Awning Quotes & Guides
Retractable patio awnings, window canopies and shop awnings – plus plain-English guides to sizes, fabrics, costs and fitting.
- Retractable patio awnings
- Electric and cassette awnings
- Window and balcony awnings
- Shop and café awnings
- Re-covering and repairs
- Wind and sun sensors
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Shade for British summers
An awning is one of the simplest ways to get more use from a patio, balcony or shopfront. Open it on a hot afternoon and you have instant shade; wind it away and the garden and the rooms behind get all the daylight back. With summers getting warmer, awnings are also an effective way to stop sunny rooms from overheating.
Awnings range from simple manual models to motorised cassette awnings with wind sensors and lighting, and the right choice depends on your wall, your patio and how you live. The guides below walk you through every decision – from size and fabric to fitting, planning and aftercare – so you know exactly what to ask for when you compare quotes.
Awning buying guides
Fifteen guides covering every step, from choosing an awning to keeping it in good shape.
Choosing an awning
Retractable Patio Awnings: A Complete Guide
How folding-arm awnings work, what to look for in the frame and fabric, and whether one suits your patio.
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Electric vs Manual Awnings
Hand crank or motor? The pros, cons and running costs of each, and what you need for an electric awning.
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Open, Semi-Cassette and Full Cassette Awnings
What the three awning designs mean, how much protection each gives and which suits your wall.
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What Size Awning Do I Need?
How to work out the width, projection and fitting height so the shade lands where you actually sit.
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Awning Fabrics and Colours
Acrylic, polyester or PVC? How fabric choice affects fading, rain resistance, heat and how long the awning looks good.
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Awnings vs Pergolas, Parasols and Shade Sails
Compare the main ways to shade a garden on cost, rain protection, wind resistance and how they look.
Read the guide →Window Awnings and Canopies to Keep Your Home Cool
Drop-arm awnings, Dutch canopies and external blinds that stop sunshine heating up rooms in summer.
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Balcony Awnings for Flats and Apartments
Shading a balcony or roof terrace – compact awnings, side screens, freeholder consent and fixing options.
Read the guide →Costs and buying
How Much Does an Awning Cost in the UK?
Realistic supply-and-fit prices for manual, electric and cassette awnings, and what pushes the price up.
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How to Choose an Awning Installer and Compare Quotes
The questions to ask, what a good quote includes and the warning signs to watch for.
Read the guide →Installation and rules
Awning Installation: What to Expect
From the survey to the brackets and power supply – how an awning is fitted to brick, render or roof timbers.
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Do You Need Planning Permission for an Awning?
When awnings need permission – listed buildings, conservation areas, flats and shops – and when they do not.
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Shop and Café Awnings
Branded shopfront and café awnings, outdoor seating cover, pavement rules and what commercial installers quote for.
Read the guide →Care and weather
Awnings in Wind and Rain: Sensors and Safe Use
How much wind an awning can take, what wind classes mean and how sensors close it before damage is done.
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Awning Maintenance, Cleaning and Repairs
How to clean the fabric, care for the arms and motor, prepare for winter and when to re-cover or repair.
Read the guide →Awning or something else?
How an awning compares with the other common ways of shading a 4m x 3m patio. See our awnings vs pergolas guide for the detail.
| Option | Shade | Rain | Wind | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retractable awning | Excellent | Light showers only | Close in strong wind | £900–£6,500 |
| Louvred pergola | Excellent | Good when closed | Good | £7,000–£15,000 |
| Shade sail | Good | Limited | Needs strong anchors | £800–£2,500 |
| Parasol | Small area | Limited | Poor | £200–£900 |
Typical awning prices in the UK
Supply-and-fit prices including VAT. For a full breakdown, read how much an awning costs.
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Manual retractable patio awning, 3m (supplied and fitted) | £900–£1,700 |
| Electric semi-cassette awning, 4m x 3m | £1,900–£3,500 |
| Electric full cassette awning, 6m x 3.5m | £3,800–£6,500 |
| Window awning or Dutch canopy, per window | £350–£1,000 |
| Branded shop or café awning, 4m | £2,000–£4,500 |
| Re-covering an existing awning with new fabric | £400–£1,100 |
Indicative UK prices. Wall type, access, electrical work and your location all affect the final quote.
Awnings: frequently asked questions
How much does a patio awning cost in the UK?
A quality manual awning around 3m wide typically costs £900–£1,700 supplied and fitted, while a motorised 4m semi-cassette awning is usually £1,900–£3,500. Large full cassette awnings with sensors can cost £5,000 or more.
Do I need planning permission for an awning?
A retractable awning on the back of a house usually does not need planning permission. Listed buildings, some conservation areas, flats and commercial premises are exceptions, so check with your council if any apply.
How long do awnings last?
A good frame lasts 15 years or more. Quality acrylic fabric typically lasts 8–12 years, and can be replaced without changing the frame.
Can awnings be used in the rain?
Most awnings shed light showers if they are pitched steeply enough, but they should be closed in heavy rain and strong wind. Sensors can do this automatically on electric awnings.
Which way should an awning face?
Awnings are most useful on south, south-west and west-facing walls, where the sun reaches the patio for most of the afternoon and evening.
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