There are a lot of awnings out there. Overhanging patios, covering balconies and keeping people safe and in the shade up and down the country.
With so many to choose from, it can be hard to pick the best patio awnings. But never fear: we’ve done just that.
Who better to list the best awnings than the UK’s top awning supplier, with the largest range of awnings since 2003?
How do I choose the awning that’s right for me?
Browse by budget
This is a budget awning, for example
Start with your budget. If you’re after a budget awning, then a budget awning is perfect for you. If you’re looking to splash a little more, you can start to look at manual awnings, and further still you’ll find electric – the fanciest of all the awnings.
These are both available in half or full cassette varieties. Half cassette covers half of the rolled-up awning, while full covers all of it. The latter means the material lasts slightly longer, but is more expensive for it.
There’s also drop-awn and side awnings, but as these are niche applications we’ll focus on the big ones for now.
Pick your power
Electric awnings still include manual cranks
Manual and electric refers to the main mode of operation, in that manual uses a crank while electric has the option of using a remote. Though you can still manually crank them if needed.
Manual awnings just require installing and you’re good to go, while electric awnings require access to a power source. If you don’t have an external socket already, you’ll need to install one – or get the tools out for some DIY to run the power wire indoors to a socket.
Select your size
This will help
After choosing from budget, manual or electric, it’s time to pick your size. Awning sizes refer to their widths, while they extend between 0.5-1m less than that. So make your choice based on the width and you’ll get a projection that feels appropriate for it. Think about the patio doors you might want to install over, or the width of the furniture that’s going to sit beneath it.
Choose your colour
Last but not least, the fun bit: choosing a colour. The most popular colours are ivory and charcoal (just like cars), followed by multi-stripe, green and white stripe, and silver. You can also find blue, yellow, terracotta and more, 16 in total, so you can either pick your favourite or the colour that best complements your decor. The choice is almost completely yours, but note that not every colour is available in every size.
But it’s definitely more important to get the right size than the perfect colour!
With that, you’re all set. If you need more pointers, read our list below of the UK’s favourite awnings.
The top awnings list
1. 4m Budget Manual Charcoal
As promised, charcoal tops the awning list, and this budget style is one of our most popular. It does exactly what it needs to, providing shade with a few turns of the crank while staying effortlessly classic. It’s easy to install too, possible in a couple of hours for the medium-competent DIY-ers.
- Price: £429.99
- Cassette: White
- Operation: Crank-operated
- Features: Easy install, waterproof fabric, forged aluminium arms
Shop this 4m Budget Charcoal Awning
2. 3m Budget Manual Charcoal
Still charcoal but coming in a metre thinner at 3m. Still waterproof, still manual and still looking great, this is an awning for those with slightly smaller patios or decks.
- Price: £309.99
- Cassette: White
- Operation: Crank-operated
- Features: Easy install, waterproof fabric, forged aluminium arms
Shop this 3m Budget Charcoal Awning
3. 6m Full Cassette Electric Charcoal
Here we jump from the bottom of the price list to the top – and what a world you get with it. This awning can be operated by remote, indoor switch, outdoor switch or even an automatic weather sensor kit. Just take your pick! And the material is fully protected while not in use too thanks to that full cassette.
Note that each method of operation is an added extra – the cheapest option is an indoor switch.
- Price: £2,319.99
- Cassette: White
- Operation: Electric, with a choice of options
- Features: Easy install, waterproof fabric, UPF50+ rating
Shop this 6m Electric Charcoal Awning
4. 3m Full Cassette Electric Ivory
The first of the ivories in a smaller size at the above, this awning comes in at a median 3m – a midpoint between our biggest and smallest awnings. All the same great operation options as above, with a nice light-reflecting colour to go with it.
- Price: £1,189.99
- Cassette: White
- Operation: Electric, with a choice of options
- Features: Easy install, waterproof fabric, UPF50+ rating
Shop this 3m Electric Ivory Awning
5. 3m Full Cassette Electric Charcoal – Charcoal Frame
Charcoal with a cool white fringe at the end, this material perfectly complements the charcoal frame that goes with it. And if the power ever goes out but you still need shade or to protect your awning from the wind, the handy manual crank supplied can be used to bring it back in.
- Price: £1,289.99
- Cassette: Charcoal
- Operation: Electric, with a choice of options
- Features: Easy install, waterproof fabric, UPF50+ rating
Shop this 3m Electric Double Charcoal Awning
6. 5.0m Full Cassette Electric Awning, Yellow and Grey Stripe
The most eye-catching awning until we get to the last in the list, this yellow and grey stripe adds a bit of flair to your garden shade. Grab one with a weather sensor for the ultimate in awning style, automatically retracting and extending depending on your needs without needing to lift a finger.
- Price: £2,149.99
- Cassette: White
- Operation: Electric, with a choice of options
- Features: Easy install, waterproof fabric, UPF50+ rating
Shop this 5m Electric Yellow and Grey Awning
7. 6.0m Half Cassette Electric Awning, Green and White
Last but by no means least, we love this awning so much we use it in loads of our imagery when we talk about awnings. It’s got a seaside cafe feel to it thanks to the green and white stripes, and the half cassette means it’s a bit more unobtrusive than the full cassette varieties. Superior quality coupled with great value for money.
- Price: £1,999.99
- Cassette: White
- Operation: Electric, with a choice of options
- Features: Easy install, waterproof fabric, UPF50+ rating
Shop this 6m Electric Green And White Stripe Awning
How to install an awning
The preparation for installing an awning can usually be completed by one person. You will, however, require assistance when lifting the awning into position. They can be 6m wide after all!
You can install most of our standard awnings by following the basic instructions below. For specific instructions, you can find all the required info at Primrose Awnings – instructions.
Required equipment:
- Step ladder
- Tape measure
- that’s as long as your awning is wide
- Drill
- with a sufficiently-sized masonry drill bit
- Pencil or sharpie for marking the wall
- Screwdriver (optional for starting screws off)
- Use an electric screwdriver to spare your arms
Basic installation guide
- Determine the position of your awning on the wall. It’s best to position it between 8 and 11 feet off the ground. Bear in mind that the awning will extend out at a diagonal so the furthest end will be lower than the starting height.
- Measure out the awning and mark the position on your wall for where the brackets will be positioned.
- Drill holes for fixing your brackets to the wall. Be sure to drill into brick and not the mortar as this will be too weak. Most awnings will only need 8 holes to be drilled with 4 on each side (large awnings may require more holes to be drilled)
- Attach your wall brackets.
- Lift the main awning into position and fix to the bracket. This is the step you should never attempt on your own and is best done with assistance.
- Slowly extend the awning out to ensure everything operates correctly.
- Enjoy your awning!
How to clean an Awning
A bit of soapy water will go a long way (for cleaning the fabric, a wipe will do for the cassette). For full awning cleaning instructions, you can read how to clean an awning’s fabric here.
Shop Over 900 Awnings at Primrose
Tape measure Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash