Keeping Cool on Even the Hottest Summer Days

by Malcolm Greenhalgh, Founder of Marlow Roller Garage Doors & Awnings

Blocking the sun’s heat, sun awnings keep you, your family, and friends cool on even the hottest of summer days. Water-repellent, our patio awnings also offer shelter from those unexpected and often persistent rain showers. Damaging UV rays are blocked whilst bright light is filtered to eliminate glare. Plus with optional LED under awning lighting and instant infra-red heating, you will create a pleasant atmosphere on your terrace to enjoy all year round.

Whether you live in a house, bungalow or apartment, on a two-storey or single storey façade, in the countryside, inner-city or coast, outdoor retractable sun awnings are designed for every application, requirement and budget extending your living space outside with full protection from the elements.

And with the availability of design and build bespoke brackets, there are virtually no applications in the UK where a retractable sun awning cannot be installed. Retractable sun awnings are usually fixed externally to the ground floor wall of a home, or commercial building, full width above the window and or/entrance door.

When retracted to the fully closed position, sun awnings take up only a small amount of space as the awning arms and fabric retract into a full width cassette for long-term protection of the sun awning against the elements and a neat trim finish when not in use. The awning arms and cassette are available in a number of ‘on-trend’ colours, with anthracite grey being a popular choice along with white.

Most sizes of areas can be covered by a retractable sun awning, with a size maximum of a single awning generally being 6.5M maximum width and a 3.5M maximum projection. For areas wider than 6.5M it is usual to install more than one awning alongside each other.

Installation is completed usually by two technicians with the help of an electrically operated awning lift that moves the awning safely into the install position ready to be attached to the wall. A normal 240v, 13 amp electrical supply is all that is required to power the awning’ tubular motor within the cassette.

Control of a sun awning is by a simple hand-held remote controller that quietly extends the awning out to the required position and retracts it back into its cassette.

Further automatic control options can be added by way of a wind sensor that retracts the awning back into the closed position should the wind rise to an unacceptable level and a sun sensor can also be included to open the awning automatically when the sun is at its fullest.

Integral LED lighting and overhead heaters can also be added to ensure the awning can be enjoyed well into late autumn and early winter. There are many challenges when it comes to textiles for awnings.

They must, of course, serve well as sun protection, but without foregoing quality or colour. The fabrics are, of course, flame-retardant too, and the quality guarantees that the awning lasts well, even when used frequently. Made for a long, safe and beautiful awning life, fabrics for sun protection are well thought-through and are efficient, with over 200 designs to choose from. Retractable sun awnings are a stylish and purposeful addition to our living space that help protect us from the harmful effects of the sun and extend our lifestyle to the outdoors with the minimum of intrusion.

‘’Malcolm and

Highly