Pulling Power

The correct installation of a patio awning is equally as important, if not more in some respects than the quality of the patio awning itself. Containing powerful spring loaded arms and weighing in some instances more than 100kg, a patio awning in essence is like a sail on the side of your property, exposed to gusts of winds and all kinds of strains and stresses.

Quality patio awnings represent a significant investment, one that should last a lifetime but a poor installation can not only lead to dissatisfaction but can be extremely dangerous with in the worst instances the patio awning collapsing from the side of your property, or even worse the wall the awning is attached to collapsing.

In theory buildings are not designed to have patio awnings on the side of them, projecting out in some instances upto 4m or even more. However, by using the correct anchoring method and a competent installer, patio awnings can be safely installed to virtually any property.

So what types of fixings should be used?

Patio awnings are usually mounted to masonry structures and therefore for the purpose of this article we will focus our attention on the anchoring options for this type of structure which include hollow bricks, solid bricks and concrete blocks. There is not a hard and fast, one fixing for all, rule for every application.

What is important to remember is that as an awning extends and retracts it is creating hi-torque at its load points (where the arms attach to the inside of the awning) and subsequently this strain is put onto the fixing plate directly behind. Couple this with the additional stress created from acceptable wind levels and gusts of stronger winds and this load can be as great as over a third of a tonne which is spread across 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or more fixing bolts in each bracket dependent on the system.

Any type of fixing that simply grips or expands onto the brick or block has the potential to come loose over a period of time, or cause weaker bricks / blocks to crack. This in turn could lead to the awning pulling away from the wall with horrific consequences. These types of fixings which are often used for speed and low cost can include but are not limited to rawl type bolts, sleeve bolts and coach bolts.

On the other (safer) hand, resin bonded anchors (threaded steel rods) offer a stress free anchorage which is usually stronger than the base material itself. Commonly used for the anchoring of structural steel such as columns, beams, safety barriers and railings, resin bonded anchors provide a premium anchoring solution with maximum load capabilities.

There are different types of resin depending on the application, for example hollow and solid bricks will use a different type of resin due to their composition then cracked or un-cracked concrete blocks. Resin is normally injected into the hole drilled for the anchor (which I should point out must be thoroughly cleaned out for the resin to set). Two chemical components mix together through the vanes in the tube nozzle before it enters the hole and seeps into the pores of the base material when the anchor is then inserted. When the resin is cured, which will depend on the temperature, they have formed a stress free bond of the anchor (threaded steel rod) to the brick/block in which they are inserted.

You may have guessed, not only does this type of fixing method take considerably longer to do, but it costs more too, however, it will guarantee, if done correctly, the safest installation of a patio awning to your property.

And to pre-empt a question, no, patio awnings should not be installed by competent diy enthusiasts, builders or even engineers, it is best to leave it to the professionals in the field of exterior blinds and awnings.

To finish off, a useful pointer; ask to see examples of actual (not their suppliers stock photos) installations your preferred patio awning supplier has carried out, get them to explain to you the fixing method they will use and why, and ask to see proof that they have undertaken appropriate training which makes them competent in the safe installation of patio awnings.