Awnings
Elevate your outdoor space with the sleek and stylish folding arm awning — the perfect blend of form and function. Designed to extend seamlessly with robust, retractable arms, an awning offers instant shade and UV protection without the need for bulky posts or supports, preserving your open-air view. Whether you’re entertaining guests on the patio, relaxing on the balcony, or creating a welcoming ambiance for your café, the folding arm awning adds comfort, elegance, and flexibility to any setting.
At Structures By Design, we offer a range of premium fabrics, colours and motorised options to specifically target and suit almost any individual requirement and setting. Please get in touch to discuss the optimal solution for your space.
See lessMaintaining a folding arm awning is essential to extend its lifespan and ensure smooth operation. Here’s a practical maintenance guide covering cleaning, inspection, and preventive care:
- Clean your awning every 2-3 months, or after heavy pollen, bird droppings, or storms- Use a soft brush to remove loose dirt a debris, hose down with water on low pressure and clean with a mild soap. Rinse thoroughly to prevent soap residue and allow to fully air dry before retracting.
- Inspect your awning every 6 months or after severe weather- Look for tears, fading or mold in the fabric and check for loose screws, misaligned arms or signs of rust or corrosion in the hardware. Listen to the motor for unusual noises and ensure smooth retraction/extension.
- Lubricate every 1–2 years- apply silicone spray or dry graphite to moving parts such as the elbow joints and arm pivots. Avoid WD-40 or greasy lubricants as they can attract dirt.
- Conduct Preventive Care- Retract your awning in bad weather such as wind, heavy rain or snow, trim nearby plants or trees to prevent rubbing or sap drips and use a protective cover when not using for long periods.
- Schedule annual service with a technician for motorised systems- have the frame alignment checked and tension settings adjusted if arms sag or canopy doesn’t extend evenly.
*Failure to maintain your louvre roof system appropriately may result in warranty becoming void.
We offer a range of different awning designs with varying specifications and dimensions. Please get in touch or download our brochures for further information.
What is the time-frame for the installation of my awning?
The installation time can vary from job to job and is dependent on factors such as permit requirements, work conditions and project size.
As a rough guide for a small residential job with permit requirements, the design, engineering and permit application can take around 4 weeks. From there, the manufacturing, supply and installation takes around 3-4 weeks.
Time frames are completely job dependent. The team will be able to give you a rough estimate of lead times after quoting. Looking at our recent projects may also give you an indication of timings.
What is a folding arm awning?
A folding arm awning is a retractable shading system mounted to a wall or roof. It uses articulated arms that extend and retract horizontally, allowing the fabric canopy to cover or uncover an outdoor area like a patio, balcony, or deck.
Can folding arm awnings be used in the rain?
Light rain is usually fine, if the awning is angled correctly to allow water runoff. However, heavy rain can pool on the fabric and damage the frame or stretch the fabric, so it’s recommended to retract during storms or heavy downpours.
Can I leave my awning out all year?
Not advisable unless it’s specifically designed for all-weather use. It’s best to:
- Retract during winter or storms
- Use a protective cover
- Store the unit (if removable) in harsh climates
Are folding arm awnings waterproof?
They are typically water-resistant, not fully waterproof—unless made with PVC-coated fabric. Always ensure the awning has enough pitch (slope) to let rainwater run off.