Walk into any outdoor living showroom and you'll find awnings in all shapes, sizes, and configurations. The terminology can be confusing: cassette, semi-cassette, open arm, pergola, drop-arm. What do these terms actually mean, and does it matter which type you choose?

It does matter. Different awning styles suit different situations, and choosing the right type affects everything from how the awning looks on your home to how long it lasts and how much maintenance it needs. This guide explains what's what.

Retractable Arm Awnings

The most common type for residential use. These mount to a wall above a patio door or window and extend outward on folding arms, creating a canopy of shade. When not needed, they retract back against the wall.

Within this category, there are three main variants:

Cassette awnings

When retracted, the entire awning - fabric, arms, and mechanism - folds away into a protective housing (the cassette). Nothing is exposed to the weather when the awning is closed.

Advantages:

Best protection for the fabric and mechanism when stored
Clean, streamlined appearance when closed
Longer lifespan in exposed positions
Less maintenance required

Considerations:

Higher cost than open designs
The cassette housing adds some visual bulk

Cassette awnings are the premium choice and make sense for most installations, particularly where the awning will be mounted in an exposed position or where appearance matters.

Semi-cassette awnings

A middle ground. The fabric rolls into a protective hood, but the folding arms remain partially visible when retracted.

Advantages:

Good fabric protection at a lower cost than full cassette
Slimmer profile than full cassette designs
Often a good balance of protection and value

Considerations:

Arms are still exposed to weather when closed
Not quite as neat in appearance as full cassette

Semi-cassette designs work well where the mounting position offers some natural shelter, or where budget is a consideration but fabric protection is still important.

Open arm awnings

The most basic configuration. The fabric wraps around a roller tube, and the arms fold up against the wall, but there's no protective housing. Everything remains visible and exposed when retracted.

Advantages:

Lowest cost option
Simplest mechanism
Can work well in sheltered positions

Considerations:

Fabric and mechanism exposed to weather year-round
More frequent cleaning and maintenance required
Shorter lifespan in exposed positions
Less attractive appearance when closed

Open arm awnings suit installations under existing shelter (such as beneath a balcony or deep soffit) where weather exposure isn't a concern. For exposed positions on a house wall, the savings rarely justify the reduced longevity.

Pergola Awnings

A different category entirely. Rather than mounting flush to a wall, pergola awnings create a freestanding or wall-attached structure with a retractable fabric roof.

Think of them as a modern, flexible version of a traditional pergola. The fabric roof can be opened to let light through or closed for shade and, with some models, weather protection.

Advantages:

Can cover larger areas than traditional arm awnings
Creates a defined outdoor room
Some models (like the Markilux Pergola range) are rated for rain protection
More architectural presence
Can incorporate lighting, heating, and side screens

Considerations:

Significantly higher cost
Requires more substantial installation
Takes up more visual space
Planning permission may be needed for larger structures

Pergola awnings suit properties where you want to create a genuine outdoor living space rather than simply shading an existing patio. They're increasingly popular for extending the usable season of a garden, particularly when combined with heating.

Vertical Screens and Drop-Arm Awnings

These provide shade or privacy on vertical surfaces rather than overhead cover.

Vertical screens

Fabric screens that drop down vertically, typically used for:

Shading conservatory or large windows from low sun
Creating privacy screening on balconies or terraces
Blocking wind on one side of a covered area
Enclosing the sides of a pergola

They can be manually operated or motorised, and retract upward into a housing when not needed.

Drop-arm awnings

Similar to vertical screens but with arms that pivot outward at the bottom, holding the fabric away from the window at an angle. Common on European apartment balconies and useful where you want both shade and airflow.

Both types are often used in combination with overhead awnings to create a more complete outdoor room.

Fixed Canopies

Not retractable at all. Fixed canopies are permanent fabric or rigid structures that provide constant shade and some weather protection over doorways, windows, or small seating areas.

Advantages:

No moving parts to maintain or fail
Lower cost for small installations
Can be very durable
Traditional appearance suits period properties

Considerations:

No flexibility - shade is permanent
Fabric versions need periodic replacement
Less suitable for large areas

Fixed canopies work well for entrance porches, above shop fronts, or where you always want shade in a particular spot. For patios and entertaining areas, retractable options offer more flexibility.

Choosing the Right Type

A few questions help narrow down the options:

How large is the area you want to cover? Standard arm awnings work well up to about 6 metres wide and 3.5 metres projection. Larger areas may need a pergola system or multiple awnings.

How exposed is the mounting position? Exposed walls with no shelter above suggest cassette designs. Sheltered positions can work with semi-cassette or even open arm.

Do you want shade only, or weather protection too? Most awnings provide shade and can handle light showers if you retract them promptly. For genuine rain protection while you stay outside, pergola systems with appropriate fabric are the only real option.

What's your budget? Open arm awnings cost least, full cassette more, and pergolas significantly more again. But cheaper isn't always better value - a cassette awning that lasts 15 years costs less per year than an open design that needs replacing after 8.

Do you need side protection? Vertical screens can be added to most systems, either as original equipment or retrofitted.

Getting the Right Advice

Awning selection isn't just about type - it's also about size, fabric choice, mounting position, and control options. The best approach is to discuss your specific situation with someone who can see your property and understand what you're trying to achieve.

At GDCG, we supply and install awnings across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire. We can talk through the options and help you work out what makes sense for your home and budget.

Get in touch for a chat about awnings, or visit our Grantham showroom to see different awning types and how they operate.

GDCG supplies and installs awnings across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire. From compact patio shades to full pergola systems, we can help you find the right solution for your outdoor space. Contact us for a free survey and quote.