Garden awnings: where they work, where they do not, and what to choose

The three places people want garden shade

Most requests fall into one of three spots, and each points to a different kind of structure.

Against the house: a wall mounted retractable awning is the natural choice

Against a garden room

summer house or outbuilding: an awning can work if the wall is strong enough

Out in the open garden: a freestanding pergola or veranda

not an awning

Fixing to the house

A wall awning over a patio or decking outside the kitchen or living room is the most common garden awning. It gives shade to the table and to the glass doors behind, which also keeps the room cooler on bright afternoons. The wall needs to be sound enough to take the brackets, and the fixing height has to leave headroom under the front bar with enough fall for rain to run off.

Fixing to a garden building

People often ask whether an awning can go on a garden office, summer house or timber outbuilding. It depends entirely on how that building is made. An extended awning pulls on its brackets, and a thin timber or clad wall may not have the strength behind it. Where it does, a smaller awning can make a good shaded sitting area. Where it does not, a freestanding frame is the safer route, and we will say so on survey.

Shade out in the garden

For a seating area away from any wall, the answer is a structure that stands on its own posts. A pergola with a retractable fabric roof gives the same open and close flexibility as an awning. A louvred pergola lets you angle the blades for shade or ventilation and close them against rain. A freestanding veranda gives permanent cover with a glass or polycarbonate roof. Our pergolas page and veranda page cover each of these.

Sun direction and when you use the garden

A south facing garden gets sun through the middle of the day, so shade over the table at lunch is what matters. West facing gardens get low evening sun, where a longer projection, a drop valance or a side screen helps because the sun comes in under the front bar. East facing gardens get morning sun and are often shaded by the house later on. Tell us when you actually sit outside and we will size the awning around that, rather than around the wall width alone.

Fabric, colour and extras

Darker fabrics give deeper shade, lighter ones keep the area brighter under the awning. Pattern and colour are chosen from sample books, and the frame can match your windows in a standard or RAL colour. For evenings, LED lighting and heaters can be added, and an electric motor with a remote makes it far more likely the awning actually gets used, because it takes seconds to put out and bring in.

Looking after a garden awning

Bring the awning in during strong wind and heavy rain, and let it dry out before leaving it rolled up for long periods, because fabric stored damp is the usual cause of mildew. A full cassette housing protects the fabric best when closed. Brush off leaves and bird droppings when you notice them. Our awning fabric cleaning guide goes into more detail.