Conservatory awnings: shading the roof from the outside
A conservatory with a glass roof can become too warm to use on a bright afternoon. The usual first response is internal roof blinds, and they help with glare, but the sun has already passed through the glass by the time it reaches them. An external conservatory awning is a fabric system that runs on guide rails above the roof glazing, so the shading happens before the sunlight reaches the glass. It is a type of awning we supply and fit, and this page explains when it makes sense.
Inside blinds versus outside shading
Internal blinds cut glare and make the room feel softer, but the heat from the sun is already inside the glass and is absorbed by the blind and the air around it. External shading intercepts the sun before it reaches the roof, so far less warmth gets in to begin with. That is the whole reason external systems exist, and it is why people who already have internal blinds still find the room too hot.
How the system is put together
An external conservatory awning is a fabric panel stored in a cassette at one end and run along side rails fixed above the glazing. It extends across the roof when shade is needed and retracts back into its housing when it is not. Because it sits outside, it is motorised rather than hand operated.
- Protective cassette that houses the fabric when retracted
- Guide rails that keep the fabric tensioned in a breeze
- Electric motor with remote control
- Optional sun sensor to extend automatically on bright days
- Optional wind and rain sensors to retract when conditions turn
What we check on survey
The conservatory itself decides whether this is sensible. We look at how the rails can be fixed, what the roof frame is made of and its condition, the pitch, and whether the building catches strong wind. Older conservatories sometimes have roof frames that we would not want to load with brackets, and in that case we will say so.
- Roof frame material and condition
- Roof pitch and overall size
- Wind exposure of the garden
- Access for fitting and future cleaning
- Where power can be run for the motor
Questions people ask us about this
Is an external awning better than internal conservatory blinds for heat?
For heat, shading outside the glass works better because the sun is stopped before it enters. Internal blinds still help with glare and privacy, and some people keep both.
Can a conservatory awning stay out in the wind?
It should be retracted in strong wind. A wind sensor can do this automatically so you do not need to be at home.
Will it fit my conservatory?
That depends on the roof frame, pitch and size, which is why we survey before quoting. We will tell you plainly if your conservatory is not suitable.
Is there a warranty?
Our awning range carries a warranty of up to 10 years, as stated across the site.
Fabric choice matters more than colour
The fabric is the part doing the work. Our awning fabrics come from leading European mills, are UV stabilised and water repellent, and there are hundreds of colours. Lighter shades reflect more sun, darker shades cut more glare, and some weaves let a little light through so the room does not feel shut in. We bring samples to the survey so you can see them against your own glass.
When an awning is not the answer
If the conservatory roof is failing, leaking or you want to use the room through winter, shading will not solve that. Some owners in that position look instead at replacing the conservatory roof or at a glass room, both of which are covered in our other guides. An awning is a shading product for a sound conservatory that overheats; it is not a repair.
- Roof leaks or failing seals, repair or replace the roof first
- Cold in winter, shading does not add warmth
- Frame in poor condition, do not load it with brackets
In short
External conservatory awnings shade the glass from outside, which keeps far more heat out than internal blinds, provided the conservatory frame is sound.
Conservatory too hot to use?
We will check whether your roof can take an external awning and show you fabric samples in the room itself. Call 0114 312 3771 or request a survey.