Alternatives to an awning
shade sails, curtains and folding awnings
Which alternative to a classic folding-arm or cassette awning suits is decided first by the roof: under a roof, the rope tension awning and folding awning run, without a roof you tension a shade sail, and against sun and prying eyes from the side an outdoor curtain helps. Here you will find the limits by which we decide in our consultations.
The right alternative to an awning depends on three questions: is there a roof over the area, how steep is the slope, and does the sun come from above or from the side? This is how we sort enquiries in our consultations:
- Under a patio roof, pergola or glass roof: a rope tension awning with panels on cables, single panel up to 320 cm wide, or a folding awning with fabric on hook-and-loop profiles in tracks, up to 150 cm wide.
- Without a roof: a fixed, tensioned shade sail or a rope tension shade sail, which is lighter and less prone to wind than an awning.
- Strong cross slope from about 45 degrees: a fixed, tensioned shade sail instead of a rope tension awning. The angle limits are explained in fitting a rope tension awning.
- Sun and prying eyes from the side: an outdoor curtain that hangs vertically on a cable or track.
What comes into question instead of an awning
All five solutions are made to your measurements. They differ in where they hang and how you operate them.
Awning, sail and curtain compared
The information comes from our production and from consultations. We do not make folding-arm and cassette awnings, so they are not in the table.
| Feature | Rope tension awning | Folding awning | Shade sail | Rope tension shade sail | Outdoor curtain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where it goes | under a patio roof, pergola, glass roof or in a conservatory | between or under the rafters of a patio roof and conservatory | freely between fixed points, without a roof | on two support cables, also over triangles and trapezoids | vertically on a pergola, patio roof or balcony |
| Operation | by hand with operating pole, over about 3 m height with pulley rope | by hand with operating pole, magnetic stoppers hold the position | stays firmly tensioned | slide together and park | slide to the side, with a tie-back |
| Size | single panel up to 320 x 700 cm, wider areas in several units | up to 150 cm wide, up to 600 cm deep | to your measurements or your drawing | to your measurements | panels up to 280 cm height without a joining seam |
| Rain and wind | retract in rain, strong wind and storms | retract in storms and bad weather | weather-resistant, take down in storms and before winter | retract in rain, strong wind and storms | rain runs off the vertically hanging fabric |
| Fabrics | Dralon, Polysun, Agora, Olefin | Agora Liso, Polysun | Agora, Olefin, Cover | Dralon, Olefin | Agora Liso, Agora Air |
The alternative to an awning for the patio
On the patio, the roof above decides. These situations come up again and again in consultations.
Patio roof or glass roof
Here the rope tension awning runs between or under the rafters. With its caps, the aluminium tube is 10 mm shorter than the clear dimension, so with correctly set sliders the panel does not touch the construction.
Wide bays
The rope tension awning is available as a single panel up to 320 cm wide. Per panel, two cable guides run under 145 cm, three from 145 cm and four from 300 cm. The folding awning ends at 150 cm width per bay.
Fitted high
Up to about 3 m height you operate the rope tension awning with the operating pole. Above that, for example under a high glass roof, a pulley rope takes over operation from the ground, with no motor at all.
No roof over the area
Without a roof over it, an awning is often not the right choice. A fixed, tensioned shade sail then suits, which also copes with exposed positions. If you want to be able to move the shade, take a rope tension shade sail and retract it in rain and strong wind.
Triangle or trapezoid
On angled areas, the rope tension shade sail slides together from the wide to the narrow side. Rectangular bays next to it can get rope tension awnings in the same fabric, so the look stays uniform.
Under the pergola
The rope tension awning and folding awning also run between or under the beams of a pergola. What else a pergola can do is explained in the pergola guide.
Rather not fit anything
Then many people think of a parasol. When the parasol and when the awning suits is compared in awning or parasol.
The alternative to an awning on the balcony
On the balcony, two more questions arise: are you allowed to drill, and is there a ceiling above? In rented flats, get the landlord's written consent beforehand for every fixing.
Balcony with a ceiling above
If the balcony is covered, a rope tension awning can run under it, provided the ceiling takes the screws securely and permanently.
Without drilling
For privacy on the railing there is the balcony cloth, which is fixed with stainless steel eyelets and cable ties or cord.
Sun and prying eyes from the side
The outdoor curtain is intended for that. The rope tension awning runs horizontally, and vertical use is not intended and not covered by the warranty.
Clamp-on awning
We do not make clamp-on, folding-arm or cassette awnings. How the types differ and what drawbacks an awning has is explained in What are awnings?
What awnings and sails cannot do
An awning is not a storm or rain roof, and you retract every awning in storms and bad weather. The rope tension awning and rope tension shade sail are pure sun protection: in rain and strong wind you slide them together and park the fabric bundle under the roof.
A fixed, tensioned shade sail is weather-resistant, but not storm-proof. When a storm is forecast and before winter, you take it down.
Normal rain beads off Agora and Olefin, but in persistent or heavy rain water gets through.
The rope tension awning and folding awning have no motor and need no power connection. You move the fabric with the operating pole, or with the pulley rope when fitted high.
Before you replace the old awning
Sometimes the alternative to a new awning is the old one, cared for or with new fabric. Depending on its condition, one of these steps helps.
Grey haze and dust
Many fabrics look tidy again after a thorough clean. The steps are in cleaning an awning.
Dark spots in the fabric
Mildew spots and mould need their own treatment: removing mildew spots from an awning.
Rain soaks in faster
If water no longer beads off, new waterproofing can help: waterproofing an awning.
Seam has come undone
An open seam or a small tear can often be sewn: sewing an awning.
Fabric faded or brittle
If the frame is in good order, the awning gets a new cover: re-covering an awning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
- Awning guide
- Made-to-measure rope tension awning
- Made-to-measure folding awning
- Made-to-measure outdoor curtains
Last reviewed: 23.10.2026 · Reviewer: Germes-Team
Not sure which solution suits your space?
Send us a photo and the dimensions of your area and tell us whether there is a roof over it. We will tell you which type suits and, on request, send fabric samples.