above them.
Manual vs. Motorized Retractable Awnings
Manual Awnings
A manual awning extends and retracts with a hand crank. It’s the lowest-cost option and works well for smaller awnings that you don’t open and close every day.
Motorized Awnings
A motorized awning opens and closes at the push of a button, with a remote, a wall switch, a smartphone app, or a voice assistant. Most Atlanta homeowners choose motorized, and for good reason:
-
You’ll actually use it. When shade is one button away, you use it every day, not just on weekends.
-
It’s easier on large awnings. Cranking out a 16- or 20-foot awning by hand gets old fast.
-
It works with sensors. Motorized awnings can retract on their own in high wind, which matters during Georgia’s pop-up summer thunderstorms.
Motorization adds to the cost. The motor, controls, and electrical connection typically add several hundred dollars or more. If the awning needs to be hardwired, an electrician may add $300 to $800+, according to Lippert’s awning guide.
Want to see how Somfy motors and sensors work? See our page on Somfy motorization for screens and awnings.
What Else Affects Retractable Awning Prices?
Projection (How Far It Extends)
Projection is how far the awning reaches out from your house. Common projections are 8, 10, and 12 feet, and some models reach farther. A deeper projection means more fabric, stronger arms, and more shade, so it costs more.
Fabric Quality
Cheap awnings often use polyester that fades and wears out quickly in the Georgia sun. Premium awnings use solution-dyed acrylic fabric, such as Sunbrella, which resists fading, mold, and mildew, and comes in hundreds of colors and patterns.
Housing: Open-Roll, Semi-Cassette, or Full Cassette
-
Open-roll awnings leave the rolled-up fabric exposed. They cost the least, but the fabric is exposed to weather, pollen, and debris.
-
Semi-cassette awnings have a hood that covers the top of the roll.
-
Full-cassette awnings close completely, protecting the fabric and mechanism when retracted. They cost more and last longer, a smart upgrade during Atlanta’s heavy spring pollen season.
Sensors and Smart Features
Wind sensors, sun sensors, and smart-home integration add to the price but make the awning safer and easier to use. A wind sensor can retract the awning automatically when gusts pick up, even if you’re not home. Learn more in our post on Somfy wind and rain sensors.
LED Lighting and Accessories
Built-in LED lights, drop-down front screens for low sun, and decorative valances are popular add-ons that affect your final price.
Mounting and Installation
Every home is different. Mounting to brick, siding, a soffit, or a roofline can require specialty brackets. Second-story decks, uneven walls, and the distance to the nearest outlet can also affect installation costs.
The Retractable Awnings We Install in Atlanta
Peachtree Blinds installs two leading lines of custom retractable awnings:
SunPro Retractable Awnings
SunPro awnings come with premium features as standard, according to SunPro:
-
Motorized operation with a choice of Somfy® or Dooya® motors, plus a manual override
-
Integrated cassette housing to protect the fabric
-
Built-in dimmable LED lights in the arms
-
EZ-Pitch adjustment to change the slope of the awning
-
Sunbrella® fabrics, with 30 in-stock options and more than 300 custom choices
-
Widths from 9’6″ up to 40 feet, with 8-, 10-, or 12-foot projections
-
A 10-year, non-prorated, transferable warranty covering hardware, fabric, and motors
Sunesta Retractable Awnings
Sunesta has been making custom awnings for more than 45 years. According to Sunesta, its awnings can be built up to 40 feet wide with projections up to 14 feet, 8 inches. They feature a lateral-arm design with no support poles, more than 180 fabric colors and patterns, and options like motorization and sun and wind sensors. Sunesta frames carry a lifetime limited warranty, and the fabric is covered for 10 years (Sunesta warranty details).
Not sure which is right for your home? We’ll compare both options with you during your consultation. Visit our Atlanta awnings page to learn more.
Is a Retractable Awning Worth the Cost?
For most Atlanta homeowners who want to use their patio or deck more, yes. A retractable awning:
-
Makes your outdoor space usable on hot summer afternoons
-
Protects furniture, cushions, and rugs from sun fading
-
Shades nearby windows and doors, which can help keep your home cooler and reduce air-conditioning use
-
Keeps your view open with no support poles
-
Retracts when you want sun, in cooler months or when you want to see the stars
Compared to a permanent patio cover or pergola, a retractable awning typically costs less, installs faster, and gives you the flexibility of full sun or full shade.
For more ways a retractable awning can change your backyard, read Reclaim Your Patio with a Custom Retractable Awning in Atlanta.
Awning or Motorized Screen?
An awning provides overhead shade. If you also want to block low afternoon sun from the side, keep out bugs, or enclose a covered porch, a motorized retractable screen may be a better fit, or a great companion to your awning. See Are Motorized Retractable Screens Worth It in Atlanta?
Tips for Getting the Best Value
-
Measure your space and how you use it. Where does the sun hit, and when? A shade expert can recommend the right width and projection.
-
Choose motorized if you’ll use it often. Convenience is what turns an awning into an everyday feature.
-
Don’t skimp on fabric. Solution-dyed acrylic lasts much longer in Georgia sun than cheaper fabrics.
-
Add a wind sensor. It’s inexpensive protection against sudden summer storms.
-
Ask about the warranty. Look for coverage on the frame, fabric, and motor.
-
Choose professional installation. Proper mounting is critical for safety and performance, and it protects your warranty.
-
Plan ahead. Ordering in fall or winter means your awning is ready before the summer heat arrives.
Get a Free Retractable Awning Quote in Atlanta
Every home and patio is different, so the best way to know what your awning will cost is a free, no-obligation consultation. Peachtree Blinds designs and installs custom retractable awnings throughout Metro Atlanta, including Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, Johns Creek, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Marietta, Woodstock, Canton, Cumming, and surrounding areas, as well as Chattanooga and Southeast Tennessee.
Call (770) 664-0027 or schedule your free in-home consultation. You can also visit our showroom at 4825 GA-9 #400 in Alpharetta.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a retractable awning cost?
Most professionally installed retractable awnings cost between $800 and $4,000, with a national average of about $2,700. Larger motorized awnings with premium fabrics, cassettes, and sensors can cost $1,200 to $10,000 or more.
How much more does a motorized awning cost than a manual one?
Motorized awnings cost more because of the motor, controls, and electrical connection. Depending on size, a motorized awning can cost several hundred to a few thousand dollars more than a manual model. Hardwiring by an electrician can add $300 to $800 or more.
Can a retractable awning stay out in the rain?
Most retractable awnings can handle light rain if they’re pitched properly so water runs off. In heavy rain or strong wind, retract the awning. A wind sensor can retract a motorized awning automatically when gusts pick up.
How long does a retractable awning last?
With quality materials and proper care, a retractable awning can last many years. Look for solution-dyed acrylic fabric, an aluminum frame, a protective cassette, and a strong warranty. For example, SunPro offers a 10-year warranty on hardware, fabric, and motors.
How wide can a retractable awning be?
SunPro and Sunesta awnings can both be built up to 40 feet wide. Sunesta offers projections up to 14 feet, 8 inches, and SunPro offers 8-, 10-, and 12-foot projections.
Do retractable awnings need support poles?
No. Lateral-arm retractable awnings mount to your wall, soffit, or roofline and extend without support poles, so your view and floor space stay open.
Is a retractable awning cheaper than a pergola or patio cover?
Typically, yes. A retractable awning usually costs less and installs faster than a permanent patio cover or pergola. It also lets you choose sun or shade at any time.
Do you offer free retractable awning quotes in Atlanta?
Yes. Peachtree Blinds offers free in-home consultations throughout Metro Atlanta. Call (770) 664-0027 to schedule yours.
