No two awning installations are exactly the same. Even when the awning itself is straightforward to install, the building can introduce challenges: low rooflines, guttering, downpipes, limited fixing positions or an awkward façade. It’s vital to choose the correct awning brackets for the project.
At Base Direct, we manufacture a range of standard and specialist brackets for trade customers, including spreader, pipe and gutter brackets. We can also help with bespoke solutions when a standard bracket will not suit the installation.
Below, we answer some of the questions installers may have when working out which bracket is right for a particular job.
Can standard awning brackets be used on every installation?
No. Standard brackets are suitable for many straightforward installations, but the building and the awning both need to be considered before deciding how the system should be mounted.
The available fixing points, substrate, position of doors and windows, guttering and other obstructions can all affect the installation. Another thing you must consider is the awning itself. Some compact systems use relatively simple bracket arrangements, while larger awnings and wider spans may require additional support.
We recommend assessing the fixing area as part of your initial site survey rather than assuming that the standard brackets supplied with a system will suit every project.
When might you need an awning spreader bracket?
An awning spreader bracket can be useful on single-storey extensions and in installations where the available fixing depth or condition of the wall makes a standard arrangement unsuitable. By providing several fixing points over a wider area, the bracket helps distribute the load more evenly.
Spreader brackets can therefore provide an alternative where the preferred awning position does not suit a conventional bracket arrangement. However, every building should still be assessed individually. The condition and construction of the wall need to be suitable for the proposed installation.
What are awning gutter brackets used for?
Awning gutter brackets are designed for installations where guttering or a low roofline prevents the awning from being fitted at the required height using a standard wall bracket. Rather than positioning the awning too low, the bracket allows the mounting position to be raised above the obstruction.
This can be particularly useful where a gutter runs directly across the area in which the awning would otherwise be installed. It can also help where there are outward-opening doors beneath the awning. Getting sufficient installation height from the beginning can prevent problems with clearance once the awning is in use.
Are awning gutter brackets suitable for bungalows?
Bungalows are one of the situations where installers frequently encounter restricted mounting height. The roofline and guttering may sit relatively close to patio doors or windows, leaving little clear wall area for the awning. A gutter bracket can provide a way of raising the awning above the gutter line while positioning it correctly in relation to the building.
The exact solution will depend on the property, the position of the gutter and the awning being installed, so we recommend speaking to our team if you are unsure which bracket arrangement will work best.
What if there is a downpipe where the awning bracket needs to go?
Downpipes and other pipework are another common problem on site. Moving the entire awning to avoid one pipe is not always practical, particularly when the awning needs to sit centrally over a patio, door or commercial frontage.
A pipe bracket can allow the fixing arrangement to bridge the obstruction and create the clearance needed to position the awning correctly. Our pipe brackets are designed for situations where pipework or another projection prevents a standard bracket from sitting directly against the wall.
Check the clearance from the wall to the front of the obstruction before specifying the bracket. Our pipe brackets can accommodate projections of up to 300mm.
What if there are several obstacles around the fixing area?
Some installations present more than one challenge. You might have guttering combined with an awkward window position, a sign above a shopfront, pipework close to the preferred mounting point or another architectural feature that prevents a standard fixing arrangement.
In these situations, trying to make a standard bracket fit the job can create unnecessary complications. Alongside our regular spreader, pipe and gutter brackets, we manufacture specialist bracket arrangements for more unusual installations. These include cranked variations and brackets designed around commercial signage. If the installation does not fit neatly into one of the standard categories, speak to us before ruling the job out.
Do awning bracket layouts vary between installations?
Yes. The size and design of the awning affect how it needs to be supported. For example, our BASE Plus uses two end brackets on a standard installation. Larger systems and awnings designed for wider spans can require a different number or arrangement of brackets. The projection, width and overall specification of the awning therefore need to be considered alongside the building itself.
If you are specifying an awning for a site with limited fixing positions, it can be useful to identify this early. We can then help you select a system and bracket arrangement that suit the installation, rather than discovering a conflict once the awning has already been ordered.
Are awning brackets the same as awning fixings?
The bracket is the component used to support and position the awning, while awning fixings are what secure that bracket to the building. The appropriate fixing will depend on the substrate, the bracket arrangement and the manufacturer’s installation requirements.
Installers should always assess the structure they are fixing into and use suitable fixings for that particular installation. A specialist bracket can help overcome an awkward mounting position, but it does not remove the need for a suitable structural fixing point.
What should you check during an awning site survey?
A good site survey can make the process of choosing an appropriate bracket much easier. Start by looking at where the awning needs to sit and whether there is a suitable fixing area at that height. Check for guttering, downpipes, windows, outward-opening doors, signage and other obstacles. It is also useful to consider how far any obstruction projects from the wall.
The construction of the building should also be established wherever possible. An apparently clear section of wall does not automatically mean it provides the fixing arrangement required for the awning.
For more unusual installations, contact our team with details of the project and we can help you work out which bracket arrangement may be suitable.
Can awning brackets be made to order?
Yes. There will always be projects where an off-the-shelf solution does not quite work. Our bracket range includes bespoke options for installations where the standard configurations are not suitable.
Our brackets are manufactured in stainless steel. They can also be powder coated to coordinate with the awning installation. This gives installers another option when guttering, pipework, the roofline or the shape of the building would otherwise make an awning difficult to position.
Which awning bracket do I need?
There is no single bracket that is right for every awning installation. A straightforward wall may only require the standard mounting brackets supplied for the chosen system. A low roofline could require a gutter bracket, pipework may call for a pipe bracket, while an installation with limited suitable fixing positions may benefit from a spreader bracket.
It’s important to identify these issues before the awning is ordered. At Base Direct, we work with trade customers to help solve difficult installations as well as straightforward ones. Our current range includes spreader brackets, pipe brackets, gutter brackets, cranked options and made-to-order solutions for non-standard projects.
If you have surveyed a job and are unsure which awning brackets you need, contact our team. Tell us about the installation and we can help you identify the most appropriate option for the project.