Nothing beats the feeling of cooling down in the shade of your very own awning or pergola on a hot summer’s day. Both of these outdoor structures offer an excellent level of sun protection so that you can comfortably enjoy your outdoor space even in the highest temperatures. They can even keep you sheltered from rain and strong winds as well, allowing you to make the most of your garden all year round.
However, despite serving a similar purpose, there are some distinct differences between an awning vs pergola that you need to know in order to make sure you’re choosing the right option for you.
It’s likely that one will be a better fit for your garden than the other based on a number of factors, including available space, aesthetic preference, and budget.
As the UK’s leading and most trusted outdoor living company with 25 years of experience in the industry, Open Space Concepts are experts in designing and installing a wide range of bespoke awnings and outdoor living structures.
In this guide, we will help you to decide whether an awning or a pergola would be the best fit for your outdoor space by considering the advantages of each.
Awning vs Pergola: What’s the difference?
Awnings are retractable roof structures made from durable fabrics. They are attached to the side of the house or building and can be extended or retracted to provide shade as needed, making them a practical all-weather solution.
Pergolas, on the other hand, can either be attached to the side of the building or built as freestanding structures elsewhere in your outdoor area. These are more permanent structures that cannot be put away when not in use and are often used for aesthetic or decorative purposes.
Awnings and pergolas each offer their own set of benefits:
The benefits of installing a bespoke awning in your garden
Conserves space
Awnings can be retracted when not in use, which makes them perfect for outdoor areas that are on the smaller side. When your retractable awning is folded away, you’ll have the space to use your outdoor space in a variety of different ways, rather than being limited to only using it as a sheltered seating area.
Most modern awnings are operated by remote control, which means you can transform your outdoor living area at just the touch of a button to make the space work for you.
By contrast, pergolas are permanent structures, which means your outdoor space will become a lot less versatile if you choose to instal one.
Resistant to strong winds and rain
Contemporary awnings are made from durable materials that ensure they can withstand adverse weather conditions such as strong winds and heavy rain. Robust aluminium arms provide strong stability and the fabric is made from nonfading, water-resistant, dirt-proof acrylic, a material renowned for its outstanding durability and weather-resistant properties.
When your awning is not in use, it can be retracted into a full cassette which fully encloses the awning and provides the highest level of protection from rain, wind, frost, and snow. Semi cassette awnings and open awnings can also provide an adequate level of protection for outdoor spaces that are already quite well sheltered by fences or a roof overhang above the installation.
Highly customisable
Modern awnings are highly customisable, allowing you to create a truly bespoke structure that matches the exterior aesthetic of your home and looks stunning in your outdoor space. Not many people realise just how versatile an awning can be in terms of appearance because traditionally there weren’t so many different options available.
At Open Space Concepts we offer 8 different styles of awning including the award-winning Markilux MX 6000 awning and premium Umbra awning, each with over 200 fabric options to choose from for maximum personalisation. We can help you pick out the perfect option that will improve the overall visual appeal of your outdoor space.
A more cost-effective solution
When it comes to awnings vs pergolas, awnings usually cost less to instal because they have a less complex design. This makes them a more suitable solution for those who are on a budget as they will still provide an excellent level of protection from the elements at just a fraction of the price of a pergola.
Pergolas can be particularly expensive if you opt to add additional features such as sliding glass doors, drop-down screens, or LED lighting.
Of course, the price of your awning will depend on the style and fabric you choose, but options are available to meet all budget requirements. It’s best to invest in an awning made from high-quality materials (which can be slightly more expensive) than to choose cheaper options that might not be as weather-resistant.
Low maintenance
Awnings are very low maintenance, requiring very little cleaning to keep them in pristine condition.
All Open Space Concepts awnings are made from nonfading, dirt-proof, water-resistant acrylic, which ensures that any build-up of dirt is kept to a minimum and the fabric won’t become mouldy from persistent usage in wet weather conditions.
By choosing a full cassette for your awning, you also ensure that the structure will be totally protected from the elements when not in use, which further reduces the need for cleaning.
Quick and easy to instal
Retractable awnings are quick and easy to instal, taking less than a day to fit regardless of the size and materials you choose.
The installation process is incredibly straightforward because all that’s required is to attach the cassette to the outside of your home.
The benefits of choosing a pergola for your outdoor space
Greater all-round weather protection
Although modern awnings (such as the Markilux MX3 awning and Erhardt KD awning) are extremely strong and durable to prevent them from sustaining damage in wet and windy conditions, pergolas can provide an extra level of protection thanks to their more permanent structure.
Drop-down screens or sliding glass doors can be added onto the side of your bespoke sloped pergola to ensure an even greater level of protection from side winds and heavy rain, and can also act as privacy screens to prevent prying eyes from looking in.
Can be freestanding or wall-mounted
While awnings can only be attached to the outside of your home, pergolas can be constructed anywhere in your outdoor space as freestanding structures. This can make them a good option if you have areas such as pools or hot tubs that you want to shelter.
Bear in mind that pergolas are usually only suitable for larger outdoor areas that have lots of available space. If your outdoor space is on the smaller side and consists mostly of patio, then an awning would be more suitable to help you create a beautiful space to relax and unwind much closer to the house.
Lots of customisation options
Modern pergolas allow for a high degree of customisation, enabling you to create a wonderfully unique structure that meets your requirements.
Pergolas can be powder coated to any RAL colour and can have numerous additional features added to make the space more comfortable, including LED spotlights, integrated heating systems, and retractable roofs.
Increased living space
Pergolas are permanent structures, which means they are perfect for creating an outdoor living space that can be used all year round with no set-up required.
Any furniture under your pergola will generally be well enough protected for you to leave it where it is even when the pergola is not in use, especially if you choose to have drop-down screens or sliding glass doors installed.
Awnings, on the other hand, can take a little more time to set up because you may have to store your outdoor furniture away when the awning is not in use to prevent weather damage.
Create your dream electric awning with Open Space Concepts
While the type of structure you choose ultimately depends on your specific requirements and aesthetic preferences, awnings are generally considered to be a more practical option when it comes to the awning vs pergola debate.
If you’re looking for a way to add shade and protection to your outdoor living space, you should consider investing in an awning. These sleek and modern structures are not only incredibly versatile and weather resistant but can also be installed in outdoor spaces of any size and tailored to meet your budget requirements.
Open Space Concepts are the UK’s leading outdoor living company, designing and installing bespoke state-of-the-art awnings for customers up and down the country. Choose from thousands of design combinations to make the awning truly your own and discover an exceptional level of customer service that you won’t find anywhere else.
You can even stop by our outdoor living showroom to see our beautiful awnings in action or dive into our range of exceptional case studies to view projects completed all over the UK that we’re particularly proud of, including this stunning cassette awning installation in Sheffield.To receive an accurate quote for your patio awning project, make an enquiry today.
