What are window awnings?
Secondary coverings fixed to the outside wall above a window, shielding the glass from direct sun, rain and wind. They come in a range of materials, profiles and mechanisms, which is why they suit everything from a Victorian cottage to a face-brick townhouse.
Why fit them
- Energy efficiency: awnings can cut solar heat gain through a window by up to 77% — the cheapest air conditioning you'll ever buy.
- UV protection: furniture, flooring and curtains stop fading, because the sun never reaches them.
- Weather protection: windows can stay open for ventilation even in light rain.
- Kerb appeal: a row of well-chosen awnings gives a flat façade depth and shadow.
The types
Fixed awnings
Permanent protection, maximum durability — in aluminium, effectively maintenance-free.
Retractable and fall-arm awnings
Swing out or fold back as the weather changes. Our fall-arm window awnings adjust to any angle on a gearbox, so the shade follows the sun through the day.
Motorised awnings
The same mechanics, driven by a switch or remote — worth it on hard-to-reach windows.
Choosing the material
- Canvas / acrylic: the classic look. Ours is imported French acrylic, Scotchgarded, so it resists fading and mildew far better than commodity canvas.
- Aluminium: baked-on colour, zero maintenance, hail-proof — the practical choice for the highveld.
- Polycarbonate: shade with light — UV-blocking sheets that keep the room bright.
Getting it right
Two details make or break a window awning: projection (deep enough to shade the summer sun, short enough to let the low winter sun in) and fixing (into structure, not just plaster). Our consultants sort both on the free site visit — book one here, in Cape Town or Johannesburg.