Awnings vs Pergolas, Parasols and Shade Sails
There is more than one way to shade a patio. Here is how the main options compare for British gardens.
Before deciding on an awning, it is worth looking at the alternatives. Each option solves a slightly different problem: some are about instant, movable shade, others about creating an outdoor room you can use in light rain or into the evening.
The right answer depends on your budget, how exposed the garden is, whether you want shelter from rain as well as sun, and how much light you are willing to lose from the rooms behind.
The main options compared
Here is how the four most common shade solutions stack up for a typical patio.
- Retractable awning – shade exactly when you want it and full daylight when you do not. Must be closed in strong wind and heavy rain
- Louvred or bioclimatic pergola – a free-standing or wall-mounted aluminium frame with adjustable roof blades. Rainproof when closed, stable in wind, but the most expensive option
- Timber pergola – an attractive frame for climbing plants that gives dappled shade. Little rain protection unless a cover is added
- Shade sails – tensioned fabric between posts or walls. Striking and good value for large areas, but needs strong anchor points and is usually taken down in winter
- Parasols – flexible and cheap, but limited in coverage and easily caught by the wind
When an awning is the better choice
Choose an awning when you want shade on a patio right against the house, do not want a permanent structure blocking light from the kitchen or living room, and prefer a cost well below that of a pergola. Because it is fixed to the wall, it leaves the patio floor clear of posts.
When a pergola or veranda is the better choice
If you want to sit out in light rain, leave the cover in place all season or use the space in breezy weather, a louvred pergola or glass veranda is the more robust option. They can include lighting, heaters and side screens to create a true outdoor room. They are more likely to need planning permission, so check before ordering.
Typical costs for shading a 4m x 3m patio
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Quality parasol with heavy base | £200–£900 |
| Shade sail with posts, supplied and fitted | £800–£2,500 |
| Motorised retractable awning, supplied and fitted | £1,900–£3,500 |
| Timber pergola, supplied and fitted | £1,500–£4,000 |
| Aluminium louvred pergola, supplied and fitted | £7,000–£15,000 |
Indicative UK prices. Groundworks, foundations for posts and electrical work can add significantly to pergola and shade sail projects.
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Awnings vs pergolas: common questions
Is an awning cheaper than a pergola?
In most cases, yes. A good motorised awning typically costs a fraction of an aluminium louvred pergola of a similar size.
Which is best for rain – an awning or a pergola?
A louvred pergola with closed blades or a glass veranda gives real rain protection. Awnings are designed primarily for sun and should be closed in heavy rain.
Do shade sails work in the UK?
Yes, but they need very strong fixing points, should be tensioned properly to shed rain and are usually removed over winter to protect them from storms.
Can I combine an awning with a pergola?
Yes. Some systems include a retractable fabric roof running on a pergola frame, giving the open feel of an awning with the stability of posts.
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