New Awning Means More Time Spent on the Patio
Background
Ferdi Pacelli and his partner love having a meal on the patio of their large six-bedroom home in Kings Langley. But after 14 years at the property, the constant glare from the sun was becoming a distraction.
The couple were looking for an awning – one that provided cover over their al fresco dining area in the back garden. SWR Home & Outdoor had supplied and installed their garage door, so the couple were more than happy to pick up the phone and talk to us again.
Ferdi, co-owner of Zaza Restaurants, said: “SWR have a good local reputation and I was impressed with how they looked after my garage door. I gave them a call and after a chat, they recommended a product for me.”
SWR gave an estimate of the cost based on the information Ferdi provided. We arranged a home survey to get the correct measurements and a more accurate quotation – this is a free service with no obligation to buy if the customer isn’t happy with the price.
Mr Pacelli agreed with the cost and a date for installation was organised.
The Products
We recommended the Markilux 990 as the ideal awning for his property. It has a compact design and is perfect for smaller patios that need shading from the sun. The 990 is what’s known as a ‘full-cassette awning’, so the folding arms and cover fully retract to create a solid oval-shaped casing for complete protection from the elements.
You can buy either manual or remotely operated versions of the 990. In both cases, the cover is fully adjustable and can be stopped at any point up to the maximum projection for complete control. There is also a range of devices that you can combine with your awning, including temperature sensors, timers and LED lighting to name just a few.
If you’re after a smaller yet perfectly formed awning for your patio, there’s nothing better than a Markilux 990.
The Installation
We identified that there was insufficient brickwork to support the awning. This could make the installation unsafe as awnings exert a lot of upward force when extended.
The solution was to fit Crocodilla spreader plates just below the brick detail to spread the weight down either side of the bi-folding doors. We also fixed a Vibrabox sensor inside the front profile. This clever device causes the awning to automatically retract when it gets too windy, ensuring the customer doesn’t have to lift a finger.
The homeowners can now enjoy al fresco dining on their patio in as much or as little shade as they like, all at the touch of a button. The awning has become such an important part of their home that the customers are surprised they didn’t have it fitted sooner!
“SWR were organised, friendly, tidy and perfect. I absolutely would recommend their services to everyone.”
Mr Pacelli