Choosing the Right Outdoor Awnings for Your Cafe or Restaurant

Whether you run a family restaurant in the suburbs or a cafe in the heart of the city, brand-new awnings can make a major difference to the daily operation of your business. Once installed, awnings allow for additional marketing and create comfortable outdoor spaces for your patrons.

Because there are so many different styles and types available, choosing the right awnings is very important. While some styles offer excellent shade and UV resistance, they can’t withstand heavy winds and extreme weather conditions. 

With this in mind, we’re here to break down the various types of awnings and help you make an informed decision for your cafe, restaurant, or bar.

Purpose and Functionality

The first step in selecting outdoor awnings is determining their purpose and functionality. A little planning goes a long way, and it’s always worthwhile to stop and think about why you’re investing in awnings, how much space you need to cover, and what functional purpose they will be able to serve.

Alfresco Dining Spaces

If your aim is to create an inviting outdoor dining area, consider retractable awnings that offer flexibility in adjusting sunlight exposure throughout the day. For instance, a restaurant situated in a sunny location may benefit from motorised retractable awnings equipped with sun sensors. These awnings automatically extend or retract based on the intensity of sunlight at different times of the day.

Weather Protection

In cities like Melbourne, where the weather changes on a coin flip, people may find comfort in the stability of fixed awnings; made from durable materials like aluminium and PVC coated fabrics.. Businesses that face regular or sustained tumultuous weather may benefit from these awnings, such as seaside cafes that are routinely battered by exposure to salt water and strong winds. Remember, not all awnings are the same and some are more susceptible to wind damage than others.

Our team has supplied and installed high-quality awnings across Australia for more than 30 years. If you need a little guidance or advice, make sure to contact us for any questions about folding arm awnings in Melbourne.

Style and Design

First impressions count, and awnings can be the first thing that people notice when they drive or walk past your business. Impressions are even more important if you’re located in a busy shopping strip or laneway. This is why it's always worth finding a style that best suits your overall aesthetic. These days, awnings are available in countless different colours, patterns, sizes, and styles.

Here are some practical examples of how to pair awnings with your cafe or restaurant's branding, style, and image.

Theme-based Awnings

If your cafe or restaurant has a specific theme or concept, such as vintage, modern, or coastal, select awnings that reflect and enhance that theme. While a traditional Italian restaurant on Lygon St might prefer a classic monochromatic colour scheme, a Bayside cafe may want a more vibrant and eye-catching design.

Unique Branding Opportunities

Outdoor awnings present excellent branding opportunities for your business. Here, custom awnings can include your logo, brand colours, or promotional messages to increase brand visibility and recognition. Trendy urban cafes often  feature sleek awnings adorned with the cafe's logo and vibrant colours to attract passersby and reinforce brand identity.

Size and Coverage

Determining the appropriate size and coverage of outdoor awnings is very important. Used properly,  this allows you to use the space efficiently and provide adequate protection for diners.

Space-Efficiency

Evaluate the available outdoor space and seating layout to determine the size and placement of awnings. For instance, a cafe with limited sidewalk space will require more narrow, wall-mounted awnings that provide shade without obstructing pedestrians and passersby.

Sun Exposure

Consider where the sun hits your building as the day passes. Awnings should provide sufficient coverage to shield patrons from direct sunlight during peak hours. For example, a west-facing restaurant terrace might require larger awnings with extended projections to mitigate afternoon sun exposure.

Fabric Selection

Choosing the right fabric for your outdoor awnings is crucial for durability, weather resistance, and aesthetic appeal.

Durability

If durability is your concern, we recommend going with high-quality UV-resistant textiles that withstand prolonged exposure to sunlight without fading or deteriorating. Alternatively, acrylic fabrics treated with UV inhibitors offer excellent durability and colour retention, making them ideal for outdoor use in sunny climates.

Weather Resistance

Some fabrics are treated to reliable protection against rain, wind, and moisture. For example, waterproof and mildew-resistant fabrics like solution-dyed polyester are suitable choices for awnings exposed to frequent rainfall or high humidity levels. As we noted earlier, however, it’s important not to leave your awnings exposed to heavy rain and other extreme weather conditions.

Aesthetic Appeal

Fabric selection and visual appeal go hand-in-hand. It is wise to consider the colour, pattern, and texture of awning fabrics. This selection process will further enhance the overall visual appeal of your business. Vibrant solid colours or striped patterns can add a pop of colour and visual interest to outdoor dining spaces.

Additional Features to Consider

The functionality of outdoor awnings has come a long way in recent years, and these additional features can improve the overall experience for both your guests and your staff.

Motorisation and Automation

Motorised or automated awning systems come equipped with remote controls, wind sensors, and timers. This makes them easy and convenient to operate. Motorised retractable awnings will allow your staff to adjust shading levels with ease, while wind sensors automatically retract awnings during gusty conditions to prevent damage.

Overall, the flexibility afforded by these features can be invaluable, especially when it comes to ongoing maintenance.

Heating and Lighting

Another approach is to integrate heating and lighting elements into your outdoor awnings to extend dining hours and create a cosy ambiance. For instance, infrared heaters mounted on awning frames provide warmth during chilly evenings. In addition, integrated LED lighting is also a way to add more visibility to your outdoor spaces.

Exploring Some of Your Options

Heavy Duty Folding Arm Awnings

As you can probably tell from the name, heavy-duty folding arm awnings offer some of the best weather resistance of any style on the market. Unlike light-duty awnings, they have a greater ability to withstand different weather conditions. 

Heavy-duty awnings come with sturdy, robust arms that can generally hold up in strong winds or heavy rain. While many awnings come with 5-year manufacturer warranties, this doesn’t mean that they don’t need to be treated with care. Strong winds, rain, hail, storms, or exposure to ocean salt spray can all compromise the overall quality.

Full Cassette Style Folding Arm Awnings

A full-cassette awning is both a versatile and adaptable option. These awnings come with a unique design that allows the owner to enclose the fabric, arms, and roller mechanisms to protect the awning from harsh weather conditions. 

After your awning is fully closed, the fabric will roll inside the cassette while the arms simultaneously fold inwards. Extreme weather conditions can cause serious damage to folding awnings, which is why this cassette-style mechanism is so invaluable. 

Full cassette awnings can also be expanded to cover larger areas, such as beer gardens or seating on the footpath. If bad weather is predicted, your restaurant staff can enclose it to protect it from wind and rain.

Retractable Roof Systems

The retractable roof system is the ultimate for flexibility in outdoor dining and alfresco areas. This makes them a versatile choice for patios, decks, and commercial environments like restaurants and cafes.

These systems allow you to retract and expand to match the conditions outside. For example, if your outdoor space is in the direct line of the warm afternoon sun, simply activate the retractable roof and your patrons will receive some relief.

Retractable roof systems can be controlled manually, or electronically through remotes that are generally easy to use.
In a recent article, we explored the key differences between folding arm awnings and retractable roof systems. Here, we covered the various differences between the two, as well as the unique benefits and requirements of each option.

FAQs

Can I use my folding arm awning in windy conditions?

Folding arm awnings are not suitable for use in windy conditions and are not guaranteed against storm damage. Higher quality heavy duty folding arm awnings are more resistant to wind than light duty units.

What sizes are available?

We supply folding arm awnings from 2m to 12m wide. Arm lengths are from 1.5m to 4.1m. A super heavy-duty unit may have arms of up to 5.1m extension.

What warranties apply to folding arm awnings?

Awning hardware is warrantied against manufacturing faults for 5 years and is limited to replacement of parts found to be faulty.

The electrical motors used will have a 5 year or greater warranty depending on the manufacturer. If you have any more questions or need folding arm awnings installed in Melbourne, reach out to us today. The Indoor Outdoor team can also supply top-of-the-line vertical blinds, market umbrellas, and more!