How to choose an awning or canopy

There are a multitude of companies all offering to sell you the patio awning of your dreams, so how can you be sure that you are making the right choice? Here are our top tips for selecting a patio awning:

Are you getting the right awning for your needs? There are many considerations to be taken into account when deciding on a patio awning, including:

Will the awning provide shade throughout the day?
What size awning do you need?
Which style of awning will best suit your home?
Do you want a motorised or manual awning?
Will the awning be fully automatic?
Which fabric should you choose?

Suppliers should be able to answer all these questions when they visit your home. All of our staff are experienced, knowledgeable Product Advisors and they will be happy to answer these and any other questions you may have. They will also ensure that you decide on the right awning to suit your requirements.

Make sure your awning is UV rated. Damage from UV rays is an increasing problem and you should ensure that you are protected from its harmful effects whilst enjoying your garden.

Do they offer automatic protection? Intelligent sun sensors can detect when the sun is out and automatically operate the awning, even when you are not at home, helping to minimise fading of furnishings. Wind sensors automatically retract the awning in blustery conditions, to avoid damage to both the awning and your home.

Will the awning stand the test of time? As an awning is a big investment, you need to be confident that both the fabric and components will withstand the British weather, year after year. Will the fabric fade as soon as the sun comes out? Will the components start to rust when it rains? All of our Awnings fabrics are treated to ensure the highest levels of fade-resistance and all our components are engineered from stainless steel and powder-coated aluminium to ensure they remain rust free.

Are there optional extras available? Patio heaters and night lights help you make the most of your awning, enabling you to enjoy your garden in evenings and colder weather. At Denton Blinds we can offer a range of heaters and integral night-lights to complement any awning in our range.

Are you getting the best possible value for your money? Quality standards of patio awnings vary greatly, as with any other product. Be wary of awnings where the price looks 'too good to be true' - it probably is. Every awning that we supply is honestly priced and made from quality components, thus giving you many years of use.

Are you buying from a reputable company? Every supplier will tell you that they have a good reputation and are well established, but will they provide the levels of customer service, product support and advice that you should expect? Denton Blinds have worked hard to create a reputation throughout the area for our honesty and quality.

Is there someone in your area who can come and visit? A local representative is more likely to be able to arrange a visit at a time convenient to you. It is also comforting to know that should there be any problems, there is someone close by who can help you.