Awnings

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Awnings are predominantly a summer cover designed to greatly reduce or eliminate the effects of solar energy (sunlight).  The main types of awnings are pull down awnings, pivot awnings, roll out awnings, patio awnings and hood awnings with each having a specific purpose.

 

PULL DOWN AWNINGS

Pull down style awnings are window hugging and sit very close to the building structure. The most popular of the pull down awnings is the canvas Auto Awning.  At ground level it is a simple, easy to use awning that is very effective and to top it off is great value for money.  It is a very robust awning and exceptionally effective in high wind areas.  Not good for second floor level or motorisation.
 
Common variations of the Auto Awning are the Fixed Guide, Spring Roller, Crank Handle and Wire Guide.  These variations have strengths and weaknesses depending on required application and are often used in patio areas.  They are better suited to low to moderate wind areas and because they can be motorised it makes them ideal for second storey and other difficult applications.

 

PIVOT AWNINGS

Pivot awnings create a pseudo canopy or can be rotated to almost 180 degrees.  They are very good if you want to shade the window and retain a full uninterrupted view at the same time.  The pivot arm of the awning performs as a radius of a vertical half circle.  Pivot awnings are very good in high wind areas, great for all around use and are operated with either a crank handle or motor.

 

ROLL OUT AWNINGS

Roll out awnings are like a retractable verandah and are available in a number of different styles. The most common style is the folding arm awnings.  These awnings are great for deck and patio cover and depending on frame and arm quality can be used in moderate wind areas.  When motorised they are generally fitted with a motion sensor so that the awning automatically retracts in excessive windy conditions.  Domestic use folding arm awnings are commonly made up to 6 metres wide x 3.5 metre projection.  Commercial use folding arm awnings can exceed those dimensions with almost limitless width restrictions and up to 4 metre projection.
 
Other styles of rollout awnings are Fabric Tension Systems (Giotto) and the Pleated Patio System (Pacchetto).  These styles of awnings are generally fitted to an existing frame or above skylights and are always motorised.

 


PIVOT AWNINGS



FOLDING ARM AWNINGS

  

 

ZIPTRAK(R) PATIO BLINDS

Patio awnings are a straight drop awning fitted around the perimeter of a covered in patio area to protect against the elements.  The modern trend is for patio blinds to be fitted with a screen mesh rather than the clear PVC.  Common styles of patio blinds are fabric tension systems - (Ziptrak®), Rope and Pulley, Wire Guide and Crank Handle.  The Ziptrak® system can be made up to 6 metres wide and 3 metres high as a spring tensioned blind operated by hand but as with the other systems they can be motorised.

 

 

HOOD AWNINGS

Hood awnings are commonly used over doorways as a pseudo porch but are also commonly used on small to medium width windows for a decorative look.  Hood awnings are low on the practical purpose scale but high on the decorative scale.  Common styles of canvas hood awnings are Dutch Hood, Bow, Eliptical, Eyelid, French Canopy and Walkway Canopy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CARBOLITE® 

This awning is a modern style fixed position awning that is constructed from aluminium frame with tinted cellular poly-carbon sheeting.  The Carbolite® awning can project up to 1.6 metres without pole supports and is almost limitless in width.  The awning can be finished with a bullnose curve or as a straight flat section.  The pitch of the awning is adjustable to suit most applications.