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Discover our top tips on choosing a retractable awning for your outside space and read our expert advice on the things you need to consider.

1. Measure up your space

It sounds fairly obvious but selecting the right awning size for you home can be more difficult than you think. You will need to establish the outdoor patio or terrace space you wish to cover, taking into consideration the position of the sun as it moves throughout the day, to ensure your awning is large enough to provide shade and cover any furniture you may have. Don’t worry if you are unsure of exact measurements as our highly experienced and helpful surveyors will carry out a technical survey of your property prior to order to ensure that once fitted, your awning is perfectly positioned.

2. How do you plan on using the space?

The most popular response to this is customers who want to extend their entertaining space into their garden so they can dine alfresco and barbecue with friends and family both day and night. To achieve this, we would recommend the addition of wall mounted energy efficient infra-red heaters and high-quality LED lighting so you can enjoy your time outdoors comfortably both in the evenings when the temperature drops and on cooler days. For complete user convenience we also suggest opting for motorised control, so you can operate your awning, heating and lighting all at the touch of a button.

3. Opt for weather technology

Weather sensors are available on all our retractable awnings as an optional extra. Offering protection against the sun, wind and rain, these intelligent gadgets automatically activate your radio-controlled awning in response to different weather conditions. If the temperature gets too hot in the day, the Sun Sensor extends the awning in good time to provide pleasant shade and prevents the patio or adjacent room from becoming too hot. Awnings with wind and rain sensors automatically close if it becomes windy or starts raining to protect the fabric and prevent damage to the unit.

4. Semi Cassette or Fully Cassette?

Unsure of the terminology used to differentiate awning types? It’s pretty simple, a fully cassette or fully enclosed awning refers to the casing which protects the awning mechanism and fabric from dust, dirt and rain when not in use. The result is a stylish and modern concealed design which sits neatly on the wall with the options to integrate LED lighting and Valance plus vertical blinds, whereas semi cassette or semi enclosed awning means the mechanism and fabric are open with no cover. These models are low on budget and suitable for almost all installations, whether in a niche, below a balcony or underneath a roof overhand. Versions of semi cassette awnings are also available with a protection roof for additional safety.

4. Choosing a fabric

The colour of your awning will help set the mood and ambience on your patio as well as protect you and your furniture from harmful UV rays, so it’s important you choose a style that’s right for your setting. With a huge range of plain colours or striped patterns to choose from you’re sure to find your perfect match. For example, yellow and orange fabrics create a warm and cosy feel underneath whereas greens and blues offer a cool and refreshing mood. We only offer the finest quality fabrics, solution dyed and specially treated to repel water and dirt. If you’re unsure of what fabric and frame colours best suit your home and garden, our talented team can create digital mock-ups of your new awning to demonstrate the fabric options and help you envision you’re new outdoor.

For more information on how our range of retractable awnings can enhance your home and outdoor living experience, please don’t hesitate to get in touch via the request a quote form or by calling our helpful team on 01352740164