Stylish and Robust Patio Awnings

Providing a patio awning is installed with a pitch of 14 degrees (or greater) as set out in European Directive EN 13561, then it can be used in rain showers. At this pitch, rainwater will run off the fabric (and not pool on the material) with the added advantage thanks to the exclusive TEXgard coating featured on our materials that it will clean surface dirt from the material ensuring it keeps a clean visual appearance.

Our patio awnings, dependent on model, can be set from 0-45 degrees (0-75cm fall p/m) and our surveyors will confirm at survey that the awning can be installed with the required pitch for rain shower use. Based on our most popular 3m projection, this means a typical mounting height on the façade of 2.8m.

There are many considerations that should be taken into account when selecting your patio awning including use (outdoor dining, internal shade…), property aspect, surrounding factors (trees, fences…), obstructions (soil pipes…) and aesthetics. As a general guideline, it is recommended for the width to add 0.5m to each side of the door/window the awning is covering and for the projection (depth) to select a minimum arm size of 2.5m+, where alfresco dining / entertaining will be taking place.

At survey our experienced surveyors will discuss and run through with you based on your application the optimum size awning for your requirements.

Patio awnings can be safely installed on single storey buildings including extensions & bungalows, however, the majority of the time, specially designed bespoke load bearing brackets will be required. The two most common bespoke brackets are spreader plates and cantilever brackets, also known as gutter brackets.

These brackets spread the fixing load created by the awning down the façade, as the upper brick/blockwork bears no structural strength and position the awning either at the top of the wall (spreader plate) where there is sufficient space or in front of the soffit / gutter (cantilever bracket pictured) where there is limited mounting space above the doors/windows and/or to increase the height of the awning to achieve a sufficient pitch for rain shower use.

When obtaining a initial budget cost (and the reason for requesting a photo of your property) our estimators will advise on whether any bespoke brackets are required to safely install the awning (and overcome any mounting limitations) and at survey, our surveyors will measure and design any bespoke brackets required specifically for your property.

Patio awning installed on ‘spreader’ plates

Patio awning installed on ‘cantilever’ brackets

In the majority of instances, planning permission is not required to install a patio awning on the rear of a residential property, as these fall under permitted development rights. There are some exceptions however, including where your property is located in a conservation, green belt or AONB (area of outstanding natural beauty), your property is listed and where permitted development rights have been removed (usually in historic locations to protect the character of an area). Your awning should not extend over or encroach your neighbours boundary and additionally must not be positioned so that rainwater will run off or drain onto your neighbours boundary either.

As every local authority regulations vary, there is no one rule for all, so if you are unsure it is always recommended to check with the local authority.