British weather is unpredictable and can change in an instant. In Winter, heavy rain and windy days are a common occurrence. This can damage your awning, as it will get wet and dirty and may even tear if it’s not properly protected. 

If you have a retractable garden or patio awning, it’s prudent to take extra care of your awning at this time of year to avoid any damage. 

Read on for a few useful tips on how to care for your awning this Winter. 

First, Can Awnings be Used in Winter?   

Awnings can be used all year round. Just make sure they are not left extended during high winds, heavy rain, and heavy snow that we often receive during UK winters.  

We recommend that your awnings are kept reeled in when NOT IN USE during the Winter when there is uncertainty about the weather and to reduce the risk of any damage.  

If your awning is accidentally left out during bad weather in the wintertime, then any debris or water/snow MUST be removed to avoid it from becoming damaged. 

You can, of course, still, use your awnings in the Winter when the weather is clear! If you are lucky enough to own a fire pit, our awnings are perfect for giving your patio those cosy feelings. 

Now, let’s get into how to protect your awning during Winter: 

Don’t Use Your Awning When It Rains Heavy 

At Fraser James Blinds, all our awnings are weather-resistant.  

Although our awnings can provide shelter from very light showers, they are not designed to be used in heavy rain, so we recommend avoiding wet weather when using your garden awning.  

Using your patio awning as a rain shelter may be tempting. Still, heavy rain can damage the awning fabric and if rainwater pools, it can become too heavy and damage the arms and motor mechanisms. 

But don’t be disheartened. Our awnings may not be waterproof, but they can protect you from that beautiful summer sunshine and those classic British showers that always pop out during the family BBQ.   

It’s better to be safe than sorry! 

Tip: During the winter months, it’s best not to leave your awning out when you are not using it. If possible, keep it retracted in the casing to protect it from wind and rain. Weinor’s awning cassettes are strong and durable, so they will keep your awning safe and sound all Winter.  

Dry the Awning Fabric 

If your awning gets caught in a light rain shower and the fabric gets wet, roll it open again on a sunny day to fully dry. 

If a damp or wet awning is left rolled up in the cassette for a long time, moisture can get trapped inside and cause mildew build-up. This can damage the awning fabric and may even lead to rust forming on the retracting arms.  

This is especially important if you don’t plan to use your awning for a long time – give it a chance to breathe before rolling it away for the Winter. You’ll extend the life of your awning considerably.  

Clear Debris Regularly 

It’s not unusual for patio awnings to catch fallen leaves and twigs during the autumn and winter months, so take care to remove debris regularly to protect your awning.  

By periodically clearing away any debris, you can extend the life of your awning and avoid heavy-duty cleaning in the spring.  

Clean it!  

An awning is easy to care for, even in the Winter, and they require little effort to maintain as long as they are not exposed to extreme weather.    

You can keep your awning looking new by cleaning it with mild soap and water or a special cleaner designed for use on fabric. You can also use this same solution to clean the window frames if they are dirty!  

If your awning has any stains or marks, we recommend using a soft cloth to remove them from your awning. Do not use too much force when cleaning, as this may damage your awning.  

Check out our Awnings Care and Maintenance Guide for more information. 

Install an Awning Wind Sensor 

Retractable awnings are very robust and strong, but care needs to be taken when using them on windy days.  

With the often-changeable nature of the Great British weather, it’s easy to get caught out by increased wind speeds, so an automatic wind sensor takes away the hassle of monitoring the weather – the awning will simply close when the wind strength gets too high.  

The awnings we offer here at Fraser James Blinds can be outfitted with many useful and attractive additional accessories, including Wind Sensors, Heating and Lighting! For more information, click here.  

With these simple steps, you can be sure that your awning is protected throughout the winter months.  

Finding Your Perfect Awning    

Your garden is an extension of your home, and you want to be able to enjoy this space as much as possible throughout the year, which an awning enables you to do. 

Our team of expert fitters can help transform your patio with premium quality bespoke awnings for your house. Choose from a wide range of cover styles and colours, all made from the finest, most durable materials. Our awnings come with manual or electric operation systems to suit all budgets. 

Our clients rave about our awnings for houses. Don’t believe us? Just look at our fantastic video customer testimonials and 4.97-star ratings from 328 reviews!   

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

Enquire now by clicking here!