DIY

Patio Awnings: A Beginners Guide to Manual and Electric Awnings – Part 1

When choosing a garden awning, it is important to assess exactly what you need it for.  Deciding upon the type of awning you require before you begin shopping will save you time, money and effort.

The most basic form of awning is a fixed arm, or drop arm, awning.  This type of house awning will provide shade for a window or doorway and is popular amongst shop and cafe owners.  The arms drop down from a vertical position from the pivot at the base of the arm.  They can drop down until perpendicular to the wall they are attached to.  They can also be manually wound back to a vertical position with a winding arm.  This type of awning does not provide much room to sit under and is more suitable for those seeking shade over a window.

If you are seeking shade from the sun whilst sitting in the garden then you are best off looking at retractable arm patio awnings.  These come in three styles depending on how much protection you require for the material when the awning is retracted.

Standard patio awnings do not provide any protection for the material and as a result are the cheapest option bar the drop arm awning.  The retractable arms allow for easy projection and retraction whilst the adjustable slope provides flexibility with regards to projection angle.

Half cassette awnings provide a cover for the awning material when fully retracted which protects the material from the elements.  This is particularly useful when considering the unreliable British weather.  The cassette does not however cover the valance which is the frill which runs along the front edge of the awning.

Full cassette awnings provide a complete cover for all the awning material including the valance when fully retracted.  As such they are the most likely to maintain the awning fabric for a prolonged period of time.

The price of these awnings increases based upon how much protection you wish to provide for the material.  The market is a key example of getting what you pay for.  In purchasing an awning, consider the lifespan you expect from your awning.  If an awning is a long term investment then it is worth the extra cost for a full cassette.

About the Author

Primrose London is a leading supplier of awnings in the UK. Our awnings are competitively priced and easy to install

Aluminum Specialties Mfg Co

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