Hello everyone,
Summer is just around the corner, and we’re facing the issue of sunlight exposure.
We have a large window wall (southwest-facing) measuring nearly 8m by 2.5m (26 ft by 8 ft), and now we want to install some kind of sunshade.
An awning is currently our choice: what should we consider here? Which color is most suitable? I wanted a solid red, but apparently that color has the most problems with fading outdoors. Anthracite? Would that be too dark, and does it fade a lot?
What about dirt and stains — does it get warmer under a gray awning compared to, for example, a yellow one? Should we go for a full cassette or a half cassette awning? The half cassette seems to have the advantage that I can retract it just enough to stop at bird droppings and then wipe them off easily.
We have already arranged the electrical setup. The requirement is that it must protect the terrace and living room from the sun. We would also like to be able to sit under the awning during light rain. Does a rain and storm sensor make sense? Would you recommend having a light installed in the awning?
The windows will be replaced — the frames will be anthracite and fitted with external venetian blinds (is that the correct term for those slatted blinds?). But this will take a while and is quite expensive.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions. I don’t want to have the friendly salespeople come to the house unprepared.
Best regards,
Claudia
Summer is just around the corner, and we’re facing the issue of sunlight exposure.
We have a large window wall (southwest-facing) measuring nearly 8m by 2.5m (26 ft by 8 ft), and now we want to install some kind of sunshade.
An awning is currently our choice: what should we consider here? Which color is most suitable? I wanted a solid red, but apparently that color has the most problems with fading outdoors. Anthracite? Would that be too dark, and does it fade a lot?
What about dirt and stains — does it get warmer under a gray awning compared to, for example, a yellow one? Should we go for a full cassette or a half cassette awning? The half cassette seems to have the advantage that I can retract it just enough to stop at bird droppings and then wipe them off easily.
We have already arranged the electrical setup. The requirement is that it must protect the terrace and living room from the sun. We would also like to be able to sit under the awning during light rain. Does a rain and storm sensor make sense? Would you recommend having a light installed in the awning?
The windows will be replaced — the frames will be anthracite and fitted with external venetian blinds (is that the correct term for those slatted blinds?). But this will take a while and is quite expensive.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions. I don’t want to have the friendly salespeople come to the house unprepared.
Best regards,
Claudia
I hope you don’t mind me joining in with my concern here.
We are currently looking into awnings as well. It should be 5m (16.4 ft) wide with a minimum projection of 4m (13.1 ft).
For installation on an unprotected south-facing wall, we would prefer a full cassette.
It will be operated via a KNX shading actuator, so a simple motor will suffice. Somfy or similar systems are therefore not needed. A weather station including a wind sensor is already in place.
We don’t need lighting, infrared heaters, or any other extras. Just a straightforward awning that provides shade and can stay out even during a sudden rain shower. Using simple logic in KNX, it should also be possible to program the awning to extend automatically to dry when it has been retracted while wet.
Of course, it would be nice if we also liked the look, but we are rather indifferent to design. Functionality and value for money clearly take priority over aesthetics. Above all, the price should not be negatively impacted by prettier design.
Yesterday we visited our window manufacturer, who sells Markilux awnings.
We looked at several models and requested quotations. The pricing is quite transparent. We were always told the base price plus an additional charge for the housing in a custom RAL color. Installation is a flat rate of 400€ (approximately 430 USD) net including materials. There is a 25% discount on list price and installation (I really dislike these discount wars) plus 3% cash discount. The following prices are all all-inclusive, including tax and installation:
Markilux 970 (500*350cm (197*138 inches)): Standard 3,627€ / RAL color 3,875€
Square design, a simple rectangular cassette when closed, which would fit the house better, but only 350cm (138 inches) projection.
Uses the Bionic tendon instead of twin chains, which is supposed to be quieter and longer-lasting.
Markilux 990 (500*300cm (197*118 inches)): Standard 2,582€ / RAL color 2,830€
Not the most attractive, and only 300cm (118 inches) projection. Comes with twin chains, Bionic tendon optional. This one was immediately ruled out because of the limited projection.
Markilux 1710 (500*350cm (197*138 inches)): Standard 2,925€ / RAL color 3,188€
Probably the classic model, and it shows.
Only 350cm (138 inches) projection. Comes with Bionic tendon.
Markilux 5010 (500*400cm (197*157 inches)): Standard 3,877€ / RAL color 4,139€
The cheapest option with 400cm (157 inches) projection, and quite nice looking as well.
With twin chains, Bionic tendon optional. Our favorite.
Markilux 6000 (500*400cm (197*157 inches)): Standard 4,196€ / RAL color 4,457€
Seems very similar to the 5010, but the suspension is more elegant with no visible screws, etc.
Comes standard with the Bionic tendon.
What are your thoughts on this? They’re all damn expensive. DIY from a big box store or ordering online with self-installation is out of the question for me with something this big and complicated. I’d rather spend a bit more now and have peace of mind for the next 15–20 years.
I’m wondering whether the new Bionic tendon is really necessary, especially since it apparently posed such a challenge that even the Fraunhofer Institute gave up on developing it. As I understand, adding the Bionic tendon to the 5010 would cause an extra charge, so the price difference to the 6000 would not be very big...
I also have two other Markilux dealers in the larger area that I will now ask for alternative quotes.
What do you think of other manufacturers? Two dealers supply Weinor, a friend recommended Lewens, and Warema is also available here.
Not so easy to decide...
We are currently looking into awnings as well. It should be 5m (16.4 ft) wide with a minimum projection of 4m (13.1 ft).
For installation on an unprotected south-facing wall, we would prefer a full cassette.
It will be operated via a KNX shading actuator, so a simple motor will suffice. Somfy or similar systems are therefore not needed. A weather station including a wind sensor is already in place.
We don’t need lighting, infrared heaters, or any other extras. Just a straightforward awning that provides shade and can stay out even during a sudden rain shower. Using simple logic in KNX, it should also be possible to program the awning to extend automatically to dry when it has been retracted while wet.
Of course, it would be nice if we also liked the look, but we are rather indifferent to design. Functionality and value for money clearly take priority over aesthetics. Above all, the price should not be negatively impacted by prettier design.
Yesterday we visited our window manufacturer, who sells Markilux awnings.
We looked at several models and requested quotations. The pricing is quite transparent. We were always told the base price plus an additional charge for the housing in a custom RAL color. Installation is a flat rate of 400€ (approximately 430 USD) net including materials. There is a 25% discount on list price and installation (I really dislike these discount wars) plus 3% cash discount. The following prices are all all-inclusive, including tax and installation:
Markilux 970 (500*350cm (197*138 inches)): Standard 3,627€ / RAL color 3,875€
Square design, a simple rectangular cassette when closed, which would fit the house better, but only 350cm (138 inches) projection.
Uses the Bionic tendon instead of twin chains, which is supposed to be quieter and longer-lasting.
Markilux 990 (500*300cm (197*118 inches)): Standard 2,582€ / RAL color 2,830€
Not the most attractive, and only 300cm (118 inches) projection. Comes with twin chains, Bionic tendon optional. This one was immediately ruled out because of the limited projection.
Markilux 1710 (500*350cm (197*138 inches)): Standard 2,925€ / RAL color 3,188€
Probably the classic model, and it shows.
Only 350cm (138 inches) projection. Comes with Bionic tendon.
Markilux 5010 (500*400cm (197*157 inches)): Standard 3,877€ / RAL color 4,139€
The cheapest option with 400cm (157 inches) projection, and quite nice looking as well.
With twin chains, Bionic tendon optional. Our favorite.
Markilux 6000 (500*400cm (197*157 inches)): Standard 4,196€ / RAL color 4,457€
Seems very similar to the 5010, but the suspension is more elegant with no visible screws, etc.
Comes standard with the Bionic tendon.
What are your thoughts on this? They’re all damn expensive. DIY from a big box store or ordering online with self-installation is out of the question for me with something this big and complicated. I’d rather spend a bit more now and have peace of mind for the next 15–20 years.
I’m wondering whether the new Bionic tendon is really necessary, especially since it apparently posed such a challenge that even the Fraunhofer Institute gave up on developing it. As I understand, adding the Bionic tendon to the 5010 would cause an extra charge, so the price difference to the 6000 would not be very big...
I also have two other Markilux dealers in the larger area that I will now ask for alternative quotes.
What do you think of other manufacturers? Two dealers supply Weinor, a friend recommended Lewens, and Warema is also available here.
Not so easy to decide...
The cable would cost an additional €70.
What I find much more important is the statement from another company that they no longer install awnings on brick walls made of T8/T9 bricks because they have had so many problems with the bricks not holding up over time!
Above the shutter box on the window, we do have a concrete overhang where it could potentially be mounted, but this would need to be checked on site. Especially since the overhang is only about 4m (13 feet) wide, and the awning is planned to be 5m (16 feet) wide.
The staff member said they have often had issues where the brick breaks off after some time. Many competitors don’t mention this because it usually holds up for the first two years and then causes problems later.
Man, and I thought: “Better build solid, then you won’t have any problems fastening things.”
Is it really that problematic?
What I find much more important is the statement from another company that they no longer install awnings on brick walls made of T8/T9 bricks because they have had so many problems with the bricks not holding up over time!
Above the shutter box on the window, we do have a concrete overhang where it could potentially be mounted, but this would need to be checked on site. Especially since the overhang is only about 4m (13 feet) wide, and the awning is planned to be 5m (16 feet) wide.
The staff member said they have often had issues where the brick breaks off after some time. Many competitors don’t mention this because it usually holds up for the first two years and then causes problems later.
Man, and I thought: “Better build solid, then you won’t have any problems fastening things.”
Is it really that problematic?
B
brotpeter26 Feb 2019 15:49matte1987 schrieb:
Man, and I thought: "Build with solid construction, then you won’t have any problems attaching something."
Is it really that problematic?Yes, it is. Definitely ask how exactly the fastening will be done. Ideally, get a calculation that proves the forces involved (at 5m (16 feet) wide by 4m (13 feet) long, quite a lot of force can build up—several tons if the wind picks up...) can be properly handled.
Usually, threaded rods are bonded into the masonry... all of this can be calculated...