How to choose the right patio awning

In recent years, people living in the UK have become more accustomed to enjoying drinking and dining outdoors. Patios and decking areas at home and also out at pubs, bars and restaurants are increasingly popular spaces to enjoy a meal, drinks and social gatherings.

Choosing the right deck and patio awning for your space is important though, as there are lots of options to consider. Get it right, and you will enjoy decades of protection from sun, wind and rain, whilst making the most of your outside areas.

When deciding on the perfect awning, there are a few initial considerations to keep in mind:

• What is the purpose of your awning, and where will you want it to be located?
• What size is appropriate for your location? How far do you need the covering to project?
• Do you have a particular style in mind to suit your aesthetic taste?
• Do you have a preference on materials, either for style or durability?
• Would you prefer motorised or manual operation?
• What kind of energy efficiency are you hoping to achieve

For more information on the energy efficiency savings a patio awning can provide, take a look at our sustainability section.

If you’re just starting on your journey to discover what awnings for patios are available and are not sure on the above questions yet, read on to dive a little deeper into the different types of patio awnings available. Alternatively, reach out to a member of our friendly team who will be happy to assist you.

Garden Patio Awnings

When selecting awnings for home patios, your primary focus will often be on personal aesthetics. You should pay close attention to the size of space you intend to cover and don’t want to overwhelm your outdoor space. The material choice is important for durability and ease of maintenance and should be appropriate to offer adequate weather protection.

Consider a user-friendly mechanism or remote feature if you intend to open and close your awning regularly. Budget considerations are also important, as your home shade protection should offer a balance of cost and quality. Also, ensure installation options are suitable for your home (please speak to a member of our team if you are not sure).

At James Robertshaw, we offer a range of high-quality patio awnings suitable for home and garden use.

Commercial Patio Awnings

For commercial awnings, like those used in bars and restaurants, the emphasis is often on durability, size, and the ability to add custom branding. At James Robertshaw, we can help you with all those things.

The materials used in our commercial patio awnings are of the highest quality, suitable for even the harshest of weather conditions and repeated use over a long period of time. We have products that can provide shade protection over very large areas whilst still being able to retract when required. Our in-house design team can help you customise the product too with bespoke branding and colour matching on materials used.

Our range of high-quality patio sun awnings

There are many reasons you might select a different type of retractable patio awning to cover your outside area. Don’t worry though, we have a range that covers every scenario.

Bobcat | Storbox 250

The Bobcat | Storbox 250, with its design and technology, offers the perfect balance between efficiency, strength and lightness. An elegant design featuring aerodynamic lines that conceal the mechanical installation elements, helps to blend it into the most distinguished applications. The design gives an impeccable appearance of great aesthetic value and high quality. Easy to install and requiring little maintenance, whilst retaining a long life span, a perfect full cassette system, for small spaces.

• The Bobcat | Storbox 250 patio awning is our entry-level, full cassette folding-arm awning system.
• The maximum dimensions are 4,500mm width x 2,500mm projection, providing up to 11.25m2 of shade and coverage.
• The cassette system protects the fabric and the awning mechanism when retracted.

The Bobcat | Storbox 250 is part of our folding arm awnings range.

Puma | Storbox S-300

Superseding our ever-popular old Puma system, the new Puma | Storbox S-300 system is the impressive new kid on the block!

Our technical team have worked hard on the design of this system to obtain the advantages of its predecessor whilst improving an excellent and professional-level product that allows for even easier and quicker installation, comfortable and effective regulation, a wide pitch inclination range within all its positions, and a large 5,500mm width capability, with no need for intermediate supports.

The result is a versatile full cassette which adapts to all spaces and can be operated either manually or via a motor. In all options, the Puma | Storbox S-300 provides a highly durable and resistant appearance.

• The ability to cover a 5,500mm width and a 3,000mm projection without intermediate supports.
• Easy adaptation to manual operation with no need to drill holes in the side cover.
• Can be installed directly on the ceiling or on a universal bracket.

The Puma | Storbox S-300 is part of our folding arm awnings range.

Project case studies:

• Project case study featuring Puma: Kim Eivind Krohn (residential)
• Project case study featuring Puma: Blandford Comptair London
• Project case study featuring Puma: Croma Didsbury

Jaguar | Modulbox 400

Only the finest technical systems and fabrics are used within the design and manufacture of the Jaguar | Modulbox 400 patio awning resulting in an excellent awning product. Top-quality materials and precision craftsmanship guarantee perfect functionality and longevity. This is one of the strongest non-cassette awnings manufactured in the UK.

• The maximum projection is 4,000mm with a maximum width of 6,500mm, with two folding arms.
• Up to 7,000mm width can be achieved in a single width with three folding arms.
• With a few additional components, the JAGUAR can be equipped with additional cross-over arms and a variable valance option

The Jaguar is part of our folding arm awnings range.

Project case studies:

• Project case study featuring Jaguar: George's Dining Room, Worsley
• Project case study featuring Jaguar: The Corn Exchange, Manchester

Panther | Modulbox 400

The Panther | Modulbox 400 system is the strongest patio awning manufactured in the UK! Achieving a wind class loading of 3, even at a 4,000mm projection, the Panther | Modulbox 400 withstands wind speeds up to a staggering 48 kilometers per hour! An elegant yet compact semi-cassette patio awning, the Panther | Modulbox 400 offers all the same advantages as the Jaguar| Modulbox 400, with numerous options available. The textile is protected within the cassette profile, whilst the installation remains the same as the Jaguar| Modulbox 400.

The Panther | Modulbox 400 is the all-purpose sun folding-arm awning thanks to its numerous options such as the option of additional cross-over arms and a variable valance option.

• All-purpose semi-cassette awning for large-area sun screening
• Enable projections of up to 4,000mm and widths of up to 7,000mm, with three folding-arms.
• Offers protection of the textile against dirt and water.

The Panther | Modulbox 400 is part of our folding arm awnings range.

Project case studies:

• Project case study featuring Panther: Alberts Schloss, Liverpool
• Project case study featuring Panther: The Melville
• Project case study featuring Panther: Altrincham Market Cheshire

Cougar | Modulbox 400

Superior quality, superior technical systems and superior design - it is no coincidence that the Cougar | Modulbox 400 is setting new standards in patio awning systems. The strongest full cassette premium patio awning system manufactured in the UK. No other systems can be installed with so many additions! With its innovative design, it is ideal for larger patio areas or design-conscious commercial applications. Both the awning fabric and the components are protected completely against the weather.

• The maximum projection is 4,000mm with a maximum width of 6,500mm, with two folding arms.
• Up to 7,000mm width can be achieved in a single width with three folding arms.
• Can also be equipped with a variable valance option.

The Cougar | Modulbox 400 is part of our folding arm awnings range.