The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Awnings for Homes

Awnings are a fantastic addition to any home or commercial property, providing shade, protection, and style to outdoor spaces. Having an outdoor area you can rely on, rain or shine, is invaluable. Even as we experience hotter summers, the UK’s unpredictable weather means that those sunny days can turn into rainy afternoons without much warning.

Designed specifically for the UK climate, our awnings give you control over your outdoor environment, allowing you to embrace the sun or find shelter from unexpected rain. With a range of options to choose from, this is our ultimate guide to make your decision a little easier.

What Are Awnings, and Why Choose Them?

Awnings are retractable coverings that extend over patios, balconies, windows, or doorways, providing shelter from the sun and rain. They’re a popular choice for creating shaded outdoor areas, allowing you to enjoy your garden or patio in comfort, even on the hottest days.

Our custom-made retractable awnings, built in the UK, are designed for both domestic and commercial properties. With a wide range of weather-proof fabrics, colours, widths, and projections, they offer a stylish solution that’s both functional and durable.

Key Characteristics of High-Quality Awnings

Quality is essential when choosing an awning, as it should withstand varying weather conditions. Here’s what sets a high-quality awning apart:

  • Weather-Proof Fabrics: Our awnings come in durable, weather-resistant fabrics, ensuring they’ll look great and function well, rain or shine.
  • Customisable Colours and Sizes: Available in a variety of colours, widths, and projections, you can select the perfect size and look for your space.
  • BAT Patented Technology: Our awnings are made with BAT patented technology, renowned for its reliability and innovation in the industry.
  • Quick Installation: Supplied fully set up for fast and easy installation, our awnings are ready to use right away, so you can enjoy your shaded space in no time.

Benefits of Awnings for Your Home

Sun Protection

One of the main reasons homeowners choose awnings is for sun protection. Awnings provide a comfortable shaded area in your garden or patio, shielding you from UV rays. This is particularly great if you enjoy spending time outside but want to protect yourself and your family from direct sun exposure.

Rain Protection

In addition to sun protection, our retractable awnings are built to withstand rain, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor spaces even in less-than-perfect weather. With a sturdy design and waterproof materials, these awnings offer reliable shelter, making them a practical solution for outdoor gatherings or simply enjoying a relaxing moment outside, rain or shine.

Comfort with Lighting and Heating

For a truly comfortable outdoor experience, you can opt for additional features such as LED lighting and infrared heating. Dimmable LED lighting built into the arms of your awning creates the perfect ambience, while a weatherproof infrared heater keeps you warm on cooler evenings. The Rio Grande S heater, mounted on a central swivel bracket, can be angled to suit your needs and comes with a safety guard and a two-year warranty.

Popular Types of Awnings

Different spaces have different needs, and our range of awnings includes options to suit any requirement.

  • Base Plus Awning: This fully cassette awning features a folding arm on two brackets, making it perfect for both domestic and commercial properties. Available in four sizes, it comes with a stainless steel chain link arm and can be operated manually or motorised. It’s also available with adjustable LED lighting for added ambience.
  • Armony Plus Awning: A great option for larger spaces, this awning combines strength and style with a multi-bracket system for enhanced stability. Popular with commercial premises, it’s designed to cover wide areas and is available with or without ambient LED lighting. The inclination system allows you to adjust the pitch of the awning for maximum comfort and protection.

Brackets and Installation

For a secure and stable installation, brackets are crucial. Our awnings are supplied with zinc and powder-coated brackets as standard, ensuring long-lasting durability and resistance to the elements. We offer a variety of bracket options to accommodate different installations, such as around gutters, water pipes, and single-storey extensions, allowing you to fit your awning precisely where it’s needed.

Manual vs. Motorised Awnings

When it comes to operating your awning, you can choose between manual and motorised options. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:

  • Manual Operation: Manually operated awnings are simple, reliable, and cost-effective. They’re ideal for smaller spaces or for homeowners who don’t mind extending and retracting the awning themselves.
  • Motorised Operation: For ultimate convenience, motorised awnings use Somfy motors, allowing you to extend or retract your awning at the touch of a button. This option is perfect for larger awnings or for those who want an effortless experience. Motorisation can be added to most manual awnings, making it easy to upgrade your setup if you decide to go motorised in the future.

Comparing Awnings to Other Outdoor Shade Options

Awnings offer unique advantages over other outdoor furniture and shade solutions, such as umbrellas, pergolas, and gazebos. Unlike umbrellas, which only provide limited shade and often need to be repositioned, awnings cover larger areas and can be retracted when not in use, offering more flexibility and control over sun and rain exposure. Unlike fixed structures like pergolas or gazebos, which require more space and maintenance, retractable awnings provide a sleek, space-saving solution that integrates seamlessly with your home’s architecture.

Invest in Comfort and Style for Your Outdoor Living

Awnings are a stylish and practical addition to any home, providing protection from the sun and rain while creating a comfortable outdoor space to enjoy year-round. Whether you choose the Base Plus for its versatile design or the Armony Plus for larger spaces, our retractable awnings offer a range of customisation options to suit your unique needs.

Contact us today to find out more about our range of awnings and security shutters, and discover how they can enhance your home’s aesthetic and functionality.