Retractable awnings are a great way to protect your home from UV rays and weather elements while also increasing the curb appeal of your property. A lovely aesthetic feature to your outdoor living space, they add colour and style to your garden while also being practical. Don’t we all want our home to be the envy of our neighbours in 2023?

Choosing the right awning for your house requires research and forethought to ensure that the awning you purchase is suitable for your space.

Here are the top ten things you should consider when purchasing your dream retractable awning: 

1. Size 

Before deciding on a retractable awning, it’s essential to consider what size will work best for your patio. 

Two main factors affect this decision: how much sun your patio gets and how much shade you want. 

For the first factor in deciding on your awning size, measure the area you’d like to cover to get a general idea of the awning size you need.  

This includes any spaces with patio sets and door walls outside or above multiple windows. The measurement you take will give you an idea of what size awning you’ll need, large or small, to perfectly fit your area.  

The second factor in determining the ideal awning size for your home is the direction it faces (time to get the compass out!).  

Many homes with an east or west exposure find that an awning with a 10-foot projection perfectly suits their needs. For homes with patio sets or areas away from the house that need to be covered, 12- or 13-foot projections work well. 

Fraser James Blinds recommends an awning that is as wide as possible for north or south-facing homes. We recommend adding approximately 3 to 4 feet to the width of the desired area for the awning’s dimensions.

Still confused? Fraser James Blinds are happy to help.  

2. Manual or Automatic Retractable Awning

When considering a retractable awning, there are two main types: manual and automatic. 

Both types provide the same functionality but different opening and closing convenience levels. Manual versions require you to lift and lower the awning manually, while automatic ones do this for you at the push of a button or with the touch of an app on your phone. 

As you would expect, automatic options are slightly more expensive than manual ones. Still, they can save on energy costs by using less electricity than manual systems. They’re also easier to use in general because they don’t require effort when opening or closing them. If these features sound appealing, an automatic retractable shade may be right for you! 

3. Colour & Design 

The colour of the awnings for your home should complement your home’s design and interior style. The awning should complement the rest of your house, providing visual continuity when you enter the home.  

There are many different options when choosing the colour of awnings for your home. The first thing to consider is your house’s architectural style.  

A traditional-styled home would benefit from a more subdued colour. In contrast, a modern-styled home would benefit from bold colours. Consider your home’s architectural style when choosing a colour for your awnings. You might even want to contrast it with the exterior colour of your house to create a statement.

Our team of expert fitters can help transform your patio with premium quality bespoke awnings. Choose from a wide range of cover styles and colours made from the finest, most durable materials.  

4. The Angle Of The Retractable Awning

The angle of an awning is something people may overlook but is very important for overall performance. 

For windows facing east or west, the drop size should be 65-75% for optimal performance. For a south-facing window, the drop can be as low as 45-60% as less coverage is needed due to the angle of the sun.  

5. Full Cassette, Semi Cassette, or Open Awning 

The type of awning you decide to purchase depends on the property you’ll be installing it on and the level of protection the awning will have. We can advise which products are suitable for your design and budget.    

• Open: Open awnings have an exposed roller and mechanism, but you may want to incorporate a top cover for added protection, especially if you are prone to frequent or unpredictable lousy weather in your area. Open awnings will still provide the same level of sun protection as other types of awnings and will still be of the same high-quality standard. 
• Semi Cassette: A semi-cassette awning may be sufficient for your needs if you have a more sheltered garden or patio. A semi-cassette awning is ideal for most situations, delivering a medium level of protection from weather damage and general wear and tear from the elements due to it having half of a cassette which sits above the roll of fabric.
• Full Cassette: This type of awning delivers the highest level of protection from the elements, as the roller and the whole arm mechanism are enclosed when the awning is retracted. This shields the entire system from the elements, including heavy rain and dirt that can accumulate.   

6. The Price Of The Retractable Awning

If you’re wondering about the price of awnings for your home, there are several things to consider. The most important thing to consider is the quality of the installation.  

You want your awning to last the distance, so you should ensure that you’ve hired professionals from Fraser James Blinds with a track record for quality work. You’re buying it in 2023 but you want it to last way into the distance. Otherwise, you’ll likely end up paying more in the long run because of improper installation or having to refit it if the installers don’t do a good job.  

Here at Fraser James Blinds, all our prices include VAT and installation, which makes it easier to budget before the awning is fitted. But you may want to include some extra funds for optional extras such as wind sensors, heating, lighting, and valances too! 

We also offer finance options for awnings, as we believe everyone should be able to enjoy the benefits of the awning they want. This allows you to spread out payments over time. Find out more here.

Awnings for your home are available in many different styles and materials. The price will also depend on how elaborate you want your awning to be, the quality of the material used, and the installation.  

7. Saving Energy  

Retractable awnings can be an excellent way to save energy. They provide shade from the sun, which can help reduce your need for air conditioning or fans. They provide shade, allowing less direct, blazing sunshine into your home. 

8. Warranty 

You should also consider the type of warranty available. Awnings are an investment, so you should ensure the warranty is sufficient.  

We ensure the highest possible standards with all our awnings, and all components are manufactured with the most durable materials. For instance, heavy-duty aluminium is used for folding arms, and all our awnings come with a 5-year guarantee for ultimate peace of mind.  

9. Extra Features 

Before buying an awning, you should think if there are any accessories you want to add. Our awnings can be outfitted with many useful and attractive additional accessories, including: 

• Valances: If you’re looking for more than a retractable awning, consider installing valances. These fabric panels hang from the bottom edge of your retractable awning and can be used as curtains or shade.  
• Heating: Consider adding heating to enhance the comfort of your patio area when there’s a chill in the air.  
• Lighting: Perfect for evening or night-time gatherings.
• Wind Sensors:  With the often-changeable nature of the Great British weather, it’s easy to get caught out by increased wind speeds. Hence, an automatic wind sensor eliminates the hassle of monitoring the weather – the awning will simply close when the wind strength gets too high. 

10. Protecting Your Retractable Awning  

Protecting your retractable awning is an important consideration. There isn’t much to do to protect your awning once installed. Still, it is essential to follow some general operating rules to ensure it operates properly and maintains its original charm. Some of these examples are as follows:  

• Try not to roll up the awning when the fabric is wet. If it starts to rain, retracing the awning is necessary due to wind or other weather hazards. Open it and let the fabric dry at the earliest opportunity. 
• It is good practice to keep the awning in a closed position when not in use.  
• Wind and severe weather can damage your awning, be sure to keep it in the closed position during anticipated bad weather events. 
• Cleaning your awning fabric regularly with mild detergent will help the fabric look its best over time. You can also use this same solution to clean the window frames if they are dirty! Check out our Awnings Care and Maintenance Guide for more information.

Finding Your Perfect Retractable Awning 

The bottom line is that you want to know everything about the product before you buy it. In 2023, we should all pride ourselves on being money-savvy. This will help ensure that your new retractable awning will provide all the benefits you’re looking for, like sun protection and energy efficiency.  

Our team of expert fitters can help transform your patio with premium quality bespoke awnings for your house.  

Don’t forget to call Fraser James Blinds if you have any questions or concerns about measuring for an awning or the installation process.  

Enquire now by clicking here!