Whilst fabric, colour and style are all important things to consider when buying a patio awning, it is also important to consider what size awning you need. 

All our awnings are made to measure to fit your home, but you still need to decide on the width and projection of your awning. 

If the words width and projection strike fear in your head, no need to panic! We are going to explain what we mean by width, projection AND the pitch of an awning, along with tips on how to decide on your perfect size. 

What is an Awning Width? 

The awning width refers to the length of the awning mount. Simply put, the longer the bar, the wider your awning will be. 

When considering your awning width, you need to decide how far you want the awning to stretch across your wall. An easy way to gather a rough idea about length is to use a tape measure to measure a horizontal line across the desired wall (you may need to enlist a helper if your wall is wide). Depending on how wide your area is, a solution can be to couple two or more awnings together to cover your entire area. 

This will allow you to roughly decide how wide you want your awning to be before your consultation. 

What is an Awning Projection? 

The awning projection refers to how far your awning extends from the wall. 

Similarly, to width, you can measure projection using a tape measure as well. You should extend your tape measure straight away from the wall and measure a line straight out. 

The awning projection will affect how much shading you would like your awning to provide. 

How much width to projection is recommended?  

The standard recommendation is for the awning projection to be 0.5m less than its width. The most common measurements for a patio awning are 3m width and 2.5m projection. 

However, this isn’t mandatory, and the Fraser James Blinds team would be happy to discuss and advise if you wish for more or less that a 0.5 metre difference. 

What is the Awning Pitch? 

The awning pitch refers to the angle at which your awning sits. This will be calculated by your surveyor.  

The pitch of an awning is not merely aesthetic, but it serves a very important function of allowing rainwater to properly run off the awning and prevent it from puddling. If too much rainwater puddles on top of the awning fabric, it can cause the awning to fall and become damaged. A serious safety hazard, we are sure you will agree.  

The steeper the pitch of an awning, the more quickly water will run off. When awnings are set at the minimum pitch, it will still be possible for some rainwater to collect on top – even if the fabric is tight. Another benefit of having a steeper pitch is that it will allow your awning to provide you with even more shade protection on sunny days. 

Even a few extra inches of pitch in your awning can make a huge difference both in how quickly water runs off and how much shade your awning provides. 

It should be noted that this does not affect the price of an awning, but it does affect the amount of shading it can provide.  

So, how do I know what size awning to choose?  

There are two main factors that dictate which size awning you need: the space that requires shading and which direction it faces. 

For the first factor in deciding on your awning size, to get a general idea of the awning size you need, measure the area that you’d like to cover. This includes any spaces with patio sets, 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 in which 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. 

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

Measurements to consider when calculating awning size: 

• The height of the awning; 
• The overall width of the awning (including motor and cassette); 
• The distance between the windows/doors and the roof; 
• The depth of the area you want to cover; 
• The type of area you want to cover; 
• The height of your lintel. 

Finding Your Perfect Awning 

Picking the perfect awning size for your home is not such a daunting task when you break it down into smaller decisions. 

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