Awnings and screen enclosures both promise to make your outdoor space more usable, but they solve genuinely different problems. Here’s how to think about which one actually fits what you need.
What an Awning Does
An awning provides shade and some rain protection over a defined area, typically retractable or fixed, attached to the house. It reduces direct sun exposure and offers some cover from light rain, while leaving the space otherwise completely open.
What an Awning Doesn’t Do
An awning does nothing about insects — mosquitoes and no-see-ums pass right through an open-sided shaded area exactly like they would an unshaded one. It also offers limited protection in wind-driven rain, since there are no sides to block it.
What a Screen Enclosure Does
A screen enclosure solves the insect problem completely, since it’s a fully enclosed structure on all sides. It also blocks falling debris, reduces direct sun exposure through the mesh, and creates a more defined, weather-resistant outdoor room compared to an open awning.
Cost Comparison
Awnings, particularly smaller fixed or retractable models, are generally less expensive than a full screen enclosure, since there’s far less material and structural engineering involved. A screen enclosure is a bigger investment but solves a broader set of problems.
Can You Use Both?
Yes — some homeowners use awnings for one area (like shading a west-facing window or covering a smaller side patio) while a nearby pool or main patio gets a full screen enclosure. They’re not mutually exclusive; they just address different needs.
Which One Is Right for You?
If insects are your main frustration, only a screen enclosure genuinely solves that — an awning can’t. If you specifically want shade over a small area without the investment of a full enclosure, an awning may be the simpler answer.
Talk Through Your Options
We build screen enclosures, not awnings, but we’re happy to talk through whether an enclosure actually fits what you’re trying to solve for your specific space.
Call Wayne or JT Kish at (904) 805-4343, or use our free estimate form online.
FL Certified Specialty Contractor — Lic. #SCC131149801 | Licensed & Insured