Retractable Roof Alternative | Eclipse Opening Roof System

Cost

Initially it may cost slightly less to install a retractable pergola roof or awning however the long-term maintenance and costs make a retractable roof difficult and costly for the owner. Consider that many retractable roofs use fabric that won’t last longer than 3 years. If you want a longer lasting solution, the Eclipse opening roof louvres are made from aluminium and last more than 25 years without any issues at all.

A professionally designed and installed opening roof system represents quality and value, which adds to the overall value of your home. 

Durability

There are a number of retractable pergola roof systems on the market. The most popular material for these retractable roof systems is Colorbond®, which is quite good quality and a suitable option for fencing. However Colorbond® is a coated steel product, which is prone to rust. This is why Opening Roof Specialists use high-quality powder coated aluminium for all beams, louvres and gutters. 316 grade stainless steel is used for fixings and motor.

Poor quality retractable pergola roofs won’t stand up to strong winds and many suppliers recommend to no operate the retractable roof during adverse weather events. This makes a very strong argument to choose the stronger, more reliable aluminium opening roof, especially if your house is located in a coastal area.

The aluminum Eclipse Opening Roof can withstand strong winds and harsh weather. You can operate the opening roof any time you like, making is perfect all year round.

Maintenance

When comparing retractable roofs and opening roofs, there are a few maintenance issues to consider.

There are two main types of retractable roofs. The first type is a fabric retractable awning, which is prone to mould and mildew if you don’t completely dry the system before retracting into its enclosure or folding it away. The second type is a retractable louvre pergola, operating on a track system. From our experience most retractable roof systems only offer the statutory warranty in line with Australian Standards.

If you do your own research, check the warranty of any retractable roof system and you will find that Opening Roof Specialists offer a longer warranty because we are confident in the quality and longevity of the entire system.

Maintaining an Eclipse Opening Roof is very easy. A simple wash with soapy water and a soft brush will care for the surfaces. Regular operation and periodic lubrication of the louvre pins (with a handy spray product) is all you need to make your opening roof last for decades.

Colours

The Eclipse Opening Roof is powder coated in Dulux Duralloy range which provides you with 60+ different colours to choose from and a 10-year warranty. We can also offer a premium powder coat in Dulux Duratec with a 20-year warranty for projects near the coast.

For a woodgrain finish, we offer Decowood, with 30+ woodgrain finishes to choose from to give you that warm feel of timber. Like us, Decowood is a family owned Australian business. Our extensive colour range means that your opening roof system will integrate perfectly with your home, like it was always meant to be there.

With a retractable roof, you are often limited to the 8-12 standard colour range, with some only being available in white. This limited colour range impacts on the overall style of your outdoor space and overall home.

Design Options

Opening Roof Specialists will custom design your Eclipse Opening Roof to seamlessly integrate with your home and suit the style of your outdoor space.

Our Design Consultants are experts are working with all sizes, spaces and roof angles to create a solution that works all year round.

We carefully consider louvre direction in relation to the sun to optimize winter sun and summer shade. A retractable roof is often a fixed size or design which means it may not suit your space or style of your home.

With a retractable roof, you are limited to two options – open or closed. An opening roof allow you to adjust the opening of your roof to how you like it. You can close it when during rain or rotate the louvres at an angle to optimize either sun or shade.

View some examples of installed opening roofs in Greater Sydney, Southern Highlands and Illawarra.