Guide to buying a retractable folding arm awning

A retractable “folding arm” awning is one of the simplest ways to create controllable sun shade, small, medium or large in size, protect adjoining rooms from heat and enjoy your outdoor space more often. Before you order, there are a few key decisions to work through: where the awning can safely be fixed, what size you really need, and which model, cassette style and operation will suit your home and lifestyle.

Table of Contents

1. Decide how you’ll use the space
2. Check your wall and fixing position
3. Choose the right size: width and projection
4. Orientation, sun path and pitch
5. Full cassette, semi cassette or open cassette?
6. End‑fix vs multi‑bracket (torque bar) designs
7. Manual or electric operation?
8. Fabric and colour choices
9. Using your awning in rain and wind
10. Installation and who should fit it
11. Quick checklist before you order

Start by being clear on what you want the awning to do day to day.

• Shade for a room: keeping a living room, kitchen or open plan area cooler and reducing glare. A good pitch on the awning cover to provide the maximum shade when fully extended, overlap either side for maximum shading.
• Outdoor living space: creating a defined area for dining, lounging or entertaining. Think bigger for this as the sun moves around a lot during the day so you want to overlap as much as possible in all directions.
• Occasional shelter: using the awning in light, wind free rain so you can stay outside longer. Essential that you have a good pitch on the awning cover for this use.

Your main purpose will influence the size, projection, fabric and model you choose, and whether you prioritise shading the door/window glass or covering furniture.

Before looking at awning models, check that the wall or structure you’re planning to use is suitable. This avoids choosing an awning that can’t be safely installed.

Brickwork and structure

• Aim to fix into strong masonry with at least several (5 as a guide) solid brick courses above and below the actual awning bracket positions, never fit near the top of a door or window opening.
• Avoid fixing brackets directly under window cills or right at the top of any single storey wall; these areas always lack the strength needed for a folding arm awning and the forces on the wall when extended and in use.
• On single storey extensions, you’ll often need special bracketry to pick up the stronger mid and lower wall brickwork and also raise the awning above door/window heads.

If your wall is rendered, it’s worth knowing what’s behind the render (solid brick, blockwork, timber frame) so the installer can choose the right fixings.

There is no exact science to this without exact details of original wall build and load capabilities from a building expert, so many people should and do tend to adopt a ‘belt and braces’ type approach with any awning of a reasonable size. Use chemfix for the brackets, order larger brackets when there is any doubt on the integrity of the wall and always order vertical spreader brackets for single storey buildings. Or gutter brackets if you need more height for the awning.

For more detailed information on bracket options, see our Guide to Special Brackets.

Obstacles and clearance
Look carefully for anything the awning or brackets must avoid: downpipes, external lights, vents, alarm boxes or cables.

• Measure the clear width between obstacles.
• Check that the cassette housing will sit clear of gutters, soffits and eaves.

Our “How to Measure for a Retractable Awning” guide provides diagrams and tips covering width, projection, mounting height and pitch.

Getting the size right is where most buyers need the most help. Width and projection determine how well the awning will shade your room and outdoor furniture.

Width
As a rule, your awning width should be at least slightly wider than the window or door opening you’re shading.

• For shading a room: aim for roughly 250–500 mm wider either side of the aperture, so the glass is comfortably shaded even when the sun is to one side or low.
• For covering a defined outdoor area: measure the full span of the patio or decking where you’ll sit and consider matching that width or covering the key section.

If your patio is very wide, you can either partially cover the main seating area with one awning or use two awnings to cover a larger space. 

Remember with any folding arm awning the fabric cover is ALWAYS narrower than the actual awning ordering width and this varies from model to model.

You will usually find the fabric is about 70mm either side narrower, so a 5000mm wide awning might have a 4860mm wide fabric cover.

Projection (how far it comes out)

Projection determines how much usable shaded area you’ll have.

• A 2.5 m projection is usually enough for a small table and chairs close to the wall.
• A 3 m or greater projection is recommended for families with larger tables, loungers or for creating a more generous outdoor living space.

Think in practical terms: mark out your furniture on the patio and imagine the front edge of the awning 2.5 m or 3 m above it, then decide what feels right. Use a straight piece of timber and hold it against the wall as high as you can at an angle and see where the shade appears on the floor. You might be surprised

Our most popular sizes
On Awnings Online, our most popular retractable awnings are between 4.5 m and 5.5 m wide with a 2.5 m - 3.6 m projection. These sizes work particularly well across large patio or bi‑fold door openings and provide a generous, flexible shaded area for typical UK gardens.

In nearly two decades of selling awnings, customers far more often wish they’d gone a little larger than regret choosing a more generous size. Remember: with any retractable awning you can stop it at any point during extension, so a larger unit still gives you fine control over shade throughout the day.

Where the sun comes from and how it moves across your garden is just as important as the raw measurements.

Garden orientation

• South facing gardens get the most intense sun, often all day. You’ll generally appreciate a slightly larger projection and fabrics that manage heat well.
• West facing spaces are hottest later in the day, when the sun is lower. Projection and pitch help catch that low sun so it doesn’t blaze under the awning.
• North/east facing aspects are cooler; shading is mostly about comfort and protecting the room, not dealing with extreme heat.

Awnings create angled shade rather than acting as a solid roof, so the exact position and angle will affect how far the shadow reaches at different times.

Mounting height and pitch

• For most homes, a mounting height somewhere between about 2.5 and 3 m works well, with the awning pitched down towards the front.
• Minimum recommended mounting height: around 2.5 m from the finished floor level to the bottom of the cassette housing.
• Ideal pitch: roughly 14 - 20 degrees when the awning is fully extended. This allows rainwater to run off quickly and gives effective shade.

The lower front edge should still be comfortable to walk under, even with this pitch, so it’s worth thinking about head height clearance when you plan your fixing height.

Once you know the size and where the awning can fix, you can narrow down the type of cassette – how much of the mechanism and fabric is enclosed when the awning is retracted.
Most people think they automatically want a full cassette awning, but that isn’t necessarily the right or best choice or even required

Full cassette awnings
Full cassette awnings retract the arms and fabric completely into an aluminium cassette housing, protecting them from weather and dirt when closed. You will see many variations on the shape of these - square, rectangular, oval, round and so on and this may be relevant to your house style for sure.

• Best for exposed locations, coastal areas and homes where the awning will be left installed year round.
• Cleanest visual appearance on the wall, as everything is enclosed, fabric and folding arm mechanism.

Many full cassette designs are “end‑fix” awnings, meaning the main brackets sit close to the arms at each end of the cassette rather than on a central torque bar. This is perfect for solid walls with clear space at each end, or where there might be a large doorway to cover with ni fixing points above ad along the length of the aperture.

Semi cassette awnings
Semi cassette awnings partially enclose the fabric and components, often leaving some of the arms exposed when closed.

• Good balance of protection, weight and cost. The important part is protected, the fabric.
• Mostly use a central torque bar, allowing multiple bracket positions and spreading the load more evenly along the wall.

For many domestic patios, a high quality semi cassette model offers more than enough protection, especially in less exposed locations and is often a stronger overall installation.

Open cassette awnings
Open cassette awnings leave the roller and arms visible, but can be supplied with aluminium hood covers to protect the fabric from rainfall when retracted. They are typically used more in commercial applications because of their lighter weight and multiple fixing points.

• Typically lighter in weight, which can help on less substantial walls.
• Very good value and available in a wide range of sizes with torque bar arrangements for flexible bracket positions.

The right option depends on your wall, exposure, budget and design preference. For larger sizes, it’s worth comparing several models in each category.

Understanding how the awning is supported on the wall helps you pick a model that suits your fixing position.

• End fix awnings hang from brackets located near each end, usually integrated with the cassette ends. They suit walls with strong masonry across the width and clear space at both ends. Many end fix models do require a third central bracket to avoid deflection in the cassette over about 4.5m wide so be aware. Some specific models do not.
• Multi bracket or torque bar awnings use several brackets along a central support bar, spreading the forces more evenly and allowing you to avoid obstacles like doors and downpipes.

If your wall has limited solid fixing points or multiple interruptions, a torque‑bar semi or open cassette model with variable bracket positions can be the more practical and safer choice.

Next, decide how you want to operate your awning.

Electric awnings
Electric operation makes it effortless to use the awning as part of your daily routine. As it is just the push of a button it is easier to constantly adjust during the day time and with the sun moving around.

• Ideal for larger sizes, frequent use and upstairs balconies.
• Can be controlled by wall switches, remote controls or integrated smart home systems, depending on the model.
• Allows you to add weather sensors such as wind, motion, sun, temperature and rain detectors to automatically retract or extend the awning as conditions change.

Weather sensors are a genuine safety and convenience benefit, helping protect the awning if the weather turns while you’re busy or away from home. The wind or motion sensor will always override all other sensors to protect the awning.

Manual awnings
Manual operation uses a crank winding handle to extend and retract the awning.

• Best suited to smaller and medium sized awnings, where the effort required is modest.
• Once the projection is above 3m there is a lot of winding to carry out.
• Ideal if you’re confident you’ll always retract the awning when not nearby.
• Typically around £400 less than an equivalent electric model on many ranges, which can be attractive for tighter budgets.

Both options give the exact same shade when extended; the difference is how effortless you want everyday use to feel and whether you want the additional protection of automatic sensors and sensors to help control the sun and heat automatically.

The fabric is the most visible part of your awning and plays a big role in comfort, heat and longevity.

Performance and technology
High quality external awning fabrics are designed for:

• Excellent UV protection to help shield you and adjoining rooms from harmful rays.
• Fade resistance, so colours remain strong for years in the British climate.
• Resistance to dirt and staining, making them easier to keep looking fresh.

Water resistant, breathable fabrics are ideal for folding arm awnings; fully waterproof is not necessary as you do not want sitting on the fabric or stressing the arms and brackets at anytime.

Colour and orientation
With hundreds of solids, stripes, textures and blocks available, the “best” fabric is the one that suits your home and how you use the space.

• South facing aspects often benefit from slightly darker or more saturated colours to help keep the space cooler.
• West facing patios see intense late day sun; mid‑tone fabrics balance glare control with warmth.
• North/east‑facing aspects can feel dimmer, so lighter colours may help to enhance light and make the area feel brighter.

Textured and striped fabrics can also reduce perceived glare compared with very flat, light solids, while adding visual interest to the façade.
There are usually extended technical details available for any of the fabrics so you can assess their UV value and other performance data.

A common question is whether a retractable awning can be used in rain or wind. It’s important to set the right expectations from the outset. Whilst most high quality awnings have a tested wind class rating this is at a certain size and in controlled test conditions. In real world use, steady vs. buffeting wind conditions can make a huge difference and most awnings are in fact tested to wind speeds where you wouldn’t want to be sitting outside anyway. The larger the awning the more it will catch the wind, just like a kit or sail would. If you want a very large awning and you know it is windy where you are then maybe look at a retractable fabric pergola system instead for the better stability and performance.

• A folding arm awning is primarily designed for shade. It can be used in light, wind free rain if correctly pitched (around 14–20 degrees), as this allows water to run off the front quickly.
• Avoid heavy, persistent rain and definitely avoid windy or stormy conditions; extra water and wind load put strain on the fabric, arms and brackets.
• Always retract the awning if you’re not nearby, or use suitable wind/motion sensors on electric models for automatic protection.

Think of the awning as an adjustable shade canopy with occasional light rain use, not as a permanent storm cover.

Retractable awnings are substantial products that must be installed correctly for safety and long term performance.

• Larger awnings can weigh 50 kg or more, and all that weight is supported by the wall and brackets.
• Correct fixings, bracket spacing and torque bar use are critical, especially on single storey extensions, rendered walls or mixed construction.
• Many customers choose professional installation to ensure the awning is level, pitched correctly and safely anchored into suitable masonry.

If you’re unsure whether your wall is suitable, it helps to send in photos and basic measurements. Experienced installers can quickly advise on bracket options or whether an alternative product is better suited.

Awnings Online can help you with professional installers and surveyors, so if you are thinking you don't want to get involved at all then send us photos of your proposed area and ideas and we can recommend the best potential awning model and provide independent installer details for you.

To recap, here’s a simple checklist to run through before placing your order:

• Purpose: Are you shading a room, creating an outdoor living area, or both?
• Wall: Have you checked the wall type, brickwork strength and any obstacles?
• Measurements: Do you know your available width, desired projection and mounting height?
• Orientation: Have you considered how the sun moves across your garden and where you normally sit?
• Cassette type: Have you chosen between full cassette, semi cassette or open cassette based on exposure, appearance and budget?
• Operation: Have you decided on manual or electric, and whether you want wind/sun sensors?
• Fabric: Have you selected a fabric colour and pattern that suits your aspect and style?
• Installation: Are you planning professional installation, and have you checked any access issues?