If you've ever watched an awning tear itself apart in a windstorm, you understand why wind ratings matter. I've seen the aftermath more times than I care to count, bent arms, shredded fabric, and mounting brackets ripped clean out of the wall.

I'll never forget the call I got one February from a customer in upstate New York. A wet snowstorm had dumped 14 inches overnight, and his awning — left extended — had collapsed under the weight.

Full cassette awnings can reduce your home's cooling energy consumption by 15 to 25 percent in hot climates, according to studies from the U.S. Department of Energy.

A quality full cassette awning costs between $1,500 and $5,000, should be sized to your patio dimensions