Motorized Shades vs Manual Shades: Which Is Worth the Extra Cost?
January 21, 2026
Get sun when you want it, shade when you need it. Zinga's Fort Myers designs and installs custom retractable awnings for patios, decks, and balconies.
When it comes to decking out our homes or businesses, we’re all about maximizing comfort, utility, and style. That’s why we believe our retractable awnings, with their incredible standard features, are the perfect addition to any building. Designed with your needs in mind, these awnings offer a blend of functionality and aesthetics you won’t find anywhere else.
At Zinga’s, we understand the importance of versatility and convenience. That’s why our retractable awnings come with numerous standard features you’ll love. Right off the bat, they’re motorized, making it super easy to retract or extend them based on your needs. Plus, they feature integrated LED lights, ensuring your outdoor spaces are well-lit even after sunset. But that’s not all.
We’re committed to offering you the best. Our awnings come in over 30 fabric options, allowing you to choose the one that best complements your decor. We know every space is unique, and we believe in providing solutions that cater to your individual needs. With our retractable awnings, you’re not just getting a product, you’re investing in a solution that enhances your lifestyle.
We’ve all been there on a sweltering summer day, the sun’s intense blaze making the outdoor patio unbearable. Well, that’s where retractable awnings come into play. They’re our private cloud on a sunny day, our shield from the scorching sun. As we extend them out, they instantly transform our outdoor space into a comfortable haven, allowing us to enjoy the warmth of the day without the risk of harmful UV rays.
Retractable awnings aren’t just practical, they’re also an aesthetic addition to our homes. As they unfurl, they add a pop of color to our outdoor spaces, in hues ranging from the soft blush of a summer sunset to the deep blues of a tranquil ocean. It’s not just shade they provide, but a splash of style as well. They’re adjustable too, so we can control how much sun we let in. Want to bask in a bit of gentle morning sunlight? We can partially retract the awning. Need full protection from the harsh midday sun? We extend it all the way.
But the beauty of retractable awnings is more than just their versatility. They’re durable, designed to withstand the elements. Whether it’s a searing summer day or a cool, breezy afternoon, our awnings stand strong. Rain or shine, they’re our reliable companions for outdoor relaxation. So, next time the sun’s rays seem uninviting, don’t let it keep us indoors. With our retractable awnings, we’ve got the perfect solution for sun protection outdoors.
At Zinga’s, we’ve been offering custom window treatments, including retractable awnings, for 25 years now. We’re based in Fort Myers, and we know a thing or two about weather and how to use it to your advantage. We believe that retractable awnings are more than just a style statement; they’re a practical addition to any home. They’re not just about giving your home a facelift; they have a significant role in energy efficiency and comfort.
Retractable awnings provide shade when you need it and sunlight when you want it. They’re a fantastic way to control the temperature in your home without using extra energy. Here are three reasons why we think they’re a must-have:
So, if you’re considering custom window treatments, don’t overlook the significant benefits of retractable awnings. They’re a practical, stylish, and energy-efficient addition that we’re confident you’ll love.
Explore our shading systems, designed to bring comfort, protection and style to your windows, patios & outdoor living areas.
Schedule ConsultationWe bring sample products & fabrics directly to your home so you can see and feel the products in your home.
We take precise measurements of all your windows and provide you a no pressure quote at the time of your consultation.
Installation completed by Zinga's employee who are experts in their craft. Free yourself of the stress of installing.
Outstanding experience with Zinga and sales representative **Garrett** Dotson. From start to finish, the entire process of selecting window treatments for our home in Beachwalk by Manasota Key was thorough, professional, and genuinely customer-focused. Garrett came to our house, carefully reviewed every window, and made thoughtful recommendations tailored to each room’s size, location, and purpose. He walked us through a wide variety of roller shade materials, clearly explaining how each option would look and perform in different lighting conditions. His advice on motorized shades for added convenience was especially helpful, and he presented it as a smart upgrade rather than a pushy upsell. Pricing was competitive and reasonable, and Garrett took the time to explain all aspects of the warranty so there were no surprises. He also suggested promotional financing options that made the overall project more manageable for our budget. Throughout the entire appointment, he was patient, friendly, and extremely helpful, answering all of our questions in detail. Garrett also clearly explained the advantages of Zinga’s products and service over the competition, which gave us a lot of confidence in our decision. Thanks to his expertise and professionalism, we felt fully informed and very comfortable moving forward. Highly recommend Zinga and especially Garrett Dotson for anyone looking for high-quality window treatments and a top-tier in-home consultation experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Highly recommend this awning and company!! We have been in the awning business for 40 plus years and know quality… Zinga’s product is over the top and better than we expected. Great experience from beginning to end: Kiersten, in the office, Adam, sales contact, and Drew and Tyler, installation..all professional and knowledgeable of the product they represent. Thank you for an amazing awning and experience! Todd & Rachel Lengle
I just wanted to say how many pleased I have been with the purchase and installation of our Storm Screens from Zinga’s. From the initial consultation, measurements and excellent installation by Justin, Drew, and Payton, they work flawlessly and look great too! Thanks Zinga’s for a great experience.
The salesperson we met with was wonderful! The company kept us informed every step of the way. Drew did a wonderful job installing our new shades. He was quick, neat and professional. I would highly recommend Zinga’s if you are looking for window coverings!
The two installers, Gary and Terry, would be welcomed in our home anytime. They knew their jobs as any great team would. The cold didn’t bother them. Our expectations were exceeded. They were excited to demonstrate the attributes of the awning from the height adjustments to the led lights. They took pride in their work and product. An assignment well done
First of all the sales rep, Adrian is outstanding. His attention to detail is wonderful. And they have secret formula to ensure lifetime efficiency of your motorized screens. The install folks who came out Friday, Drew, Justin, Peyton, and Tyler were spectacular. They made us FEEL like this was the most important install they have ever done. Good guys and polite. As the references told me when I called, the only “knock” on Zingas is their inside customer support. It’s not close to where it should be. Thank you to Morgan Booger for stepping and stepping UP! So appreciated. Looking forward to a lifetime of comfort with our new Zinga’s Motorized Screens.
Philip Wagner from Zinga’s exceeded our expectations. He was on time, friendly, and did an excellent job installing our plantation shutters. The whole process was easy and fast. We’re very happy and will definitely use Zinga’s again!
Zinga’s was great to work with to replace a few of our broken cellular shades. Garrett gave us an in home estimate and counseled us on best options. The company kept up communication throughout a delayed delivery process. Our installation was done by Jeremy who was fantastic. He was on time, knowledgeable, professional and efficient. He even gave us a tutorial for our new shades. And we really appreciated him taking the time for this education regarding our motorized app-controlled kitchen shade.
Zingas installers Phil W. And Todd F. Did an outstanding job installing our new window shades and blinds. They were on time and ready to work. I have more than 20 windows and they worked great on each window. They installed motorized shades and they knew exactly what to do. They taught us how to use the the remote. I would recommend them to anyone looking to install blinds and shades.
Completely satisfied with Zinga from start to finish. Adrian our sales rep was very thorough and helpful through the entire process. Our installation tech was great and Phil and Todd finished up with ensuring our smaller screen was properly weighted. We sourced 4 companies and are glad we settled on Zinga!
Excellent experience from start to finish! Adrian was excellent to work with for the initial sale, explaining the product and our options well. Phil & Todd did a phenomenal job with install and setting up the smart functions in the app for us. Thank you, Zinga’s, for a positive experience!
We got plantation shutters and automatic binds. We are so happy with both. The installer was fantastic! Phil did most of the work. He did it quickly and with a smile. He explained everything well and cleaned his space. Phil was fantastic! Also appreciated my salesman, Stefano. Professional and knowledgeable.
Seamless transaction from the point of the sales person coming to my house to the installation. Alyssa came to my home with all the samples and explained the total process. She was knowledgeable about the product but not pushy to try to oversell me. Once my order was placed, there was an adequate amount of contact about the approximate time my blinds would be completed and ready to be installed. When installation day came they were spot on with the time it would take to install. My installer Chris H. was amazing! He was so pleasant, kind and knowledgeable about the product and he educated me about the different types of blinds I had installed. Like how and what to use to clean them, how to work the top down/bottom up features. Chris H. took great care with the installation and was very respectful of my property. He made sure everything was perfect before he left and if it wasn’t perfect he gave me the company’s contact information if I needed to contact them in the future. I highly recommend Zingas and would definitely use them again in the future. Thank you to the whole Zingas team and Slainte! to Chris H for a job well done!
Alyssa did a wonderful job of helping us pick out custom blinds for our new house. She brought lots of samples for me to look at and had lots of helpful input. She also was very easy to communicate with and followed up on any questions I had. The company provided temporary blinds for us to use that were very easy to put up until our custom blinds were made. Will was the installer for our blinds and did a great job of installing the blinds. He was very efficient and clean. One blind had a string that needed fixed and he came back and fixed it quickly the next day. I couldn’t say enough about the customer service of this company!
Justin & Peyton were very reliable in fact they arrived earlier than expected. There was a slight issue with one of the blinds and he is coming back to fix it. They were very fast with the installation. Window treatments were very nice quality. I would reccomend Zingas if you are looking for window treatments for your home. For installation ask for Justin & Peyton.
We had a great experience with Zinga’s. We ordered roller blackout shades for our children’s bedrooms and our guest bedroom. We were updated on when our order was made and when it would be delivered. Our installer, named Will Carter, was very kind and did a great job on installation. There was an issue (made prior to Will) with the roller shade cords not being long enough, but Will problem solved and fixed the issue without needing Zinga’s to come out a second time and making us wait longer to have our roller shades. Will was efficient with the installation and did not make a mess. We are happy with how things turned out! A few days after install, we received a call from Tracy to make sure everything went smoothly and that we were happy with the shades. Overall, Zinga’s has done a great job and we are happy customers!
The shutters we got from Zingas were high quality and looked fabulous. Our installer Chris Harrod did a great job communicating the whole install process and he competed the installation in record time. The purchasing and installation process was efficient and we are so happy we selected Zingas for high quality product and workmanship. Great overall experience. Thank you Chris and Zingas.