With summer just around the corner, many Northern California homeowners are looking to make the most of their outdoor spaces. At Goodwin-Cole, we offer a range of shade solutions — from shade sails to pergolas to retractable awnings — but two products consistently top our residential customers' wish lists: pergolas and retractable awnings.
We sat down with our Head of Operations, Jeff Cole, to break down the key differences and help you decide which is right for your backyard.
The Short Answer: It Comes Down to Two Things
According to Jeff, the decision almost always comes down to function and budget.
"You really have to consider what your main use for that space is, what time of year, and price. Those are usually the first two things you want to think about."
Retractable Awnings: Flexibility at a Great Price Point
A retractable awning is exactly what the name suggests — it extends when you want shade and tucks neatly away when you don't. That on-demand flexibility is the defining appeal.
Retractable awnings can project anywhere from 13 to 16 feet out from the wall, come in a wide range of fabrics and colors, and are available in both motorized and manual versions. Fabric warranties commonly run 10 years, and some models even include integrated lighting in the arms.
The key consideration: retractable awnings are primarily a 3-season product. They provide excellent sun and shade coverage in the warmer months, but they aren't designed to stand up to heavy winter weather or serve as a fully enclosed outdoor living space.
Best for: Homeowners who want maximum flexibility, a lower price point, and a solution that's there when they need it, particularly the warmer months, and out of the way when they don't.
Pergolas: A Four-Season Outdoor Room
A pergola — or patio cover, if it's attached to your home's wall or roofline — is a more permanent structure designed for year-round use. Most modern pergolas are built to handle both sun and rain, featuring integrated gutter systems to channel water away cleanly.
Pergolas come in many forms: open-lattice designs, fixed insulated or uninsulated roofs, motorized louvered roofs, and even retractable vinyl canopy systems. That range of options is exactly where the price variation comes in. A fixed-roof pergola is the most budget-friendly option in the category. A motorized louvered or retractable-roof pergola — which gives you the best of both worlds — comes at a premium.
"The main drawback with that option is the price point," Jeff notes. "But if you're looking for something you can use 12 months of the year consistently, your pergola is going to be the best option."
Pergolas are also the natural foundation if you're thinking about eventually enclosing your outdoor space, adding heaters, fans, or lighting, or integrating the structure into a larger landscaping or remodel project.
Best for: Homeowners who want a true four-season outdoor living space, plan to invest in the long term, or are doing a broader outdoor renovation where the shade structure is part of the overall design.
A Quick Side-by-Side
| Retractable Awning | Pergola | |
|---|---|---|
| Seasons | 3-season | 4-season |
| Flexibility | Retracts fully | Fixed or opening /closing roof |
| Price | More affordable | Higher (especially motorized) |
| Best use | Shade on demand | Year-round outdoor living |
| Install | Attached to the wall | Freestanding or attached |
One More Thing to Keep in Mind
Jeff makes an important point that many homeowners overlook: shade is often an afterthought — something people add after everything else is done. But when you can plan your shade solution at the start of a project, the results are always better.
"When we have the chance to get involved at the planning stage, it's really beneficial — we can integrate different shade solutions with the overall design of the improvement you're doing."
Whether you're refreshing a patio, building a new outdoor kitchen, or doing a full backyard renovation, getting your shade solution in the plan early means a more cohesive, functional result.
Ready to explore your options?
Contact the team at Goodwin-Cole to find the shade solution that fits your space, your lifestyle, and your budget.
