Open, Semi-Cassette and Full Cassette Awnings
The cover is what protects your awning for the rest of the year. Here is how the three main designs compare.
When an awning is closed, it spends most of the year rolled up against the wall, exposed to rain, bird droppings, pollen and UV. How well the fabric and arms are protected during that time has a big effect on how long the awning looks good.
Awnings are sold in three broad designs – open, semi-cassette and full cassette – and the choice affects the price, the appearance and the amount of maintenance you will need to do.
The three designs at a glance
The difference lies in how much of the awning is enclosed when it is closed. Every design works the same way when it is open.
- Open awnings – the roller, fabric and arms are exposed. The cheapest design, best fitted under deep eaves, a balcony or a hood
- Semi-cassette awnings – a top cover shields the rolled fabric from above, but the arms and underside remain visible
- Full cassette awnings – a sealed aluminium box encloses the fabric and folded arms completely, with a tidy, streamlined look
Which design suits your home?
If the awning will sit directly under a soffit or a balcony, it is already sheltered from rain and an open awning can be perfectly adequate. On an exposed wall, a semi-cassette is the sensible minimum, and a full cassette gives the best protection.
Full cassettes also suit modern homes and new-builds because they look like a slim, neat box when closed. Many come in a range of RAL frame colours to match window frames, gutters or bifold doors.
What to check on any design
Whatever cover you choose, ask about the arms: their number, the type of spring and whether the elbows are reinforced with belts or chains. Check how the awning is fixed – a full cassette is heavier and needs a solid wall or a suitable bracket system – and confirm what the guarantee covers.
Typical prices by design (4m x 3m, motorised, supplied and fitted)
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Open awning | £1,500–£2,600 |
| Semi-cassette awning | £1,900–£3,500 |
| Full cassette awning | £2,700–£4,800 |
| Full cassette with sensors and LED lights | £3,500–£6,000 |
Indicative UK prices. Larger widths, longer projections and premium fabrics increase the cost of every design.
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Cassette awnings: common questions
Is a full cassette awning worth it?
On an exposed wall, usually yes. It keeps the fabric clean and dry when closed, protects the arms and motor, and tends to extend the life of the whole awning.
Can water still get into a cassette awning?
A cassette closes tightly but is not completely watertight. If you close the awning while the fabric is wet, open it again to dry within a day or two to prevent mildew.
Are cassette awnings heavier?
Yes. The aluminium box adds weight, so the wall and fixings need to be assessed carefully. A good installer will do this as part of the survey.
Can I have a cassette awning on a rendered wall?
Yes, with the right fixings. Rendered and externally insulated walls usually need longer resin anchors or stand-off brackets – see our installation guide.
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