Guide to buying an awning

If you are looking for ways to increase your outdoor space, reduce heat build up in your home or to protect furnishings from the suns harmaful rays then an external awning may offer the perfect solution.

Our guide to buying an awning covers some handy tips and outlines everything you should take into consideration prior to your purchase.

Choosing the correct awning for your home leaves you with many things to consider such as the design, size, materials and colour.

We would advise you to start by considering the benefits that a awning will bring to your lifestyle and the main reason for installing it to ensure your requirements are met.

An awning can be a great investment for several reasons:

• Protection from the sun: An awning can provide shade and protection from harmful UV rays, making it more comfortable to spend time outdoors.
• Energy savings: By providing shade, an awning can help reduce the amount of heat that enters your home, which can lower your energy bills by reducing the need for air conditioning.
• Increased living space: An awning can create an outdoor living space that can be used for relaxation, entertaining, or dining.
• Protection from the rain: An awning can provide shelter from the rain, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors even when the weather is less than ideal.
• Improved curb appeal: An awning can add visual interest to your home’s exterior, enhancing its overall appearance and potentially increasing its value.

When buying an awning, there are several factors you should consider to ensure you get the right one for your needs:

• Purpose: Consider why you want an awning and what you plan to use it for. Is it for shade, protection from the rain, or to create an outdoor living space? This will help you choose the right type of awning and features.
• Size: Measure the area where you plan to install the awning to ensure that you get the right size. Make sure the awning is large enough to provide adequate shade or protection.
• Style: Choose an awning style that complements the architecture of your home and fits your aesthetic preferences. There are various styles to choose from, including retractable, fixed, motorized, and manual.
• Material: The material of the awning is an important factor to consider, as it affects its durability, maintenance requirements, and appearance. Popular materials include canvas, acrylic, and polyester.
• Installation: Where would you like the awning installed? Are there any obstructions such as downpipes or lights that might interfere with the installation of the awning?
• Cost: Awnings can vary in price depending on the style, size, and material. Set a budget and choose an awning that fits within it while still meeting your needs.
• Warranty: Check the warranty offered by the manufacturer to ensure that you are protected in case of any defects or issues with the awning.

By considering these factors and discussing them with the supplier, you can make an informed decision when buying an awning that fits your needs and budget. Other factors you may wish to consider are whether you need additional extras such as motorisation, lighting, heating and wind/rain sensors.

• Retractable folding arm non cassette awning – this type of awning has the awning fabric exposed to the weather which will reduce the lifespan of the awning fabric and possibly affect the operation of the awning.
• Retractable folding arm semi cassette awning – this type of awning has the awning fabric partially encased within a cassette thus providing the awning fabric with some protection form the elements but is not watertight.
• Retractable folding arm full cassette awning – this type of awning has the awning fabric and some times the awning arms, fully encased within a cassette. This type of awning provides the best protection to the awning fabric and most of the awning working parts.
• Little Big awnings – Generally the projection of an awning is determined by the width of the awning. The Little Big awning is able to offer a projection greater than the width of the awning
• Drop arm awning – A drop arm awning is a type of retractable awning that has hinged arms that allow it to extend and retract. The arms of the awning drop down to provide support, and the fabric is stretched taut over the frame. The arms can be retracted to allow the fabric to roll back up, protecting it from damage when not in use.
• Fixed awnings – These awnings are permanently fixed to the exterior of a building and cannot be retracted. They provide continuous shade and protection from the elements.

An awning can be a great way to protect you and your friends from the unpredictable British weather and enable you to make more use of your avaiable outdoor space more of the time but selecting an awning that is suitable for your individual circumstances may need careful consideration and expert advice.

Marla Custom Blinds have considerable experience supplying and installing awnings to suit a variety of uses, all our awnings are constructed to commercial standards and come with a 10-year guarantee. 

For more information or to book a survey, call us on 01329 849922 or  click here and one of our specialists will contact you.