TRANSFORMING The Inside And Outside

Image Above: Courtesy of Caribbean Blinds

Awnings: A shading product to transform the inside and outside of your property

Do you have an outside area which gets just too much sun to be comfortable? Perhaps you have patio doors, French windows or large glazing which let too much light into your home?

Installing an awning could cure your problems and set you on the path to getting the most from the inside and outside of your property.

The British Blind  Shutter Association (BBSA) assesses the different types of these versatile systems.

Folding-arm awnings

Fixed to the side of the home, the fabric is extended via a motor or manually and kept tensioned by spring or gas piston arms.

If you opt for the motorised version, make sure you ask your local BBSA member about sun sensors which will automatically extend the patio awning to protect your home from overheating and wind or vibration sensors which retract it when the wind becomes too strong, protecting it from damage.

When fully closed they take up a small amount of space and a cassette can fully conceal the arms and fabric.

Terrace awnings

A more permanent structure than their folding-arm counterparts, the frames of these awnings can withstand wet and windy weather conditions.

The fabric can be retracted or extended, while side screens can also be incorporated to provide further protection from the elements.

Image Above: Courtesy of Markilux

Free-standing awnings

Standing independently from other buildings, this style of awning provides shelter while lighting and heating options can be added to enhance the enjoyment of your outside space.

For some free-standing awnings no operation is required, but other models allow the user to retract the canopy – or canopies – to allow natural light to flood the space via motorisation.

Drop-arm awnings

Perfect for when there is not enough room above your glazing for a folding-arm awning, the front profile is fixed to side arms which are lowered from a pivot point.

They are typically operated with a winding handle linked to a gearbox, or via an electric motor. A spring mechanism or gas piston device draws the arm up, tensions the fabric and provides resistance to wind buffeting.

An extensive range of designs are available for awning fabrics, and most are resistant to UV, water, mould and dirt. Ask your local BBSA member for more information.