Here we go through 6 of the top misconceptions about awnings, to help you make sense of it all and make an informed decision.

1. They’re not useful
This couldn’t be further from the truth. Awnings & patio roofs are useful for both sun and rain, and for whatever your needs might be. The louvered slats on an adjustable louvre awning can open to let in sunlight, and close to provide shade or block the rain.

Our awnings/patio roofs feature a built-in gutter system designed to channel rainfall, then distribute it safely.
Lifestyle awnings can also be fitted with these add-ons:

LED lights

We’ll fit lights into any style of roof or awnings, ready to be connected by a certified electrician.

Coloured fascia’s
Our poles, beams and gutters come in standard marble white, charcoal or bronze. A coloured tiered fascia can also be added to the awning.

Drop blinds

For added weather protection and privacy, drop blinds can be added in either canvas or Sunworker. We have reputable suppliers that we work with.

Aluminium door & windows

Patio roofs/awnings can be enclosed with aluminium doors or windows to form an outside room. Our preferred specialists in this field will bring you a top-class finish.

Privacy screens
Slated or solid screens can be added to bring you more privacy from your neighbours.

Skylights

Need more light on your patio or carport? We can add a skylight to your ceiling roof for a beautiful blue sky and stars view

2. They’re a lot of maintenance
This depends on what material it’s made of, which you might have guessed.

On an aluminium awning/patio roof the maintenance is minimal to none, as no sanding or repainting will be required.

The easiest way to clean a Lifestyle Awning is to gently wash it down with a garden hose. Occasional rain will do the job for you, but otherwise gentle mopping (with car body detergent if appropriate) can be used to remove bird droppings and other debris.

If you have any surrounding trees, plants or bushes that may hang over or grow alongside your awning, be sure to trim back any overgrown branches that could potentially break off and fall on top of your awning or cause an excess of leaves, twigs and other forms of smaller debris to start collecting.

Before the rainy season check your gutters – you can use a ladder to access the patio roof/awning gutters (don’t climb onto the awning) and check if there are debris free or you can conduct a flood test – temporally block the downpipe with rags & then fill the gutters with water from the hose pipe, once the gutters are half full, switch off the water & check the inside of the awning for any leaks (as the awning has hidden box gutters the gutter issues will manifest on the inside of the awning). Don’t forget to remove the rags from the downpipe. Balls & toys are also known to block the gutters & downpipe.

3. They don’t hold up to weather
Not only can an awning/patio roof system stand the weather, but it’s actually built to do just that. 

Under normal weather conditions, even steady rain, your adjustable aluminium louvre awning itself will not let rain in. In light rain, the louvres can remain partially open for ventilation, but for heavier rain, the fully closed position will block out rain, with the louvres overlapping each other. In heavy pours, you may rarely get a fine spray through & if a downpour is heavy enough for your house gutter to overflow, your awning gutter may do the same.

Rainproof does not mean totally waterproof – remember an adjustable louvre awning is an adjustable, opening roof. It should be remembered that an adjustable louvre awning is not & cannot be as waterproof as a conventional fixed & tiled roof. Whilst your adjustable louvre awning brings the benefit of an indoor-outdoor area, it is not 100% proof against severe weather conditions.

Having said all this, the Adjustable Aluminium Louvre roof is by far Lifestyle Awning Solutions’ top seller & we have hundreds of very satisfied Adjustable Aluminium Louvre awning clients who have been enjoying the benefits of a louvre awning for many years.

4. They’re not worth the cost
There is actually great ROI involved with an awning/patio roof.

Our awnings/patio roofs are made of the highest quality, and we always focus on getting the job right the first time, so that you can get the most out of your investment. The upfront costs of an awning are returned with every minute of enjoyment you receive from it over the years.

If you don’t think you’ll get enough years of enjoyment from your awning, it’s also a great investment that will increase the value of your home.

Covered patio areas can add real estate value in a few different ways.

• For starters, a patio will add an extra useable outdoor living space that can be enjoyed with family and friends.
• A patio can often increase the curb appeal of a home.
• A new patio can increase the value of your home by add extra square footage. This can make your home more spacious and give you more room to grow.
• By adding a patio to your home, you are adding a valuable amenity that can make your home more appealing to potential buyers and boost home resale value.

5. They take a long time to install
The time to install depends on the project, but our average time is usually around 2-7 days. Within a week, you could be already enjoying your Lifestyle Awning!

This depends on the design & size of your patio roof/awning. Typically, a standard 6x3m patio roof/awning takes 1 to 2 days to install.

The following factors influence the installation time:

• Style of awning: An Adjustable Aluminium Louvre awning (that can open & close), a Fixed IBR roof or a Patio Ceiling Roof (patio roof & ceiling in one)
• Size of awning: +/- 15m2 can be installed per day.
• Travel time to installation: We are based in Bellville, so the further away from Bellville you are the more travel time is needed which effects the installation time.
• Accessories: Things like adding lights & motors also add to the installation time.
• Weather: As it is an outdoor installation & we work with power tools; rainy days will delay the installation.

Your quote will indicate the predicted number of installation days.

6. Their lifespan is short
Awnings are built to last, and our work is always backed up by our quality guarantee.

One year workmanship guarantee (this give you all 4 seasons to ensure that the installation is sound).

10-year factory guarantee on all aluminium components.

3-year factory guarantee on all zincalum products.

With proper maintenance and care, your awning/patio roof can provide lasting value and enjoyment for many years to come.

Conclusion:
Don’t let misconceptions deter you from exploring the benefits of awnings/patio roofs for your Cape Town home. By debunking common myths and providing accurate information, we hope to empower homeowners like you to make informed decisions about enhancing your outdoor living space. Remember, awnings/patio roofs offer usefulness, require minimal maintenance, withstand weather conditions, provide excellent ROI, have reasonable installation times, and boast impressive lifespans. With these facts in mind, you can confidently invest in an awning/patio roof and enjoy an enhanced outdoor experience for years to come.

Why not contact us to book your FREE design consultation & quote?