ᐅ Patio Cover or Awning?

Hello everyone,

we are currently considering shading/covering options for our terrace.

We have a terrace on the south side that is 4 meters (13 feet) deep and just under 8 meters (26 feet) wide.

However, the terrace is arranged in such a way that we do not want or need to cover or shade the entire space, as that would be excessive and unnecessary.

An important factor for us is a depth of about 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet), preferably 4 meters (13 feet). In terms of width, the awning should ideally be around 5 to 6 meters (16 to 20 feet).

Basically, all our terrace furniture is weatherproof, so I generally leave everything in place year-round (whether winter or summer). In winter, everything is made weatherproof accordingly, but in summer, it all stays outside.

Considering the price ratio, as well as the installation difficulty, effort, and space requirements, a proper awning is a reasonable alternative for me.
I don't really see the advantages of a permanent terrace roof.

However, I do have some concerns regarding an awning:

- We experience very strong winds in our new build area. Can an awning with an extended depth of 3 to 4 meters (10 to 13 feet) really withstand strong winds? Are awnings generally rainproof enough to allow sitting outside and grilling comfortably even in light rain?

Has anyone gone through similar considerations and can share experiences regarding awnings?

I look forward to any input on this topic!

Patio furniture is generally weather-resistant, but furniture still deteriorates when constantly exposed to the elements. Naturally, higher-quality materials withstand this better than simpler ones. At first, we had basic wooden furniture. After five years under a covered terrace in our old apartment, it still looked really good. After moving into the house, we left it outside for one or two summers, and it was basically ruined. For a few years now, we have had a covered terrace and wouldn’t want to be without it. Ideally, it should be about 4m (13 feet) deep.

Electric awnings are often combined with wind and rain sensors, probably for a good reason. When it rains during vacations in southern countries, you can often see water pooling on the awning. I can’t contribute any personal experience with this, though.

Musketier schrieb:

Patio furniture is usually weather-resistant, but it still deteriorates if it’s constantly exposed to the elements. Of course, better quality materials hold up longer than cheaper ones. We started with simple wooden furniture. After 5 years under a covered area in our old apartment, it still looked quite good. But after moving into the house, the furniture spent one or two summers outside and was basically ruined. We’ve had a covered area for a few years now and wouldn’t want to do without it. It should ideally be about 4m (13 feet) deep if possible.

Electric awnings are often equipped with wind and rain sensors. Probably for good reason. When it rains during holidays in southern countries, you often see water pooling on the awning. I don’t have personal experience with that, though.

Our lounge area is in a spot that can’t really be covered anyway. Also, we have a full metal structure here—whether it’s exposed to weather or not probably doesn’t affect that part.

The same applies to our patio table (aluminum frame). Everything is quite inexpensive and even the tabletops have little to do with real wood. Honestly, I don’t see the added value just for the furniture itself. A grill or similar can simply be stored in the garden shed over the winter, and that’s fine.

My main concern is just the rain and wind for the awning—that’s really my main worry.

As you said, I’m not sure how water pooling behaves or whether strong winds can damage the awning, especially with a larger one (because there’s more surface area exposed).

Prager91 schrieb:

Can an awning with a 3-4 meter (10-13 feet) extension really withstand strong winds?

Do you really sit outside during a storm, or do you retract the awning in bad weather (a wind sensor helps as well)?

Prager91 schrieb:

Are awnings also reasonably rainproof, so you can sit outside and grill even in light rain?

Yes.

Last year, I installed a 4x3 meter (13x10 feet) awning at my ex’s place. It’s good quality. No issues with wind and light rain. Strong wind and/or heavy rain means staying inside anyway. Normal rain showers are no problem.

Prager91 schrieb:

Our "lounge" is located in an area that basically can never be covered anyway. Also, there is a complete metal structure here – whether it is exposed to the weather or not probably doesn’t matter to that part.

Anything that is permanently exposed to the weather and direct sunlight will suffer from it. What interests me more is why the seating area is placed there, where it wouldn’t be covered anyway, or why I would need a roof somewhere I never sit.

As always, everyone can have a different opinion or come to a different decision. I have always built solid patio coverings for myself, either with a glass roof or, as I have now, with a "dark" roof. I find it comfortable that the furniture stays dry underneath (although still partly exposed to weather and moisture), so I can always use that area of the house dry.

In the past, we had an awning under the glass roof, equipped with a sun sensor. For me, living in Baden-Württemberg, that was a pointless investment, and we stopped using it soon because no sensor or automation can be adjusted exactly as I would want or decide manually.

When the awning is out, that means I am out of the house and can respond to wind or rain. It’s hard to imagine leaving the awning out all the time regardless of where you live. Currently, we also have a nice garden umbrella that can withstand quite a bit of wind; still, we tend to close it early for safety, because the noise it makes can be quite unsettling.

So the basic questions remain: What is your goal, and why are the seating furniture placed outside the area where you are actually looking for shade?

Shading alone is possible with an awning that you roll in when it rains. A 24sqm (258 sq ft) awning would be quite a large one, though.

Prager91 schrieb:

So is our terrace table (frame made of aluminum).

If it’s simple furniture, check the screws. Our neighbors also had aluminum furniture with steel screws.
Then all the rust water ran inside the table leg onto the patio slabs and left unsightly stains.

There are more advantages; for example, we have garden slippers by the door instead of, like at the beginning, in the living room. It stays cozy longer in the evening under the roof (but that might also be the case with an awning). Some neighbors, for example, have installed a TV on the terrace.
Our grill is used all year round on the terrace, whether we eat there or bring the food inside afterward.
Having a roof makes you much more flexible, but of course it is also much more expensive. It probably never pays off compared to the faster wear of furniture, but it is definitely more comfortable.

There are already several threads with pros and cons about roofing. Maybe you could read up on those as well.