When improving your outdoor space, installing an awning can make a huge difference. It can provide sun protection during the warmer months and shelter during the colder months, not to mention it can add visual interest. With a huge range of outdoor awnings to choose from, it’s easier than ever to find the ideal solution for your home.
One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make is where you’d like to install the awning. Whether you’re looking to enhance your patio area or create an independent living space in your garden, the decision between installing a patio awning and a freestanding awning is crucial. Each type of awning offers its own benefits and it’s important to invest in a design that suits your lifestyle and property layout. This guide will help you navigate both patio awnings and freestanding awnings, ensuring you make the best choice for your outdoor living needs.
Traditional Patio Awnings
A patio awning is attached directly to the exterior of your home, typically over a patio or decking area. This type of outdoor awning is ideal for homeowners who want to extend their living space and you can choose from various styles, including retractable options that allow you to control the amount of shade or sun exposure.
Benefits of Patio Awnings
- Seamless Integration – Patio awnings attach to the side of your house, offering a cohesive look. This not only enhances your home’s exterior design, but can also increase its kerb appeal and potential value.
- Convenience – You can easily extend or retract house awnings based on the weather conditions, especially if they’re motorised. This enables you to quickly adapt to changing weather, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space all year round.
- Energy Efficiency – Patio awnings provide shade that helps reduce energy bills by blocking direct sunlight from entering your home. They can also protect furniture and furnishings from UV rays, potentially prolonging their lifespan.
Considerations of Patio Awnings
- Installation Restrictions – These awnings require a suitable exterior wall and sufficient structural support. This may limit the installation for some properties, particularly those with unique architectural features.
- Limited Placement Options – Since they’re installed on your home, patio awnings aren’t as flexible when it comes to location. This positioning might not be suitable depending on where the sun hits your outdoor space, limiting the awning’s effectiveness.
Modern Freestanding Awnings
Freestanding awnings can be installed anywhere in your garden. This type of awning is perfect for creating a sheltered space that’s separate from your home and it’s popular for poolside areas or outdoor kitchens. Freestanding structures offer versatility and can also be created with retractable fabric awnings, so they can be used all year round.
Benefits of Freestanding Awnings
- Flexibility – Freestanding awnings can be placed anywhere, offering endless possibilities. This allows you to tailor the location to meet specific needs, whether it’s creating a new lounging area or shading an outdoor kitchen space.
- Portability – Some models can be moved or taken down as required, which is ideal for changing seasons or events. If you don’t want to commit to a permanent structure, these awnings offer enhanced adaptability and convenience.
- Versatility – Outdoor awnings have multiple functions and can meet various needs throughout the year. When installing an electric awning, you can retract the awning cover as required to make the most of your garden space.
Considerations of Freestanding Awnings
- Complexity – You may require professional assistance to design a freestanding awning. Experienced designs can recommend the ideal location and structure for your needs, but this can add to installation timeframes.
- Cost – Freestanding awnings are potentially more expensive due to the need for a standalone structure. Often, you will need to build something like a pergola as a base for the awning, contributing to the overall cost.
Making the Right Choice for Your Home
When deciding between a patio awning and a freestanding awning, consider how you use your outdoor space. If you want to extend your living area, a patio awning might be the right choice. However, if you want to cover a different part of your garden, a freestanding awning would likely be better. Additionally, think about aesthetics and how each type of awning complements your home. Regardless of your choice, both awnings can significantly enhance your outdoor living experience by providing comfort and protection from the elements all year round.
Installing an Outdoor Awning this Summer
Hopefully, the information above will help you choose the right awning to transform your outdoor space into a functional and enjoyable part of your home. Regardless of which option you choose, contact our team at Cambridge Awnings to help you install an outdoor awning this summer. You can trust us to design and install a high-quality awning, and over the years we have presented thousands of innovative ideas, styles and colours. We look forward to working with you and bringing your ideas to life.