Around this time of year, we start to feel the summer coming on and all the possibilities that arrive with it. We may have already put our patio furniture back out, had our first barbecue of the year or spent a lazy afternoon with the doors to our garden open. If you enjoy using your patio, decking or garden seating area, an awning makes a big difference throughout the warmer months. It gives you shade and shelter when you need it, then folds away when you want to return your garden to the way it was.
At Knights Blinds, we supply and install awnings for businesses and homes in Kent, with made-to-measure options for patios, gardens, balconies and commercial spaces.
Why plan your awning before the summer?
There are many elements to consider when choosing an awning: the size of your patio, the direction your garden faces, where the sun falls, and how much cover you want at different times of the day. You may also want to think about how your space is used in changing weather, or whether you would like to stay outside longer in the evening.
By planning early, you can take your time with these choices. You can consider frame styles, fabric colours, control options, and other extras that make the space more comfortable.
It’s not recommended to leave things until the first hot spell, when you are already wishing the patio was easier to use. You may end up rushing the decision or subjecting yourself to longer wait times for manufacture and installation.
Make your patio easier to use in everyday life
The exposed concrete of a patio is not always the most comfortable place to relax. In the middle of the day, the table can become too hot. Children may need a shaded spot to play. Bright sun can make it hard to sit and read. If your patio doors face the sun, heat can also build up inside the house.
An awning creates a covered area directly where you need it. That might be over an outdoor dining table, a seating area, or the space outside your kitchen doors. It can help make lunch outside more relaxed, give you a more comfortable place to have a cup of tea, and reduce harsh sunlight coming straight into the room.
It can also be useful when the weather is less predictable. Awnings can provide helpful shelter from light showers or drizzle, so you do not always have to move indoors at the first sign of rain.
Create cover without adding a permanent structure
Some homeowners want more shade or shelter, but do not want a fixed canopy or pergola. A retractable awning offers a lot of flexibility. You can extend it when the sun is strong, keep it out during a light shower, then fold it away when you want the garden open again. This is especially useful in outdoor spaces that are used in different ways throughout the day. You might want shade over lunch, a bit of cover for guests in changeable weather, and open sky later in the evening.
Cassette awnings also help keep the look tidy when the awning is closed. The fabric and mechanism are stored neatly away, which protects the fabric and gives a cleaner finish on the outside of the house.
Choose an awning that suits your space
Every outdoor area is different. A smaller patio or balcony may need a compact awning that gives useful cover without feeling too large for the space. A wider garden seating area may need a more robust option with a larger projection.
We offer a choice of external awnings, including compact designs for smaller areas, stronger systems for larger spaces, and versatile cassette options with different finishes.
There are also plenty of fabrics and finishes to choose from. You could pick a neutral fabric that sits quietly against the house, or a bolder stripe for a retro feel in your garden.
Make the garden more inviting in the evening
An awning is often thought of as a daytime feature, but it can improve the patio later in the day as well. Options such as integrated LED lighting can make the space feel warmer and more welcoming in the evening. Built-in heating can also help when the temperature drops, which is useful if you enjoy evening drinks, having friends over, or sitting in the garden after work.
These extras help turn a patio into more than just a place to sit in the sun. It can become an outdoor room: somewhere to relax, chat, eat and unwind even after the sun has gone down.
Enjoy extra convenience with a motorised awning
With motorised control, you can open or close your awning at the touch of a button. This is useful when the weather changes quickly, or when you want to adjust the cover without getting up from the table.
Wind and sun sensors can also be added. These allow awnings to respond to changing conditions, such as extending for shade or retracting in stronger wind. For homeowners who like simple, easy-to-use features, motorisation makes awnings a natural part of a daily routine.
Protect your soft furnishings and garden furniture
Strong sunlight fades cushions, outdoor furniture and flooring over time. If sunlight shines through patio doors, it can affect your soft furnishings indoors too.
An awning reduces direct sun exposure in the area it covers. In addition to protecting your furniture from sun bleaching and fading, glare inside your home is reduced if you install an awning over large windows or doors.
Why choose a made to measure awning?
An awning needs to be right for the wall, the space and the way you use your garden. A made-to-measure awning provides a much better result than a generic off-the-shelf option. It’s sized specifically for your patio and fitted securely, so that daily operation is smooth and seamless.
Professional fitting is also invaluable. The awning needs to operate without any hiccups and sit safely in place. With the right advice, you can choose a system that suits the space rather than guessing at what might work.
Knights Blinds offers consultation, custom design, professional installation and aftercare support for awnings across Kent. To talk through your options, contact our team or visit our showroom.
