It’s lovely when the weather warms up and you can finally get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine, but too much sun can be uncomfortable. A patio awning is the perfect compromise, enabling you to open up your home to spend more time in the garden without being exposed to the elements. Attractive and practical, a patio awning is a rewarding asset to have in your home and offers many benefits for homeowners that you can enjoy for years to come.

What Are Patio Awnings?

Before exploring the advantages of patio awnings, it’s helpful to understand exactly what they are and how they work.

A patio awning is a secondary overhead covering made of weather-resistant fabric stretched over a sturdy frame, designed to provide shade and shelter from both sun and rain. These versatile exterior installations extend your usable outdoor space while protecting your home’s interior from excessive solar heat gain.

How Do Patio Awnings Work?

Modern patio awnings function as an effective barrier against the elements, creating comfortable outdoor living areas regardless of weather conditions. The primary mechanism is simple yet highly effective:

• Solar heat control: The external shade provided by awnings blocks sunlight before it reaches your windows and doors, keeping it cooler indoors
• Weather protection: The weather-resistant canopy shields you, your furniture, and outdoor spaces from harsh direct sunshine or unexpected showers
• Flexible coverage: Whether manually operated with a simple crank system or automated with electric motors, awnings can be deployed when needed and retracted when not in use

Key Features of Quality Awnings

At Aquarius Blinds, our premium Markilux awnings incorporate the finest materials and engineering. The fabric components are crafted from durable, UV-resistant acrylic materials that maintain their colour and performance for years. The supporting framework utilises robust aluminium construction for longevity and smooth operation.

Our awnings are available in multiple configurations, from semi-cassette systems that partially protect the fabric when retracted, to full cassette designs that completely enclose and protect the awning components. This engineering excellence ensures your investment provides reliable comfort, protection, and style enhancement for years to come.

Now, let’s explore the specific benefits that make patio awnings such a valuable addition to your home.

7 Benefits of Patio Awnings

1 – Shade from the sun

We all know that too much sunshine can be harmful to our health, particularly for young children, elderly people and pets who can be more vulnerable to the effects of too much heat. Installing a shaded area with a patio awning gives you a reprieve from the intensity of the sunshine when you need it, while still enabling you and your family to enjoy the summer season. And for families with little ones, it provides a safe place for them to play outside without the risk of them spending too much time in the sun.

2 – Protection from all weathers

The British weather is notoriously unpredictable, and while you may be enjoying the sunshine one minute, there’s every chance you could be faced with showers the next. Having somewhere to retreat to when the weather turns means you still get to enjoy your outdoor space during a temperamental downpour. A retractable awning can be a great investment to make opening and closing your awning even quicker and easier, so you’re always protected, no matter the weather.

3 – Enhance the exterior of your property

There are so many styles of awning to choose from, whether you want a classic style or a contemporary, colourful look, there’s an option to suit your property. Patio awnings add something special to your home, while also being functional. They have an understated elegance and can work wonders in improving the value of your home.

4 – A dedicated space for outdoor dining

There’s nothing better than enjoying a meal outside with family and friends during the summer but doing so under shade can make the experience all the more enjoyable. Our awnings can be installed with a host of accessories to create the perfect dining area, including lighting and heating, so you can entertain in luxury and really make the most of your outdoor space.

5 – Work in comfort outside

Now that more of us are working from home, there’s the constant challenge to find a comfortable, quiet place to get work done. With a patio awning, you will have a shaded spot surrounded by peace and quiet, and plenty of natural greenery to inspire you while you work. Plus, the shade overhead will minimise screen glare.

6 – Extend your living space

A canopy is an affordable way of extending your living space without the need to fund a home extension. Whether your awning is over a kitchen or living room, it gives the illusion of more space while also enhancing the kerb appeal of your property. What’s more, any outdoor furniture you have will be protected against the sun and rain too, making sure it lasts as long as possible and stays in the best condition.

7 – Save on energy

Air conditioning units and fans may be effective when the weather warms up but they also use a lot of energy and can be expensive to run. A well-placed awning protects your home from the full force of the sunshine, so the interior doesn’t heat up as much. This keeps your home at a more comfortable temperature and reduces the need for A/C and other cooling devices, which ultimately saves on your energy use.

A flexible solution

Whether it’s for aesthetic purposes, to extend the living space in your home or to help you make better use of your outdoor space, a patio awning is a practical and flexible solution that can be tailored to your needs. From the size, colour and pattern of the awning to manual or motorised models, there are awnings to suit every type of property, from modern new builds to traditional style buildings.

We offer a wide range of patio awnings to choose from, from the leading names in the industry. To book a consultation or if you have any questions about the products we offer, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.