Folding arm awning

Nicoletta · Sep 21, 2010 6:14 pm

Just wondering if anyone has installed one of these, and how much it cost. I saw mention that they are "not cheap", but i've no idea where prices would start. Any info would be very helpful!!

robinred55 · Sep 21, 2010 8:43 pm

Hi Nicoletta, I looked at them also and though we didn't get a quote I remember it was around $3000 for about a 3m awning. I think they're a wonderful idea especially on the northern side of homes. At that price we wont be having them.

Nicoletta · Sep 21, 2010 11:00 pm

Thanks for that! Not as bad as i was expecting, but still not cheap.

Yep, our rear deck is north-facing

Did you come up with another solution that was cheaper, or just decide to go without?

supasquirrel · Sep 22, 2010 12:25 am

I've just started looking at these tonight online. Have found 4mts x 2.5mt for around $400. Some are being sold on an online auction for less (but may go higher by close of auction). Anyone heard of the brand Bariloche??

robinred55 · Sep 22, 2010 3:53 pm

Hi again Nicoletta,
We haven't made a decision yet. We will build a pergola at the rear of our house which faces west. On the northern side we had the roof timbers reinforced for a future pergola. We're considering the sails that slide on 2 wires so you can open them out or fold them up. They seem like a much cheaper option then the fold out awnings.

I'll have to check out what supasquirrel has found though.

robinred55 · Sep 22, 2010 4:48 pm

I've checked out what supasquirrel found on ebay. Very interesting. they are so much cheaper than what I've seen from retailers. I'm wondering about the quality and since they're so new there isn't any feedback on them yet. I think it's worth watching.

kexkez · Nov 30, 2010 10:41 pm

I think kek has one

kek · Dec 01, 2010 10:46 pm

We've ordered one, don't have it yet - should be installed before Christmas.

We looked at all options for our west-facing sliding door. Initially we were going to build a pergola, because we could DIY it reasonably cheaply. But due to an easement, it was a logistical impossibility. Besides, I didn't want to lose sunlight/heat in winter, so a permanent structure wasn't ideal from that point of view. On a northerly aspect, you could use battens spaced so as to let the sun through in winter and block it in summer - but that wont' work on the west side.

So we had to choose between a shade sail and a retractable awning. Surprisingly, the sail was more expensive. We also weren't mad on having a couple of whopping big poles permanently in view when the sail was taken down. And removing/replacing the sail would be a bit of a PITA; not something you could do regularly. So the awning won out, mainly because it's easy to fold in and out as required.

Our awning is 3500 wide by 2350 deep and will be mounted under our fascia, with the pelmet in a matching Colorbond colour. There was a big range of fabric colours. Cost is $2475. We didn't opt for the motor/remote add-on, because that was an extra $1000.

In high winds, we'll need to fold it away, but normal winds shouldn't be a drama as long as we leave a bit of slack in the fabric.

I'll post some photos when it's installed.

This is the website: http://www.blindeffects.com.au/id66.html

I'd be wary of the cheap ones - they're generally made in China and aren't great quality. Our guy uses an Aussie manufacturer to supply his blinds and offers a good warranty (don't ask me the details, I can't recall just now). Ring a few places and get an idea of what products/quality they offer and then get some quotes - don't just go for the cheapest one.

kek · Dec 14, 2010 8:19 pm

Ta-dah!

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The angle can be altered - we chose to have the blind angled downward to meet the top of the fence for maximum block-out factor. That can be altered at any time if you change your mind. Our fences are 1800mm high, and the mid-point would be at least 2.2m, so there's no danger of smacking our heads on the arms as we walk through.

It's easy to wind in and out, and from inside the house, we can't even see it when it's folded away.

Now I can finally finish my planting along the fence there. And I'm thinking a nice timber sun lounge and low table would go well on my little patio.

MissyP · Jan 19, 2011 6:22 pm

kek

Ta-dah!

Kek, that is brilliant. I have not seen anything like this before. And to be able to open it from the inside with a winder is even more of a boon. Thanks so much for posting these pictures.

robinred55 · Jan 19, 2011 7:43 pm

Regarding availability, I found some at Bunnings for very reasonable costs. Just check out area around their outside blinds and you may see them. We haven't made any decisions yet but I love the idea of having my Northern sun in winter.

kek · Jan 20, 2011 8:05 am

Because our window doesn't face true west (it's actually north-west) we still get some sun coming in from the side late in the day, but that's from about 6:00 or 7:00pm, and doesn't cause a problem. If we've kept the room shaded for the earlier part of the afternoon, it stays cool.

In winter, I love the sun streaming in through the glass - free heating!

Nicoletta · Mar 17, 2011 11:19 pm

Thanks so much for posting and updating with your pics kek. Great to see one in action!

Our deck is slightly north-north-west, so i guess we'd have a similar issue with light coming in the sides.

Since i first looked into these, i've seen vergolas and am also considering one of those instead - quite an investment though!!