Click one of the questions below for a detailed answer.

• Can I have the same colour and pattern for Dutch canopies as patio awnings?
• Can I fit a patio awning myself to save on the cost?
• What happens if high winds damage the supporting arms of my patio awning?
• As it is an electrically-operated system, can I nevertheless stop the awning part-way extended should I require?
• How long would it take to fit Dutch canopies to all twelve ground and upper floor windows around my home?
• How much would it cost to fit a five metre patio awning to my rear garden wall?
• Why do I need an awning outside - won't inside blinds or curtains protect my furnishings?
• What else will an awning do apart from protect my furniture?

• What size awning should I buy?
• Does my wall need to be specially prepared or can an awning be fitted to any surface?
• Must the awning be fitted at a special height?
• What sort of windloads will my awning withstand?
• OK but how much wind will it stand?
• Can I leave my awning out in the rain?
• If there are no poles at the front what is holding the awning up?
• What do I do with my awning in the winter?
• Why would I want my awning to be motorised?
• How long will the awning last?
• What can I do to prevent soiling or marks?
• What do I do with my wet / damp awning?

Q: Can I have the same colour and pattern for Dutch canopies as patio awnings?

• A: Yes, the material is interchangeable and you can select any colour and pattern from our huge range to give you complete co-ordination between patio awnings and Dutch canopies around your home.
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Q: Can I fit a patio awning myself to save on the cost?

• A: There is no price advantage in fitting a patio awning yourself as installation is free. Also, our patio awning systems come with a free five year guarantee that requires our qualified installers to fit the patio awning (or Dutch canopies) themselves.
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Q: What happens if high winds damage the supporting arms of my patio awning?

• A: This would be a very rare occurrence as our quality patio awnings include an integral wind
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Q: As it is an electrically-operated system, can I nevertheless stop the awning part-way extended should I require?

• A: Yes. The electric motor-driven system operates as long as your finger is on the button of the remote control or the internal wall-mounted switch. Alternatively, you can double click either switch to automatically extend or retract the awning completely.
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Q: How long would it take to fit Dutch canopies to all twelve ground and upper floor windows around my home?

• A: We tailor the size of our team of installers to enable them to install your Dutch canopies in a day. The bigger the job, the bigger the installation team. Our objective is to give you as little disruption and inconvenience as possible.
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Q: How much would it cost to fit a five metre patio awning to my rear garden wall?

• A: That depends on a whole range of features and requirements. For instance, how deep do you want the projection? Which colour and model do you want? Are there any irregularities or obstructions on your wall that might influence the attachment method? Where is your nearest power supply? Why not phone us and arrange for a free survey and quotation that is guaranteed to result in the patio awning of your dreams.
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Q: Why do I need an awning outside - won't inside blinds or curtains protect my furnishings?

• A: Yes they will but you won't be able to see the lovely day outside!
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Q: What else will an awning do apart from protect my furniture?

• A: Whether the curtains are closed or not, once the heat is through the glass your interior room temperature will rise. An awning keeps the room cool by casting a shadow on the window and blocking sunlight from reaching the glass.
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Q: What size awning should I buy?

• A: That very much depends on the application and the window but it should extend past the window opening by at least 200 mm (8 inches) if possible. The projection depends upon how much of your patio you want to A maximum projection of 3500 mm (140 inches) is recommended.. The amount of shade you get will vary with the time of year.
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Q: Does my wall need to be specially prepared or can an awning be fitted to any surface?

• A: The awning will be fitted with pretty big bolts and chemical anchor, drill size 10/12 mm (1/2 inch), so the wall needs to be in good condition. A Crown surveyor will check it out to make sure and most problems can be overcome by using special plates to spread the load or chemical fixings to bind together a suspect area. Sometimes special extension brackets may be required - especially on bungalows or single storey extensions.
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Q: Must the awning be fitted at a special height?

• A: The higher the awning can be fitted the greater the pitch and the stronger it will be but you should try to obtain at least a 10 degree angle
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Q: What sort of windloads will my awning withstand?

• A: Patio awnings are specifically intended as providers of shade and are not to be left out in windy conditions. Awnings will withstand a surprising amount of wind and rain - as can be seen on many UK High Streets - but they are not all designed for this sort of application. If you are concerned that the awning will be left unattended then we recommend the automatic option is selected which will ensure the awning retracts automatically in adverse weather.
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Q: OK but how much wind will it stand?

• A: In controlled environments awnings can stand wind speeds of 50 MPH or more but in the natural environment the wind gusts and can change direction rapidly making it unpredictable. As a rule of thumb if you are comfortable to be sitting outside then the awning is likely to be perfectly safe. The greater the pitch (slope) of the awning the greater resistance to wind it will have.
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Q: Can I leave my awning out in the rain?

• A: You may leave the awning out in light rain and your awning may well save the day in a shower affected barbecue but you should not allow water to pool on the cover and, if you have to retract it whilst still wet then open the awning to allow it to dry as soon as possible.
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Q: If there are no poles at the front what is holding the awning up?

• A: The awning is designed to be self supporting. The arm contains very strong springs which are permanently pushing the awning out and maintaining cover tension.
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Q: What do I do with my awning in the winter?

• A: Just leave it where it is - it will come to no harm. You may wish to slide off the removable valance but may be surprised at how much you want to use it in the winter especially when the sun is low.
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Q: Why would I want my awning to be motorised?

• A: Whilst awnings are easy to operate with the standard winding handle it is so much easier to just press a switch, activate the remote or just let the automatic function take over. So many electrical options are available that there is bound to be one that suits you. Power draw is very low and a normal 13 amp supply is sufficient.
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Q: How long will the awning last?

• A: The frame is made from powdercoated aluminium so it will last a very long time and stay looking good if you just wash it down with soapy water occasionally.
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Q: What can I do to prevent soiling or marks?

• A: Soiling caused by impurities in the air are best brushed off at regular intervals. Small marks are treated as follows: Scrub wash by hand at approx. 30° C using commercially available fine washing powder. Rinse several times with clean water . Repeat the procedure so long until the fabric is clean (washing powder residue must be removed without trace). Leave the cover to dry. Use tent water proofing spray should reproofing be necessary.
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Q: What do I do with my wet / damp awning?

• A: Awning materials do not need to be afraid of rain. However leave the awning to dry in its extended state before retracting it into its cassette
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