MagnaTrack Exterior Shades vs. Retractable Awnings: Which Is Right for Your Boise Idaho Patio?

If you're looking to make your Boise patio more comfortable and usable year-round, you've likely come across two main options: MagnaTrack exterior shades and retractable awnings. Both can dramatically improve your outdoor living experience — but they work very differently, perform differently in Idaho's climate, and suit different types of patios and lifestyles.

What Is MagnaTrack?

MagnaTrack is a motorized exterior shade system that uses rare earth neodymium magnets embedded in a patented magnetic track to hold the fabric panel securely in place. Unlike systems that rely on a zipper or Keder track to guide the fabric, MagnaTrack's track is completely open — the magnets do all the work.

This design makes MagnaTrack the only self-correcting exterior shade in the world. When a strong gust of wind forces the fabric away from the track, the magnets allow controlled separation rather than tearing or jamming. When the gust passes, the magnets pull the fabric back into perfect alignment automatically — with no manual intervention required. MagnaTrack holds multiple patents and is the only rare earth magnet shade system on the market.

What Is a Retractable Awning?

A retractable awning is a fabric canopy attached to a motorized or manual arm mechanism that extends outward from the wall to provide overhead shade. When not in use, the fabric rolls back into a housing unit mounted above the door or window. Boise Blinds installs SunPro retractable awnings, which are commercial-grade motorized awnings with smart home integration. SunPro awnings are excellent products — but they serve a fundamentally different purpose than MagnaTrack exterior shades.

Key Differences: MagnaTrack vs. Retractable Awnings

Coverage Type

MagnaTrack provides vertical coverage — the fabric panels hang on the sides of your patio opening, blocking sun from any angle including low western sun. Retractable awnings provide overhead coverage, extending outward from the wall like a canopy. An awning cannot block low-angle afternoon sun that comes in from the side.

Wind Performance

MagnaTrack is rated for 75 MPH winds and does not need to be retracted during wind events. The self-correcting magnetic track allows controlled fabric separation under extreme gusts, then automatically realigns when the wind passes. Most retractable awnings should be retracted at winds above 25–30 MPH to prevent damage. For open-terrain areas like Star, Middleton, and Nampa where afternoon gusts are common, MagnaTrack's wind performance is a significant advantage.

Privacy and Bug Protection

MagnaTrack's vertical panels create a full visual barrier when deployed, blocking sightlines from neighbors and the street. Screen fabric options also provide bug protection. Retractable awnings provide overhead shade only — no privacy, no bug protection.

When to Choose MagnaTrack

• •Your patio receives low-angle western or southern sun that an overhead awning cannot block
• •You live in an open-terrain area (Star, Middleton, Nampa, Caldwell) with regular wind exposure
• •You want privacy from neighbors or the street
• •You want bug protection with screen fabric options
• •You have a covered patio and need to block sun coming in from the sides
• •You want a system that stays deployed through Idaho wind events without damage

When to Choose a Retractable Awning

• •Your patio is uncovered and you need overhead shade first
• •You want an open-air feel — the ability to retract fully and enjoy the sky
• •You're shading a deck or dining area where overhead coverage is the primary need
• •You want to add shade to a second-story deck where vertical panels aren't practical
• •You want a visual statement piece — awnings add strong curb appeal

Can You Use Both?

Absolutely — and many Boise Blinds clients do. A SunPro retractable awning provides overhead coverage for an uncovered patio, while MagnaTrack panels on the sides block low-angle sun and provide privacy. This combination creates a fully enclosed, comfortable outdoor room that can be used from early spring through late fall.

Frequently Asked Questions