August is one of the best times to make the most of your garden.
Whether you’re having friends over for dinner, enjoying a quiet afternoon outside or simply leaving the patio doors open, creating a comfortable area of shade can make your outdoor space considerably more usable.
That’s where a well-chosen garden awning can make a difference.
What is a garden awning?
An awning creates a covered area extending from your property, providing shade over patios, terraces, seating areas and doors.
Unlike a permanent extension, retractable awnings give you the flexibility to decide when you want shade and when you’d rather enjoy the sunshine.
Brighton Sunblinds offers made-to-measure awnings and canopies for homes and businesses across Brighton and Sussex, with manual and motorised options available.
Create a more comfortable outdoor living space
Gardens increasingly function as an extension of the home.
A patio might be your dining room on a warm evening, somewhere to entertain at the weekend or simply somewhere to relax with a coffee.
But intense sunshine can make an otherwise attractive space uncomfortable.
Adding shade gives you greater flexibility over how and when you use your outdoor area. It can also help protect outdoor furniture and provide shade around windows and doors.
Which type of awning should you choose?
There isn’t one style of awning that’s suitable for every property.
Brighton Sunblinds offers several options, including cassette, open and pergola awnings.
Cassette awnings
A cassette awning retracts into a protective casing when it isn’t being used.
Full cassette systems enclose the fabric and arms, while semi-cassette systems provide partial protection.
That additional protection can be particularly relevant for properties around Brighton and the Sussex coast, where changing weather conditions need to be considered. Brighton Sunblinds specifically recommends the protective casing as useful in Brighton’s coastal climate.
Open awnings
An open awning doesn’t have the protective cassette around its fabric and arms.
This makes it a simpler and more cost-effective option, particularly where the awning already benefits from protection from an overhang, balcony or soffit.
Pergola awnings
For larger patios and outdoor seating areas, a pergola awning provides a more structural solution.
Supported by front posts, these systems combine the appearance of a pergola with flexible retractable fabric. They’re designed to provide shade and some shelter while creating a more defined outdoor living space.
Manual or motorised?
How frequently you plan to use your awning can help determine whether manual or motorised operation is right for you.
A manual awning provides a straightforward way to create shade when needed.
Motorisation adds convenience, particularly for larger installations, allowing the awning to extend and retract without manual operation.
Brighton Sunblinds offers both operating styles across its awning range.
Choose something that complements your home
An awning is a significant visual feature, so function isn’t the only consideration.
Colour, fabric and finish can all help the installation complement the character of your property.
Brighton Sunblinds currently offers a broad selection of powder-coated finishes and acrylic and polyester fabrics, allowing the final design to be tailored to the property.
A local solution for Brighton and Sussex
For coastal homes in particular, it’s worth choosing an awning with local conditions in mind.
Having the space professionally measured also means the size, fixing position and style can be considered in relation to your individual property rather than relying on an off-the-shelf solution.
Brighton Sunblinds manufactures and installs locally and has over 50 years’ experience working with homes across Brighton and Sussex.
Make more of your garden this summer
A garden awning isn’t simply about creating shade. It’s about making an outdoor space more comfortable and giving you more opportunities to use it.
If you’re considering an awning for your garden or patio, explore Brighton Sunblinds’ awnings and canopies or book a free consultation to discuss the different options available.