FAQs
As you would expect, we get plenty of questions about the awnings, pergolas and glass roofs that we stock here at Cotswolds. We felt it was worth compiling some frequently asked questions, below.
If you have a more specific enquiry to your own project, please do email us here, give us a call on 01451 537580, or LiveChat us on the icon in the below right of the website page.
First, just request a quote, telling us roughly what you want, we will then find a suitable solution that you are in agreement with.
We will then provide a price – which includes installation.
If you are happy with the quote we will then proceed with a site survey at the property in question. Here we can show you swatches of colours, and finalise the measurements.
If anything has changed, we will update the quotation and you then pay a 50% deposit.
Finally, we agree an installation date, we complete the installation and we then invoice for the final 50%.
Any questions, email us here
You could have an awning on the smallest window in your house - we have sold and installed quite small awnings. It’s more important that you work out how much space you have that needs to be covered, rather than worry if you have enough space.
For more information on choosing the size and height of your awning, click here.
Shelter is an all-weather solution, shade is related to just having an option of shade from the sun. For a more detailed explanation please click here.
A remote control awning just makes life a little bit easier! It means that when you are coming in after an evening out in the warm summer breeze, or perhaps the sun has gone in whilst you are sitting outside, without having to move, you can ensure the awning goes back into the cassette.
If you remember late at night – no need to go outside, just retract the awning remotely.
If you are planning on using a waterproof canopy as protection when it rains, then you will need a minimum of 14° pitch on the awning – this prevents water build up on the fabric, and minimises stretching and damaging.
The easiest way to work out the 14° pitch – for every metre of projection you will need a 250mm drop. So a three metre projection would need a 750mm drop. This means if you want a height of 2m at the lowest point of the awning (which is normally at the front), the awning will be fitted at 2.75m on the wall. Whatever you want at the front of the awning, you measure accordingly at the back.
For more information on this please click here
A valance is a vertical, drop down shade. It can provide extra protection and give you privacy whilst sitting outside in your garden.
It also provides extra shade in the evening when the sun is lower, stops the sunlight shining in your eyes when chatting to friends and can provide some protection when it rains.
For information on other accessories you can have with your awning, just click here.
A louvred roof is fitted to an aluminium pergola. When fully closed it can be waterproof and it can rotate from 0 to 135° meaning you always have shade or direct shade where you would prefer it to be. As the sun moves around during the day, you are able to regularly switch the degree of the louvres.
For more information on the types of roofs we offer on pergolas, read our blog here
A remote control awning offers more peace of mind. If it’s too windy the awning will retract into its cassette, which is just one less thing to worry about. Also, if you are already inside and forgot to retract the awning, no need to go outside – just use the remote to put it away!
The benefits of having a manual crank handle is that it is cheaper and you don’t need a power supply close by.
It’s a more traditional look and blends in better with the look and feel of the garden. Added to that a glass roof lets in lots of light, but provides all year-round weather protection. Even if you intend to use it for sitting out in the sun – you can have an under or overblind on the glass roof.
For more information, read our blog here
A pergola is a perfect all-weather solution. It is a more stable structure as opposed to an awning. You can have the option of glass roof or aluminium louvred roof. A pergola can be a lean to (so attached to an external wall of your home) or more commonly, free standing with a drainage system.
For more information, read our blog on pergolas here
If you are looking for an all-weather solution, you required shelter. Options include a pergola with glass roof, a pergola with louvred roof, a pergola with retractable louvred roof or a pergola with retractable fabric.
We would recommend if you are looking for an all weather solution, you consider glass sides and/or zip screens which we install at the same time.
If you are enjoying an alfresco meal outside and it starts to rain, you can set the awning to either stay extended until you have gone in, or you can move your meal inside and retract the awning.
If you have a louvred roof, the slats will form a waterproof barrier and keep you dry.
We would recommend anything from £3k upwards, depending on what you want. The size of the awning is the most important budgetary factor. After this, other considerations including remote controls, lighting and infrared heaters on an awning will mean you need to increase your budget. We do have a budget page which gives you an idea of what you can get for your money. Click here for more information
A pergola can cost from £5.5k, depending on what you want. Once again, size is a significant factor, as are zip screens and glass sides, lighting, heaters. It is worth discussing with us what you want and we can then give you a rough idea of costs.
Absolutely it does. Please make sure if you are getting other quotes, that they include installation too.
Yes, most awnings and pergolas have accessories, and these include LED integrated lighting options. These can either be under the canopy, incorporated into the cassette or as spotlights.
Not only is the fabric on your awning waterproof, but many come with their own drainage system (when the pitch is set at the right angle) and you can also have a wind and rain sensor as an extra accessory – setting it to either retract the awning when it rains, or put it out for protection.
We can offer you a number of different options. From a glass room, to a Markilux Planet, or an aluminium pergola – just get in touch here for your ideal canopy.
Absolutely you can. Otherwise known as a retractable garden canopy, we have fitted a number of awnings over the top of wooden structures to provide extra protection. The awnings are waterproof, can be retracted, and are a useful additional feature to your wooden pergola.
Absolutely you can. A pergola is likely to keep the heat in more than an awning, but both will benefit from some extra LED lighting and an infrared heater which can be fitted on the awning, the pergola or the wall of the house.
An electric awning allows you to retract and extend your awning without needing to touch it, so you could be inside and retract your awning.
A manual awning has a crank handle, which means you can manually retract and extend it – this is often positioned on the wall of your house. Very useful of you don’t have an electricity supply close by.
We have lots of garden awning and pergola ideas within our inspiration gallery.
