Why Patio Awnings Are Worth Getting Right  

A patio awning benefits your garden in many subtle ways. It encourages you to spend more time outside regardless of the weather.  

A patio awning is more than just an extended cover to allow you to forget about the sun.  It provides shade and protection from the elements.  

Most people don’t realise the added benefits an awning has. Garden furniture is no longer wet and you can sit outside even in that annoying drizzle we get in the great British weather.

Awnings are about creating an outside space that extends your living area.

A patio awning extends out from your house to create shade over your patio, decking, or any outdoor area you’d rather not abandon every time the sun decides to show up. But there’s more to it than just blocking UV rays. An awning can reduce solar gain over your house, making it cooler and improving your comfort. You can reduce the use of fans and air conditioning. There’s a measurable reduction in the cost of cooling your house in the summer and retracting it in the winter allows you to take advantage of the solar gain.

Getting quality right

Cheap awnings appeal because they are cheap. But they are cheap because they have reliability issues. They can be prone to tearing in wind, can fade, and they can have mechanical issues. So you may have to wait a while to get proper use out of them. The frame material makes a big difference in the quality. A lot of good quality awnings will have aluminium frames. They are rust proof, lightweight, and are good enough to be weather proof. Steel frames may be good enough too, but they require a good coating.

The difference between decent and disappointing fabrics comes down to quality. Fabric made from acrylic is usually more UV resistant (look for 80% plus rating) and should last years without fading significantly. In contrast, polyester is less expensive, but usually shows its age much faster. Water resistance is important too, and a fabric that channels rain instead of pooling it will give you much less to worry about during sudden showers.

Manual or Electric Operation

This often comes down to how you will actually use it. Manual ones use a crank handle to extend and retract. This means that they are mechanically simple, therefore less can go wrong, and they also do not require an electrical installation. The downside is that you need to physically operate them, and it can take anywhere from a minute or two of effort each time. These are better for location-based implementations like over a parking space, where an installation for electrical operation may take more time than it is worth.

Electric ones use a motor that is controlled via a wall-mounted switch or remote, and are usually a more expensive installation due to the electrical work involved. But they are more convenient, extending or retracting the awning is simply the press of a button. Motors can fail, though most are now made to last. This is especially useful if you often forget to retract it, as some are equipped with wind sensors that automatically retract the awning when it gets gusty.

Cassette Systems  

Cassette systems are cassette awnings that have housing that completely encloses the fabric along with the arms. This protects the fabric from the elements. Because of this, the life of the awning is extended, and to make things even better, it gives a sleeker look to your wall.  

Semi cassette systems protect the fabric but the arms are left exposed, making it a mid tier option. Open, fully exposed awnings are the bottom tier option. They are a decent choice if you want a cheaper option and if they are covered under an overhang, they work perfectly.  

Finding the right awning  

You need to find the right size covering to fit your need. Try to account for the sun and how it angles because an awning may work at noon but if it doesn’t cover at 4 pm you will be left squinting.  

Most people are not confident enough to make installation a DIY project, and they shouldn’t be because once they are set in they are very difficult to move. Adjusting the pitch at a different angle will cause the water to pool instead of running off. Put your faith in the professional installation because it is worth spending extra for it to be done the right way.

Make sure you budget correctly as you look for patio awnings. A good quality patio awning will last you 10-15 years plus some basic maintenance. A £2000 price tag might feel like a big ask when you see the £500 options, but considering you’ll be replacing it in 3 years, you haven’t saved anything at all. Get an awning that will do the job right and you’ll be surprised by how much more you will use your garden space.