January 31, 2024
Choose the Perfect Awning
Installing an awning for your property offers both functional advantages, like shielding from the elements and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your house. However, before making this investment, it is important to consider some key factors to ensure the choice of awnings match with your requirements. In this article, our expert team from Awnings Online will explain three essential considerations that are the most important: Side and shade, Mechanism and Colour & fabric.
Installing an awning for your property offers both functional advantages, like shielding from the elements and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your house. However, before making this investment, it is important to consider some key factors to ensure the choice of awnings match with your requirements. In this article, our expert team from Awnings Online will explain three essential considerations that are the most important: Side and shade, Mechanism and Colour & fabric.
1. Size and shade
When buying an awning, the first thing to consider is the suitable size and shade coverage for your patio. The easiest way to do it is to pay attention to all the factors such as doors, windows, or architectural features when you measure the patio. The awning should cover all the spaces and here are our guides:
The width of any fabric awning can involve up to 3 metres of measurements.
There is the overall physical width of the actual unit including end caps and any other external finishing features. This is a crucial measurement if you are installing in between return walls or in between downpipes, etc.
Then there is the fabric width itself which is always smaller than the cassette width for obvious physical reasons. Some awnings have a smaller fabric width than others compared to the overall width so please check if it is critical to you. On average, the fabric is about 100-150mm narrower than the cassette width. Then there is the ordering width which can be slightly different on some awnings but is actually the overall width in most cases. So a 5-metre awning is 5m wide but probably has a fabric width of around 4850mm depending on the model and whether it is a full, semi, or open cassette.
The projection, or extension for a retractable fabric awning is always the measurement from the back of the cassette to the very front of the profile and of course, this is a straight measurement, without taking into account the lost projection once you start to include a pitch to the fabric cover. So, if you need exactly 3m of shade cover as a flat measurement on the floor, depending on the angle, (which is always recommended as 20 degrees ideally) you will need to order an awning with more than 3m projection. It is trigonometry to calculate the actual dimensions required, if you want to be super accurate, assuming you know the angle of the awning as well. A lot of awnings can be set at almost zero degrees of pitch, down to around 40 degrees of pitch. The projection for awnings generally is offered in 500mm segments up to a maximum of 4 metres on some models with larger support arms.
You can of course stop an awning at any projection you wish either manually or when electrically operated. The maximum projection is simply the distance the folding arms can extend to when fully extended. Larger projections are possible with retractable pergola systems and using support posts as the front. Some awning models can offer a greater projection than the width which is physically impossible on other awnings which fold away completely. These awnings have crossing-over arms and require more depth on the wall to be installed. Adjusting the projection during the day helps control the sunlight and heat so we always recommend electric operated to make this an easy process.
2. Manual or Electric Awning
The next question you might consider is opting for manual or electric awning. Electric awnings are convenient with the simple press of a button or remote control, therefore they are so easy to use and suitable for individuals with restricted mobility even. On the other hand, if you enjoy the manually extending/ retracting awning and a friendly budget, a manual option might be more preferable.
While manual awnings are the most effective option but consider the size of the awning you need before making this choice as you may find that the larger the awning, the more difficult it is to handle. Meanwhile, electric awnings often come with more features, such as wind sensors. If you want a high level of control, an electric awning may be the better fit.
Hence, the choice between manual or electric ultimately depends on your personal preference.
3.Fabric and Colour
Most people enjoy their awning all year round, which means it will be exposed to all weather conditions. Our awnings are an investment and are built to last a long time, including the fabric so you can enjoy them for as long as possible.
At Awnings Online, our leading manufacturers provide top fabric that ticks all the boxes. For example, Weinors Fabric awning ‘’my collection 2’’ has arrived with 171 fabrics with the latest structures, colours, and at least 93% UV protection. Whether you are a fabric stripe fan or have a colourful lively vibe, you will find the perfect match with our selection of colours. Weinor high quality acrylic fabric comes with one outstanding feature in particular: dirt has absolutely no chance. The fabric has passed all tests and works as an invisible protective shield that guards against dirt.
With some suggested key factors as above, you will be able to select an awning that will give you the shade and protection you require, as well as improve the aesthetics and use of your outdoor space.
With some suggested key factors as above, you will be able to select an awning that will give you the shade and protection you require, as well as improve the aesthetics and use of your outdoor space.
