Create a More Functional Outdoor Space With Awnings
At Blinds Awnings Whitstable, we help homeowners and business owners find custom awnings that combine practicality with visual appeal.
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Range of Awnings from Blinds Awnings Whitstable
An awning is a secondary, roof-like covering you can attach to your building’s exterior wall to provide shade, reduce heat, and protect that space from the weather.
Therefore, whether you want to create a comfortable shaded area for outdoor dining, protect your patio from intense sunlight, or add shelter from light rain, we have practical and stylish awnings for you.
With extensive experience serving Whitstable, Herne Bay, Tankerton, Faversham, Canterbury, and the surrounding areas, we understand the local climate and can recommend solutions that perform reliably in coastal conditions.
Book your free survey today and receive expert advice on the best awning solution for your outdoor space.
Choose Your Awnings
Retractable Awnings for Balcony
These are specifically engineered to fit the narrower and more exposed footprints of condos, apartments, or residential balconies. They don’t take up any precious balcony floor space with bulky umbrella braces or poles, but simply extend forward to create an overhead shelter instantly.
When closed, it folds completely flat against the building wall, making it easier to comply with regulations on structural modifications. During strong wind gusts, you can retract the awning to prevent the frame from bending or tearing away.
Bobcat Awnings
This is a highly popular, premium entry-level full-cassette retractable awning model. This is famous for its structural strength and aerodynamics, and they have an ultra-clean look when closed.
With its fully enclosed cassette housing, mechanical arms, and fabric, it can be completely sealed inside a weatherproof aluminium box when you roll it away. This feature protects it from bird droppings, dirt, UV rays, and rain.
It is easier to operate with Somfy RTS motors and wireless remote controls. You can adjust the pitch between 15° and 66° to create more shade and even block low evening sunlight.
Butterfly Awnings
These are freestanding, double-sided retractable systems built on a central support frame resembling a goalpost.
Unlike traditional awnings, they do not require attachment to a structural wall; instead, they rely on surface base plates, weighted ballasts, or ground-submerged posts. A central roller tube and single gearbox enable both sides to extend and retract simultaneously via a manual crank or electric remote control.
The canopies are usually constructed from high-grade, waterproof, and UV-blocking materials like vinyl, PVC, or acrylic fabric. A protective powder-coated top hood bridges the gap between the two sides to completely prevent rainwater from seeping down the centre line.
Motorised Awnings
A motorised awning is an electric, retractable sunshade system that extends and retracts automatically. It uses an integrated tubular motor and eliminates the need for manual hand cranking. These systems allow users to control their outdoor shade with the push of a button.
Handheld remotes allow you to adjust the coverage from anywhere on your patio or lawn. Stationary internal or external switches provide a dedicated operation point.
If you integrate it with smart home hubs, you can schedule deployment or manage the awning remotely via mobile apps. High-end models connect to virtual assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for hands-free control.
Pergoline Awnings
A pergola awning is a heavy-duty hybrid shade structure that combines the architectural frame of a permanent pergola with the flexible fabric canopy of a retractable awning.
Unlike classic wall-mounted folding arm awnings that can catch the wind like a sail, a pergola awning deploys its fabric along fixed lateral tracks supported by sturdy front posts bolted to the ground.
This design provides maximum stability and allows it to shade large outdoor areas while withstanding much harsher weather conditions. This is engineered to withstand much higher wind speeds than standard awnings.
Puma Awnings
A Puma awning is a premium, compact full-cassette retractable folding-arm awning engineered primarily for large residential gardens and light commercial properties.
The defining trait of a Puma awning is its aerodynamic protective shell. When the awning is fully retracted, the entire fabric canopy and the mechanical folding arms roll completely into a tightly sealed aluminium casing, shielding all functional parts from harsh weather, debris, and rot.
A single unit typically supports a maximum projection of 3.0 metres, making it broad enough to shelter expansive patio decks or restaurant seating areas.
Retractable Awning for Patios
A retractable awning for patios is a versatile outdoor shading system mounted directly to an exterior wall, roofline, or soffit that can extend to provide instant climate protection and fold away completely when not in use.
These budget-friendly options deploy via a hand-crank detachable lever hooked into a gearbox. They are easy to install as they require zero electrical wiring.
Unlike permanent patio covers or gazebos, retractable awnings give you complete control over your outdoor space, allowing you to maximise shade on hot afternoons or pull the canvas back to enjoy full sunlight and starry evenings.
Tiger Awnings
A Tiger awning is an ultra-heavy-duty, premium full-cassette retractable folding-arm awning. It is widely considered the heavy-duty "big brother" to the more compact Puma system, engineered specifically to cover large residential patios, balconies, and sprawling commercial storefronts, such as pubs, hotels, and restaurants.
The defining feature of the Tiger awning is its heavy-duty, full-cassette, quadrilateral design. When fully closed, the fabric and high-strength mechanical components seal seamlessly into a flush, aerodynamic aluminium casing.
This is built specifically for grand scale. A single Tiger framework spans massive footprints with available configurations reaching up to 6.0 metres in width and an expansive outward projection of up to 4.0 metres.
Awnings Our Customers Love Using
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I decide which awning type suits my outdoor space best?
Choosing the perfect awning comes down to how your outdoor space is oriented and how you plan to use it. For example, if you need a flexible shade that retracts when you want the sun, you can go for a retractable awning. Talk to our experts about the awning's main purpose, and they will help you choose one.
2. What site factors will affect performance and lifespan?
Sun exposure, local wind patterns, moisture levels, and nearby vegetation are the primary site factors that determine how well an awning performs and how long it lasts. Yes, the quality of the engineering matters, but the physical environment at the installation site heavily influences the type of wear and tear the structure will face.
3. Do awnings add value to my property?
Yes, high-quality awnings add tangible value to your property by expanding usable living space, enhancing aesthetic appeal, and reducing monthly utility bills. An awning is not a simple decoration; it is an alternative to building a permanent home addition.
4. How do I maintain an awning to maximise its life?
The absolute golden rule of awning maintenance is never to roll it up while it is wet. If you trap moisture inside a retracted awning, it creates a dark, stagnant microclimate that can cause mould, rot, and permanent fabric damage. If you focus on cleaning, hardware care, and weather protection, you effectively prolong the awning's life.