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Large dark green awning covering a patio

Awnings buying guide

Written by Yvonne Keal

Product Management specialist

Written: 12/02/2021

Updated: 17/07/2024

Read our top tips to choosing an awning for your outside space. Get expert advice on the things you need to consider and find out more about the options available to help you enjoy comfortable, fuss-free entertaining. 

1. Make sure your awning will provide adequate shade
It sounds obvious, but getting the size of your awning just right can be more difficult than you think. Because the sun moves position throughout the day, you need to make sure that your awning is large enough to provide shade at all times. That’s why our awnings specialists carry out a full technical survey to ensure that once fitted, your awning will be positioned perfectly. 

Red and Yellow Striped Awning
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2. Choose a treated fabric to withstand variable weather conditions
The British weather is decidedly changeable so you need to be confident that your awning will be durable enough to cope just as well in a heatwave as in a sudden downpour. Our water-resistant fabrics undergo rigorous technical testing to guarantee their long-term performance. And once selected, our awning fabrics are specially treated to help prevent fading and weathering. 

Red Striped Waterproof Awning Fabric
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3. Invest in intelligent weather technology
No-one wants to spend their time worrying about the weather, so it pays to invest in weather sensors to do the thinking for you. We offer sun and wind sensors which will automatically open and close your awning in response to different weather conditions.  

Grey Striped Awning With Wind and Sun Sensors
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4. Think about how you use your outside space
Most of our customers tell us that they want to extend their entertaining space into the garden so they can enjoy al fresco dining at all times of the day. In which case we recommend adding integrated lighting and heating to your awning so you can eat out comfortably as much as possible. For ease and convenience we also recommend a motorised control, so you can operate your awning simply with the touch of a button. 

Grey Awning With Lights
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5. Choose a design you can live with
Lots of people now see their garden as an extension of their home and choose furniture, planting schemes and hard landscaping that complements the style of their interior decor. Our awnings are available in a range of plain and striped fabrics to suit all styles and tastes. You can even select the shape of your hem. Choose a straight hem for a contemporary tailored look or opt for a scalloped hem for a more traditional street cafe feel. 

Cream Awning Against Patio area
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Give your garden a glow up with our range of stylish awnings

From parties to playdates, family gatherings to home working, an awning is a great way to transform your garden into the perfect outdoor living space. Our buying guide talks you through the options available to help you enjoy fuss-free outdoor entertaining all-year round.

What is the difference between awnings and pergola awnings?

Bring the indoors out

From parties to playdates, family gatherings to home working, a retractable awning is a great way to transform your garden into the perfect outdoor living space. All our awnings are made from the most robust fabrics. Choose from a gorgeous range of patterned and plain fabrics to reflect your personal style. And with accessories like decorative valances, heaters and lighting strips, you can fully customise your awning to match your lifestyle, home and garden. Opt for a smart hub, and you’ll be able to control your awning with an app on your phone or even with your voice through your smart home device.

Every awning is made to your exact specification, in any width from 2m up to 5.5m, with a projection from 1.5m to 3.5m. Your advisor will make sure your awning is the right size and optimally positioned to give you the greatest amount of shade.

striped yellow motorised awning in modern garden

Why choose an awning?

Awnings are the go-to choice for garden living. They extend outwards to provide shade over your patio space, creating a comfortable area for outdoor dining, relaxing or playing. 

Every one of our awnings is made to your exact specification, in any width from 2m up to 5.5m, with a projection from 1.5m to 3.5m. Your advisor will make sure your awning is the right size and positioned in the right place to give you the best amount of shade. They'll also talk you through all your customisation options – keep reading to find out more.

YVONNE , HILLARYS PRODUCT MANAGER
Think of your garden as an extra room with the increased coverage of our pergola awnings. Spanning up to 6m in width and 5m in length, create the ideal setting for outdoor entertaining.
YVONNE , HILLARYS PRODUCT MANAGER

What makes our awnings and pergola awnings special

Blue and white awning in a garden with a sofa, coffee table, free standing lamp and rug

Make it your own

We've got accessories and features to help you get the most out of your outdoor space all year round. Take a look:

 

Frame colour
The arms and brackets of our awnings are available in a choice of white or anthracite grey. We also offer custom colour options for cassettes, so you can match it to your windows and doors.

Valance shapes
We offer four shapes of valance, each with a standard drop of 20cm. You can choose from a straight hem for a contemporary tailored look or go for a scalloped hem for a more traditional street café feel. 

Heating and lighting
Awnings provide excellent shade from midday sun, and if the temperature drops at night integrated lighting and heating options help keep you comfortable.

Mo Hussen, @mo.and.the.jungle.shelf - Popular interior design enthusiast
With our new awning, outside feels like more than just a patio. It gives that pub garden feel so as well as a garden I’ve got that entertaining space. I’m already thinking about the parties I'm going to be hosting.
Mo Hussen, @mo.and.the.jungle.shelf - Popular interior design enthusiast
patio space with verona green awning

Choosing the right product for adequate shade

Choosing the right shade solution for your patio depends on how much coverage you need. Because the sun moves position throughout the day, you need to make sure that you go for something large enough to provide shade at all times.

Our specialists carry out a full technical survey to ensure that once fitted, your awning will be positioned perfectly.

 

See how our service works

Consider matching with indoor furniture

Lots of people now see their garden as an extension of their home and choose furniture, planting schemes and hard landscaping that complements the style of their interior décor.

Our awnings are available in a range of plain and striped fabrics to suit all styles and tastes. You can even select the shape of your hem.

Choose a straight hem for a contemporary tailored look or opt for a scalloped hem for a more traditional street cafe feel. 

Suzie Tipple, @housewithblueshutters - Interior designer
Our awning does it all. It protects us from the sun which means we can eat, work and exercise comfortably, and in the evenings the heaters keep this space wonderfully cosy.
Suzie Tipple, @housewithblueshutters - Interior designer

Boost the performance of your awning with a treated fabric

Our awnings and pergola awnings are sturdy and build to last with premium materials. UV resistant awning fabrics undergo rigorous testing and are specially treated to maintain their colour and vibrancy for longer.

 

Take a look at the collection
Awnings

Invest in intelligent technology

All our awnings are motorised as standard, making them really easy to open and close using a remote control.

Add a Somfy hub and you'll be able to control your awning via an app on your phone or even voice command through an Amazon Alexa or Google Home device.

Plus, our awnings are made with special UV resistant fabrics that undergo rigorous testing and are treated to maintain their colour and vibrancy for longer.

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