Which Awning Is Best for Your Home?

Posted on 26th March 2024 by Gemini Blinds

The UK is notorious for having temperamental summers, with scorching sunshine one moment and sudden downpours the next. This can be a problem, especially if you’re beginning to arrange barbecues and garden parties now that summer is right around the corner. An awning is a great solution to this issue, providing protection against the elements so that you can enjoy your outdoor space in all weather conditions.

However, with so many types available, you might be unsure which awning is best for your home. Luckily, the team at Gemini Blinds is here to help with this comprehensive guide.

How to choose the right awning

To ensure your awning is suitable for your home, there are several factors that you must consider:

• Location: You’ll need to decide just where you’d like your awning to be positioned, as this affects the type of awning that is best suited to your needs. Do you require shade over a patio or deck? Or is there a perfect picnic spot in the middle of your garden that you’d like to protect? The location of your awning determines whether a wall-mounted awning or a pergola would be most appropriate.
  
• Materials: Awnings are available in a wide range of materials, from aluminium and acrylic to polyester and canvas. You’ll want to choose a material that not only provides great weather protection, but also looks great and complements the aesthetic of your property. While aluminium awnings no doubt look sleek, fabric awnings are available in an extensive range of colours and patterns, meaning there are more opportunities for customisation.
• Price: Many people might be limited by budget when choosing an awning and certain styles will be more expensive than others. For example, retractable awnings boast a more intricate mechanism, so will likely cost more than a standard wall-mounted canopy. It’s also important to bear in mind that while features like automation massively enhance convenience, this benefit is reflected in the price tag and an electric awning will cost more than a manual one.
  
• Size: How much shade does your garden need? If you’re only looking to cover a limited area, a simple window and door awning might be best. However, if you need to cover an expansive area, you might want to consider a patio awning or a pergola awning instead.

Types of awnings

Pergola awnings

When you choose a pergola awning, these structures are entirely freestanding. This means you’re not limited to where you can place them, making them a perfect solution if you’d like some shade directly in the middle of your garden. Made from a lightweight aluminium frame and a retractable fabric covering, pergola awnings are a stylish yet durable solution for any outdoor space.

Glass awnings and verandas

If you’d like to ensure shelter without sacrificing any natural light, glass awnings are ideal and enable you to relax while looking up at blue skies above. Constructed from toughened glass, these awnings are incredibly durable and designed with weather resistance in mind, facilitating alfresco living all year round.

Retractable awnings

The beauty of a retractable awning is that you can precisely modify the exact amount of coverage it provides to accommodate the sun’s changing position throughout the day. Thanks to its compact design, your awning will neatly tuck away into a cassette when not in use to save space and ensure a neat and tidy exterior.

Side awnings

Awnings don’t just provide protection from above; a side awning is a vertical awning that provides additional shelter from, as the name suggests, the side. These awnings are particularly effective at protecting against poor weather, such as harsh winds or driving rain. Here at Gemini Blinds, we stock PVC, mesh and solid fabric side awnings, with blackout options also available if you’d like to fully block glare from the sun.

Benefits of an awning

• Enhanced privacy: Whether you live next door to a multi-storey building or you’d just like some privacy from nosy neighbours, an awning protects you from any prying eyes.
• Maximises outdoor space: An awning leaves you free to use your garden all year round, meaning you can plan outdoor activities without worrying about the weather.
• UV protection: On a scorching hot day, an awning provides some much-needed shade and protection against harmful UV rays, meaning you can relax outside without having to be concerned about sunburn.
• Customisable: When you work with a trusted awning supplier like Gemini Blinds, we supply a vast range of awnings in numerous styles, designs and colours, allowing you to customise your awning to suit your preferences.

If you’re interested in the benefits that an awning can offer your home this summer, get in touch with the friendly team at Gemini Blinds today. With over 40 years of experience serving homeowners across Chester, Manchester and Liverpool, we’re a trusted name throughout the area and our experts are always happy to talk you through the awnings we have available.