Patio awnings - anyone got one?

[Wolfgirl]

Can anyone recommend patio awnings? For the last couple of summers it has been crazy hot, and the usual parasols dont quite do the trick. Ive taken a look at some of the sites offering these awnings - which have come a long way from a tatty bit of fabric with a frill valance on the end! BUT, for a good quality one, electronic, they are really expensive, so Im wondering if anyone can recommend please?

thanks in advance. xx

ah, what you really want is a shade sail ...

took a look, but nah! dont like em; or rather, they would look good in the right setting, but not where I have in mind; thanks for the option/thought MrsB. thats great. xx

Had one for a few years, really pleased with it. Bought it from hilary's!

ah Hilarys; I did see them on the internet; did you have to install it yourself, and if so, was it quite easy. Is yours manual or electric? if manual, is it easy to pull out etc. xx

Hollybelle? xx

My mum's got one. It's manual but very easy. It has a special pole that you slot in and turn and it all folds out. My mum showed me and it was quite gentle, not an effort, and you don't have to have it all the way out if you don't want to. I must admit I was impressed! I don't know where she bought it from though I'm afraid.

we bought an electric one from Nationwide. I think it cost about £2K but did it's job and was very easy to use. have since moved so someone else is reaping the benefits.

Thanks ladies; I dont want to spend much, I have been dilly-dallying between manual and electric tbh. Electric would be great, but we dont have big money right now and so Im thinking that we will plumb for the manual; I think these awnings and their mechanisms have improved and come a long way since I was a child; I think they have a major place in the home now, especially with the heat waves we have each summer. The sun beats onto our patio and into our back room till 4pm in the afternoon! The outdoor table and chair parassol doesnt cut the mustard, so awnings are the way to go.

I'll let you know how we get on. I wonder if they are easy to install yourself LOL. xx

Ours is electric and cost about £1100. We ve just had it refitted onto the back of our extension. Dont think it would be too difficult if you were into DIY. One of our neighbours moved his own!!