Summer in the UK can be unpredictable, but when the sun does shine, most of us want to make the most of our outdoor spaces. A good awning helps you to enjoy the sun without the discomfort, giving you shade when it’s too hot, shelter, and a more comfortable space to relax or entertain.
If you’re thinking about adding one to your home, you’ve probably got questions: Should you go manual or electric? Fixed or retractable? What size do you actually need? Here are some practical tips and awning ideas to help you choose the right one for your space.
Manual or Electric – What’s Better?
The first thing you’ll need to decide is how you want to operate your awning.Here you have two options, manual or electric.
Manual awnings use a simple winding handle. They’re cheaper upfront and have fewer parts that can break. Perfect if you want to keep costs down.
Electric awnings extend and retract at the push of a button. They cost more, but if you’ve got a large awning, they’re worth every penny. Many connect to your phone, so you can close them from inside when the weather changes.
Fixed vs Retractable: Which Works Better?
This really comes down to how you use your garden.
Fixed awnings remain in place all year round. They’re brilliant over patios where you always want coverage, and they can handle stronger winds than retractable ones. The downside? They’re always there, which might not suit every garden or every season.
Retractable awnings fold away completely when you don’t need them. Perfect if you want flexibility. For most homes, retractable wins hands down. Our weather changes too quickly to commit to permanent shade.
Take a look at retractable awnings from Artistic Blinds
Different Types for Different Spots
Want to cover your outdoor table? Try a garden canopy
If you love eating outside or hosting during the summer, a garden canopy gives you a large, solid area of shade. It’s ideal for covering an outdoor dining table, barbecue area, or seating space, especially in more open gardens where there’s not much natural cover.
Some models come with optional side panels, which are handy for wind protection and privacy if you’re overlooked by neighbours.
Explore garden canopy awnings from Artistic Blinds
No wall to attach it to? Use a freestanding awning
Not every outdoor spot is connected to your house. If you want shade over a play area, pool, or garden bench that’s away from the building, a freestanding awning gives you coverage wherever you need it.
Because it doesn’t need to be mounted on a wall, it’s also a great solution for renters or homes with conservatories, bungalows, or glass walls that can’t support a fixed frame.
See freestanding awning options.
Too hot in the conservatory? Use a roof awning outside
If your conservatory turns into a sauna in the summer, the best way to cool it down is by blocking the sun before it hits the glass. A roof-mounted external awning sits on top of the conservatory and stops heat build-up before it starts.
It’s much more effective than blinds inside, and it helps prevent fading on furniture or floors too.
View conservatory roof awnings from Artistic Blinds.
Want to add charm to your windows? Look at Dutch canopies
A Dutch-style canopy is the small curved awning you often see above shop windows or front doors. On a house, it adds a nice decorative touch, especially above ground-floor windows or patio doors. It also offers decent shade for windows that get a lot of direct sun.
You can customise the fabric and frame colour to match your windows or garden décor.
Check out Dutch canopies at Artistic Blinds.
Quick comparison: Which type of awning suits your space?
Here’s a simple breakdown to help you compare the different options:
| Awning Type | Best For | Why Choose It |
| Retractable | Patios and back gardens | Tucks away neatly, use only when needed |
| Garden canopy | Outdoor dining and entertaining areas | Gives more coverage, stable structure, can add side panels |
| Freestanding | Open garden spaces or rented homes | Doesn’t need a wall, easy to position where you want it |
| Conservatory roof awning | Glass rooms that overheat in summer | Blocks sun from outside, keeps conservatory cooler |
| Dutch canopy | Front windows, patio doors | Decorative touch, ideal for smaller shaded areas |
| Motorised | Anyone who wants convenience and comfort | Effortless operation, good for regular use, can include lights |
Getting the Size Right for Your Patio
Patio awnings need to be big enough to actually work. Too small, and you’re constantly moving chairs to stay in the shade. Too big and they dominate your garden or annoy the neighbours.
Measure your patio furniture in its usual arrangement, then add at least a metre on all sides. You want proper coverage, not just a token bit of shade. A 4-metre awning works well for most standard patios, whilst larger entertaining areas need 5-6 metres.
Think about how you actually use your space. If you always put the table in the same spot, measure from there. If you move furniture around for different occasions, you’ll need broader coverage.
Consider your neighbours too. A massive awning might shade their garden or block their view, which could cause problems. Most residential disputes about awnings come down to size and positioning, so it’s worth having a chat before you buy.
Choosing Fabric That Lasts
The fabric you choose makes a big difference to how your awning performs and how long it lasts.
Acrylic fabrics cost more but they’re worth it. They don’t fade much, water runs off them nicely, and they won’t go mouldy in our damp climate.
Polyester is cheaper but won’t last as long. It’s fine if you’ll only use your awning occasionally, but it fades quicker and isn’t as good with water. If you’re planning regular use, spend the extra on acrylic.
For colours, light ones bounce heat away but show every speck of dirt. Dark colours hide marks but soak up more heat. Stripes are popular because they hide minor stains while still looking smart.
Stick with neutral colours like cream, beige, or soft grey – they go with anything and won’t look dated in a few years. Bold colours can look great but might clash if you change your garden furniture later.
Getting More Use Out of Your Awning
Here’s a clever trick: add some outdoor heating under your awning and you’ll be using it well into October, maybe even on nice winter days.
Patio heaters work really well under awnings because the overhead cover traps and pushes the heat downwards. You’ll be amazed how much warmer it feels just having something over your head, even before you turn any heaters on.
Infrared heaters work best – put them around the edges of your covered area. Wall-mounted ones are great because they don’t take up space on the ground, but free-standing heaters give you more options (though you’ll need somewhere to store them when they’re not being used).
It’s a simple way to turn your awning from a summer-only thing into something you can enjoy for most of the year.
Keeping Your Awning in Good Shape
Looking after your awning isn’t complicated – just a few simple things will keep it working well for years:
Give it a monthly brush down during summer to get rid of leaves and bits. For a proper clean, just use washing-up liquid and warm water. Don’t use a pressure washer though as it can damage the waterproof coating.
Always let it dry before closing it up. If the weather suddenly turns and you have to close a damp awning, open it again as soon as you can. Trapped moisture leads to mould and nasty smells that are really hard to get rid of.
Once a year, give the moving parts a drop of oil – just light machine oil on the pivot points and rails. Most awning problems happen because people forget to do this simple bit of maintenance.
Check the fixings each spring. Look for loose screws, cracks, or anything that’s moved. Spotting problems early saves you from expensive repairs down the line.
That’s really all there is to it – a bit of basic care goes a long way.
Mistakes That Cost You Money
Here are the main things that catch people out:
Going for the cheapest option. Those bargain awnings might look tempting, but they often fall apart in our weather, leaving you with repair bills and a lot of frustration. It’s better to spend a bit more upfront than replace the whole thing in two years.
Getting the size wrong. That 3-metre awning looks fine in the showroom, but it won’t properly cover your 6-seater table. Measure your space properly – you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle later.
Ignoring the wind direction. Most of our damaging winds come from the southwest, so think about where you’re putting your awning. A good installer will help you work this out.
Forgetting about autumn. When the leaves start falling heavily, close your retractable awning. Leaves can jam the mechanism and stain the fabric if they sit there wet.
The golden rule? Measure twice, buy once, and don’t cut corners on quality or installation.
Is It Worth It?
Absolutely. A good awning transforms your garden from somewhere you occasionally glance at into a space you actually want to spend time in.
With our unpredictable weather, having something you can put up when it’s sunny and pack away when it’s not just makes sense.
Just make sure you measure properly and get it installed professionally. Your future self will thank you when you’re sitting outside on those lovely summer evenings, completely comfortable.
Ready to transform your outdoor space? Browse Artistic Blinds’ range of awnings and find the perfect solution for your garden. From retractable patio awnings to stylish Dutch canopies, we’ve got options to suit every home and budget.
