Retractable Awnings: The Ultimate Buyers Guide

Thinking of investing in a shade solution for your home or business? Retractable awnings are one of the most popular options on the market.  

They’re flexible, stylish and add significant value to any residential or commercial building.  

Here, we’ll look at everything you need to know before purchasing a retractable awning, from different awning types to their cost and additional features. 

5 Popular Retractable Awning Models (& What’s Right For You)

Combining craftsman like attention to detail with premium fabrics and componentry, Helioscreen deliver custom made awnings of the highest quality.  

Our range of retractable awnings include:

1. Rubix Cassette

With a focus on clean lines, the Rubix Cassette’s rectangular, slim design is ideal for modern homes and commercial buildings. The awning is designed to integrate seamlessly into the side of a building, and folds away completely when not in use, protecting the system and fabric. 

The Rubix Cassette has a maximum projection of 3.5 metres, so it’s ideal for shading decks, courtyards, patios and more.  

2. Cassette Awning

Helioscreen’s Cassette awning offers maximum protection and style for any residential or commercial garden, deck or patio. The awning’s fully closing cassette design has an elegant finish that provides complete fabric and componentry protection from the elements. 

The Cassette awning has a maximum projection of 4 metres.  

3. Fabric Cassette

Made with premium European componentry, Helioscreen’s Fabric Cassette provides durable protection from the elements without sacrificing stylish design. The awning has a generous 4.5 metre maximum projection, so it’s ideal for sheltering large decks, courtyards and balconies.  

4. Cocoon Awning

Custom made with quality European components, the Cocoon Cassette guarantees high performance and a long lifespan. It’s slimline, fully closing cassette offers full protection to the system and fabric and almost completely disappears into the façade of a building when not in use. 

The Cocoon Cassette has a maximum projection of 3.5 metres, so it’s well-suited to shading decks, patios, pools – you name it.  

5. Classic Awning

Helioscreen’s Classic Awning offers a simple yet stylish sun solution that complements any residential or commercial façade. With numerous installation options and a maximum projection of 4.5 metres, the Classic Awning is sure to enhance any outdoor space, from large terraces to small balconies. 

Helioscreen’s Customisation Options

At Helioscreen, we offer multiple customisation options to give your awning the extra ‘wow factor’ and ensure it meets your functional and aesthetic requirements. 

Further options for customisation include: 

Manual Or Motorised Operation

Opening and closing using a simple crank handle, manual awnings are a great option for small spaces or those on a tighter budget. 

Motorised awnings, on the other hand, operate either via a remote control, wall switch or smart phone app. They extend or retract with the touch of a button, making motorised awnings ideal for large areas or busy restaurants and cafes. 

Suppliers like Helioscreen also offer the option to automate your awning with timers, so it’ll open and close at certain times of day to keep your space at an optimal temperature.  

Over 150 Fabric & Frame Colours

The colour and style of your awning contributes significantly to the aesthetic appeal of your property, so you want to get it right. Luckily, suppliers like Helioscreen have over 150 awning fabric and frame colours to choose from, so there’s something for everyone. 

When choosing the right colour for your awning, you’ll want to consider factors like the fabric type and your energy saving goals. For example, light colour awnings made from solution dyed acrylic are great for reflecting light and heat and are less prone to rot and fading than darker colours. 

Weather Sensors

For unbeatable convenience, there’s the option to add sun and wind sensors to your awning. When the sun comes out, they instruct your awning to extend automatically to keep your indoor and outdoor areas comfortable and shady.  

Alternatively, if strong winds pick up, the wind sensor will retract your awning to prevent any damage.  

Vario Valance

Helioscreen’s Vario Valance is a vertically adjustable drop down blind that attaches to the base bar of your awning. It extends up to 1.6m and offers additional privacy and protection from the sun’s heat and glare.  

5 Noteable Benefits Of Retractable Awnings

Retractable awnings are a flexible shade solution that fold out to provide shelter from the harsh Australian sun. They give you the luxury to control light and protect yourself from the elements, adding flexibility and value to decks, balconies, patios – you name it. 

Some notable benefits of retractable awnings include: 

1. They maximise usable outdoor space 
2. They protect your furniture and flooring from UV damage 
3. They’re highly customisable 
4. They reduce your home’s carbon footprint 
5. They offer flexible light and heat control 

How Much Does A Retractable Awning Cost?

The cost of a retractable awning will vary depending on the size, operation and additional features you choose.  

As a general guide, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2800 for a small, manually operated system to $12,000 for a large, top of the range motorised model. 

To find out exactly how much a retractable awning will cost for your home or business, see our awning price calculator tool or contact one of our friendly team today.  

Are Retractable Awnings Waterproof?

Quality retractable awnings, such as those from Helioscreen, are water resistant and can handle mild rain. They’re made from water resistant fabrics like vinyl and acrylic and have an installation angle between 5-40° to allow for adequate water runoff. 

However, retractable awnings are designed for sun protection and are not made to hold large pools of water. So, you should always retract your awning in heavy rain to protect it from damage.  

Installing A Retractable Awning With Helioscreen – Next Steps

Arrange A Quote

As a wholesale manufacturer, Helioscreen have a vast network of resellers Australia-wide. All you need to do is contact us and we can connect you with a suitable reseller who will visit your project location and provide you with a quote based on your requirements and specifications.  

It’s that easy. 

Price Comparision

Helioscreen’s retractable awnings are competitively priced in the market and custom made to meet your exact size, colour and style requirements. 

We’ve been manufacturing and distributing premium sun control solutions for more than 20 years, so there is no comparison in quality and experience.  

Approximate Time Of Delivery

Our delivery times vary depending on season and demand. As a general guide, manufacturing time is usually 4 weeks from receipt to order.  

Choose Australia’s Leading Retractable Awning Supplier

To guarantee your awning remains beautiful and functional for years to come, ensure you’re choosing a reputable awning supplier like Helioscreen with a quality product. 

Helioscreen is Australia’s leading supplier of retractable awnings. We stand by the quality of our awnings, providing you with a generous five year warranty on the fabric, motor and hardware, so you can rest easy knowing your awning is made to last. Contact us today for more information.