If you have high winds in your area I would go with the retractable. Get the kind that is motorized with wind sensors. Don't trush the sensors 100% tho, I've seen one fail to come on & the awning blew off the house.

Al

Just for closure, we finally decided to go with a fixed awning. It will have glass panels to let light in while blocking precipitation, and be held up by knee braces plus use rain chains to guide runoff so as to reduce visual impact. Our landscape designer came up with this as she's done it on another site.

Overall, a compromise, but I think it will work out very well and both wife and I are excited about the solution. Did I mention I think our designer walks on water?

Thanks for all your guidance.

- R.