Awning or Parasol?
What suits patio and balcony
An awning shades a fixed area under a roof. A parasol stands where you place it. Three questions decide whether an awning or a parasol suits better: is there a roof cover, how big is the area and how often does your spot change? We make rope tension awnings and folding awnings to measure in Westoverledingen. We do not make parasols, so we only compare them by what applies to every parasol.
Whether to choose an awning or a parasol depends first of all on the roof over your spot. The decision in four points:
- With a roof cover, pergola or conservatory: a made-to-measure rope tension awning or folding awning shades the whole bay. When retracted, the fabric parks protected under the roof.
- Without a roof over the area, an awning is often not the right product. In that case a parasol or a shade sail suits better.
- For a small seating corner or a spot that changes often, the parasol is the simpler solution: it stands freely on its base and needs no installation.
- For both: the fabric should reach UPF 50, and in storms the awning is retracted and the parasol is closed.
Awning and Parasol Compared
The values for the awning come from our production of rope tension awnings and folding awnings. For parasols we give no values, because they depend on the model.
| Feature | Made-to-measure awning (rope tension or folding awning) | Parasol |
|---|---|---|
| Requirement | Roof cover, pergola or conservatory with rafters or frame as load-bearing points | free standing space and a base |
| Size | made to measure: rope tension awning up to 320 × 700 cm per panel, folding awning up to 150 cm width and 600 cm projection | standard sizes |
| Area | covers the whole bay between the rafters, large areas in several panels | shade around the base |
| Wind and rain | not a storm or rain roof; rope tension awning designed for wind up to approx. 30 km/h, retract above that | close in wind |
| Operation | by hand with operating pole, with a rope pull for high mounting; no motor | open, close, move |
| Resting position | fabric bundle parks under the roof, approx. 30-35 cm deep for the rope tension awning | folded at the base or stored away |
| Installation | fixing to rafters, frame or wall; installation accessories included | no structural change |
| UV protection | UPF 50 as target value, Agora with UPF 50+ to AS/NZS 4399 | UPF 50 as target value, depending on the model |
When the Awning Is the Better Choice
The awning shows its strength where a roof is already there and a fixed area on the patio needs shade every day.
Under a Roof Cover, Pergola or Conservatory
The rope tension awning runs between or under the rafters. With caps, the aluminium tube in the panel is 10 mm shorter than the clear dimension, so the panel does not touch the rafters. When retracted, the fabric bundle parks under the roof.
Large Area Without Gaps
One panel of the rope tension awning is up to 320 × 700 cm. We divide wider areas into panels of around 150 cm, which you move individually. That way you shade the whole patio or only part of it. To the made-to-measure rope tension awning.
Narrow Bays up to 150 cm
For bays up to 150 cm width there is the folding awning on tracks. The panel hangs from hook-and-loop profiles and is pulled open and closed with the operating pole: Made-to-measure folding awning.
High Glass Roof
The operating pole reaches up to approx. 3 m height. Above that, you operate the rope tension awning from the ground with a rope pull, entirely without a motor or electricity.
Sloping Roof or Balcony Ceiling
With a sloping roof, the pitch matters. The limits are explained in Installing a rope tension awning. What applies under a balcony is covered in Balcony awning with ceiling mounting.
When the Parasol Is the Better Choice
Parasol or awning: if the roof is missing or your spot changes, a lot speaks for the parasol. We do not make parasols, and these points apply to every model.
No Roof Over the Area
An awning needs a roof under which the fabric parks protected. If there is none, a parasol or a shade sail suits better. Which sails there are is shown in the shade sail guide.
Changing Spot in the Garden
You put the parasol where you are sitting and move it along when the sun moves. In the garden when barbecuing or at the edge of the patio, that is an advantage.
Rented Flat and Small Balcony
A parasol manages without structural changes. For any fixed fixing in a rented flat, you need your landlord's written consent beforehand. Without drilling, you can also fix a balcony privacy screen with eyelets and cord to the railing on a balcony.
Both Together
Many people combine them: the awning fixed under the patio roof, the parasol movable in the garden. Both only protect if the fabric is tightly woven and reaches UPF 50.
What Neither Can Do
The rope tension awning and folding awning are pure sun protection. In rain, strong wind and storms you retract the rope tension awning, and you secure the folding awning in severe weather. A parasol is also closed in wind. The water-repellent fabrics let normal rain bead off, but in continuous or heavy rain water gets through. Why you retract the awning even in a shower is explained under Leaving an awning out in the rain.
When retracted, the fabric of the rope tension awning pushes together into a bundle, approx. 30-35 cm deep with four panels of 150 cm each. It has to park under some protection. The other drawbacks of an awning are summarised in What are awnings.
If neither awning nor parasol suits, you will find more ways to get shade under Alternatives to an awning.
What a Made-to-Measure Awning Costs and Requires
The configurator calculates the price of the awning from size, fabric and look. For parasols we give no prices, as they depend on the model.
Fabric Affects the Price Too
Four fabrics are available in the rope tension awning configurator: Dralon, Polysun, Agora and Olefin. Agora costs somewhat more, and the configurator shows the price. Dralon and Agora are acrylic from Spain, Polysun is polyester. How acrylic and polyester differ is explained under Awning fabric: acrylic or polyester.
Guarantee by Fabric
The guarantee on colour fastness is 5 years for Agora, 2 years for Olefin and Polysun, and there is no separate guarantee for Dralon. The polyester rope has a lifetime guarantee.
Installing It Yourself
The complete installation accessories are included, so you do not need to order anything extra. You or your tradesperson carry out the installation. What is involved is explained in Installing a rope tension awning.
Care Over the Years
An awning fabric stays attractive for longer if you care for it: first Cleaning an awning, for stains Removing mildew spots and afterwards Waterproofing an awning.
New Fabric Instead of a New System
If the fabric is worn out, the whole system does not have to go straight away. When a new cover is worthwhile is explained under Re-covering an awning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
Last reviewed: 23.10.2026 · Reviewer: Germes-Team
Unsure Whether Your Patio Can Carry an Awning?
Send us a photo and the dimensions of your roof cover. We will tell you whether a rope tension awning or a folding awning suits, and send fabric swatches on request.