Our ground floor temperature this year has been close to intolerable on occasions. Used a temporary awning from a neighbour on 1 occasion and was impressed with the temperature drop, which was up to 8 degrees. So, looking at having 2 installed. One over the back living room window and one over the dining room window/patio doors.
Can’t have, and don’t want, one great big long thing as there’s a large bathroom drain pipe in the way. Trying to avoid anything which looks too much like a grocers shop but still want it to be waterproof and to retract to a presumably waterproof cassette housing? I’m inclined towards mechanical rather than electrical with mechanical back up.
Anybody have any experience or knowledge to impart? Things to look out for or avoid? Images might be helpful too although I’m not one for posting too much personal imagery so will fully understand if people don’t wish to.
I only know 2 people who have them, over rear patio/deck areas, one in Illinois the other in the Algarve. Both have to be taken in when the breeze gets up; the one in the Algarve has an anemometer and I think is automatically retracted.
Parents have one outside lounge and French windows over a patio area. Remote controlled. Does keep the sun off but reduces air flow so can feel stuffy. Has an automatic retract if the wind is too strong.
In our case a reduction in air flow might be welcome as our garden can be a wind trap. The 2 votes so far then are for automatic retraction but I’m inclined to avoid if only because the sunny days we’ve had so far this year are almost all airless.
Having looked at these a few years ago, my questions ran:
1- how would they work? i.e. south facing, and the high sun isn’t the issue for me (as that’s way above the window line), the main issues being to defeat the low-sun months – bearing in mind an awning doesn’t offer much adjustment, unlike a large garden parasol.
2- material – needs to complement the house/surroundings and, unquestionably, be ‘stable’ as to UV and the wet.
3- wind - I’d suggest be very careful (see 4 also), as I found even a modest breeze can move/tip over a well-secured (so I thought) 2.75M circumference garden parasol. The ones I looked at had a protrusion of 3m+ from the house. That’s quite a sail!
4- how to fix to building/the aesthetic - some protrude quite a bit, some are best installed with bungalow brackets, being mindful if you are securing to cavity/solid walls?
I have cavities (which aren’t strong - already have expansion cracks nearby) and was wary of even using the bungalow brackets. Plus, of course, you need power for the electrics.
5- cost - I was quoted >£5k for ~4M width (IIRC) – I’m still thinking, as there are alternatives which may be better e.g. some form of temporary gazebo.
1 - We’re NW facing at the back so the sun comes round after midday and during the Summer it’s now unbearable. Low Winter sun is an issue for me outdoors but much less so in the garden as we are a metre and a half below the neighbours to the side of us and with large amounts of greenery which soon hides it.
2 - yup, I’m looking for similar.
3 - I’m thinking 3m is spot on. There is potential for it to be a sail but the overwhelming number of heatwave days we’ve had this year have seen next to nothing as far as wind is concerned.
4 -I’ll be getting someone else to fix it to the external walls. I’m very much shying away from the electronic options.
5 - I’ve a local company whose quality of work is impeccable and they’re quoting me half of that for the product and the installation.
I also haven’t ruled out other options but this does look the best of a bad bunch. We will also be adding external shutters and possibly interval blinds.
I would recommend having electric opening/closing, as my house had an old nylon awning when I arrived, and that would fall forward due to its weight, but was a bugger to push back uphill with the pole. Perhaps ask to see some of their other installations? Nowadays, traders seem to like to keep a photo library of their installs.
A week ago I ordered a 5.4m wide awning for the back of my house, as this summer I’ve only sat outside up to 8 am and when it cools off late evening. I went for electric opening/closing and a wind sensor which triggers automated closing.
I can’t give you experience yet of it in use, but I’m hoping that in future hot summers I’ll be able to sit outside for longer periods. With two Irish parents I have skin that can cause snow blindness in people nearby, so I need to be careful in direct sun.
Firstly to lower downstairs temperature by 5 to 8 degrees in heatwaves. Have now seen that can be achieved and I’m signed up for anything which does that.
Secondly, to be able to sit out from around 11am onwards in such weather and be in shade. Currently have to wait until around 4pm for the garden to provide sufficient shade that I can put a chair into it and sit with a book, an iPad Pro and a cold drink.
I’m albino so skin protection is hugely important. I cba with sun lotions so I tend to have a lot of thin cardigan or quarter zip items. Looks odd in 90 degrees but needs must.
Must say that despite the extra cost my dial is being moved towards electric and possibly the wind retraction thing.
mmm. the angle of the blades should be specifically designed for your location etc. they are incredibly useful for lowering the temp gain in the building if designed properly.
Often for a patio or seating area a mesh over a structure is often best so that that airflow is maintained. Think rush mats over a pergola as in Greek islands etc.
That will be a prime purpose for me. Not necessarily sitting out under it.
We’ve a patio which extends from the dining room window down the garden to some decking which we’re about to rip out. Would have a smaller retractable there but it would be enough to give 2 or 3 more hours shade as the sun comes around the house early afternoon.
If the main issue is solar gain through the windows the solar control film is a good option. Where I used to work we added the film and got approx 6 deg C drop internally on westerly windows.
I had contemplated that as I had some as a reasonable adjustment in the workplace. It’s incredibly cost effective compared to retractable awnings but the issue for me is the likely minimum 20% reduction in incoming light. My albinism makes me very sensitive to light but I do need enough of it in the first place just to minimise collisions etc.
Mike, I don’t know where you are based but a Swiss company SilentGlis do a range of very sophisticated blinds that manage heat gain and light. They are in the UK and they pride themselves on the technology of their fabric. Not the cheapest but many galleries use them because of their quality. Their blinds, and others I’m sure, can control heat gain and translucence.
Film is fine short term but can get scratched etc and will deteriorate. It is a pain to replace.
We have just started contemplating similar, and will also consider external shutters ( openable from inside). A low cost temporary option can be a bamboo roll-up screen hung simply on hooks - a bit fiddly, but low cost and apparently effective, could be worth having if awning or shutters for any reason not feasible.
Based on our campervan experience, one thing to check is wind stability (campervan one has dropdown corner poles, and needs guy lines to hold secure if much more than a gentle breeze.) One I looked at briefly online for home had an wind sensor with automatic retract - but that wouldn’t be great on very sunny but windy days.