A patio awning is one of those things people put off for years and then wonder why they waited. Here is what I would want to know before buying one for an Irish garden.
Measure the space you actually use
Don’t start with the wall. Start with the table and chairs. Put them where you sit, pull the chairs out like you would at dinner, and measure that. The awning should cover that area with a bit to spare, because the sun comes in from the side in the evening.
Think about the wall before the fabric
An awning is held by the wall, so the wall matters more than the colour. Block or concrete is easy. Timber cladding, external insulation or a soffit in the way all need a different bracket. A proper site survey sorts this out before anything is ordered.
Motor or handle?
A handle is fine for a small awning. For anything wider, a motor with a remote makes the difference between using it every sunny hour and leaving it closed because it is a hassle. A wind sensor is worth adding – it closes the awning on its own when it gets gusty, which in Ireland happens a lot.
Choose a fabric you will still like in five years
Plain greys, creams and soft stripes, like the one in the photo, age well and suit most houses. Bright colours look great on day one but fade in your eyes faster than in the sun.
If you are weighing up options, you can compare models of retractable awnings in Ireland and book a free measure before you decide.
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