Rooms with large windows and glazed doors can become uncomfortably hot during sunny weather. Sunlight passes through the glass and warms floors, furniture, worktops and other surfaces. Once that heat has built up, opening a window or switching on a fan may provide only limited relief.
External shading helps by blocking direct sunlight before it reaches the window. As well as reducing the heat entering your home, an awning can create a more comfortable patio, balcony or seating area.
At Base Direct, we manufacture both commercial and residential awnings in the UK. Our range includes compact systems for individual windows and large folding-arm awnings for wide areas of glazing. We supply our products through a trusted network of installers and retailers. They can assess your property, identify where the heat is entering and recommend a made-to-measure system.
Table of Contents
- How do awnings reduce overheating?
- Which Base Direct awnings are best for reducing solar heat gain?
- Italia Slim: targeted shade for individual windows
- BASE Lite: compact coverage for smaller patios
- BASE Plus: versatile shade for bifold doors and patios
- Epica Lite: streamlined shading for medium-sized spaces
- Epica: deeper shade for large patios and glazing
- Armony Plus: wide coverage for large elevations
- Choosing the right width, projection and pitch
- Use automation to provide shade at the right time
- Find a Base Direct dealer near you
How do awnings reduce overheating?
Internal blinds and curtains can reduce brightness and glare, but the sunlight has already passed through the glass by the time it reaches them. An external awning shades the window itself, reducing the amount of direct sunlight that reaches the glazing during the hottest parts of the day.
The right system depends on several factors, including:
- The size and height of the glazing
- The direction the window faces
- The time of day when the room becomes hottest
- The space available for the awning
- The amount of projection needed
- The angle of the sun
A west-facing bedroom window may only need targeted afternoon shade. A wide set of bifold doors may require a larger system that covers both the glazing and the patio in front of it.
Which Base Direct awnings are best for reducing solar heat gain?
Each model in our range is designed for a different type of space. Most of our folding-arm systems use a full cassette that encloses the fabric and arms when the awning is closed. Depending on the model, you can also choose from manual or motorised operation, adjustable installation angles, drop valances and weather sensors.
Italia Slim: targeted shade for individual windows
You do not always need a large patio awning to make a room more comfortable. Sometimes, one exposed window is responsible for most of the heat.
The Italia Slim is a compact drop-arm cassette awning designed for windows, French doors and balconies. Its pivoting arms lower the fabric in front of the glazing rather than projecting it horizontally across a patio.
This makes it a practical choice for:
- West-facing bedroom windows
- Home offices affected by heat and glare
- Upper-floor glazing
- Small balconies
- French doors
- Spaces with limited room for projection
The angle can be adjusted to provide shade while retaining airflow and some visibility outside.
The Italia Slim is available in widths from 1.2 metres to 4 metres, with a drop projection of up to 1.6 metres. You can choose manual or motorised operation, with optional sun and wind sensors.
Its compact design also makes it suitable for retrofit installations where there may not be enough room for a conventional folding-arm awning.
BASE Lite: compact coverage for smaller patios
The BASE Lite is designed for homes that need more coverage than a drop-arm awning can provide, but do not require a large patio system.
It works well above:
- French doors
- Smaller patio doors
- Compact areas of glazing
- Balconies
- Modest patios and terraces
When extended, it shades the window and the outdoor area immediately in front of it. The BASE Lite is available in widths of up to 4 metres, with projections from 1.6 to 2.6 metres. Its adjustable pitch allows the installation angle to be set for the position of the glazing and the direction of the sun.
Manual and motorised versions are available. You can also add sun sensors, wind sensors or a valance for extra protection from low sunlight.
BASE Plus: versatile shade for bifold doors and patios
The BASE Plus is our flagship folding-arm awning and a flexible option for many residential properties.
It is particularly suited to:
- Bifold and sliding doors
- Garden-facing glazing
- Open-plan kitchen extensions
- Medium and large patios
- Modern homes with wide windows
The BASE Plus can be manufactured in widths from under 2 metres to 6 metres, with projections from 1.6 to 3.1 metres. This range of sizes makes it suitable for both straightforward patio installations and wider areas of glazing. Its adjustable pitch allows the angle to be adapted to the property, while the two-bracket system helps simplify installation.
For many homes, the BASE Plus provides a useful balance of coverage, appearance and flexibility.
Epica Lite: streamlined shading for medium-sized spaces
The Epica Lite is a streamlined, full-cassette awning for medium-sized patios, terraces and domestic glazing.
It offers widths of up to 5 metres, with several projection options available depending on the chosen configuration. This makes it suitable for:
- Patio doors
- Kitchen extensions
- Medium-sized terraces
- Outdoor seating areas
- Wider domestic windows
The Epica Lite is motorised as standard. It can be connected to remote controls, timers, sensors and compatible smart-home systems. Its adjustable installation angle helps the awning provide effective shade for the position of the window and the path of the sun.
The Epica Lite is a good choice when you want reliable motorised shading in a compact, cost-conscious system.
Epica: deeper shade for large patios and glazing
A deep terrace or large glazed extension may require more projection than a standard patio awning can provide. The Epica is designed for these larger residential spaces. With optional Giant arms, it can project up to 4.1 metres and can be manufactured in widths of up to 6 metres.
The additional projection is useful when:
- The windows sit behind a deep patio
- A shorter awning would not cast enough shade
- You want to cover a larger outdoor seating area
- The property has a broad glazed extension
A drop valance can also be added to provide extra protection from low-angle sunlight. This is particularly useful on west-facing properties, where the sun can reach beneath the front of the awning during the late afternoon.
Motorised controls, sun sensors and wind sensors are available for our Epica awning.
Armony Plus: wide coverage for large elevations
The Armony Plus is designed for properties that need shade across a particularly wide area.
Using coupled sections, it can cover widths of up to 12 metres, with projections of up to 3.6 metres. It is suitable for:
- Broad terraces
- Large detached homes
- Long glazed elevations
- Several windows or doors positioned side by side
- Properties where continuous shade is preferred
A single, correctly specified system can provide a more consistent appearance than installing several smaller awnings across the same elevation. The Armony Plus uses multi-bracket mounting to support wider installations. Custom bracket solutions are also available for more challenging fixing conditions.
Optional motorisation, timers, sensors and drop valances allow the system to be adapted to the property.
Choosing the right width, projection and pitch
The largest awning is not always the most effective choice. The system must be planned around the glazing and the position of the sun.
Width
The awning should be wide enough to shade the required area as the sun moves throughout the day. Covering only the exact width of the window may leave parts of the glazing exposed when sunlight arrives from an angle.
Projection
Projection determines how far the awning extends from the building. A wide awning with limited projection may not cast enough shade over the glass, particularly when the sun is high. A deeper projection may be useful for large patios and windows set further back from the front of the outdoor area.
Pitch
Pitch refers to the downward angle of the awning. The correct angle depends on the installation height, the direction of the window and the position of the sun.
Low afternoon sunlight can be particularly difficult to block. In these situations, a steeper pitch, drop valance or drop-arm system may provide better coverage. Nearby buildings, trees and existing sources of shade should also be considered before choosing a system.
Use automation to provide shade at the right time
An awning is most effective when it is extended before strong sunlight has had a chance to heat the room.
Motorised controls make this easier. You can operate the awning with a wall switch or remote control, while timers and smart-home connections allow it to follow a set schedule.
A sun sensor can respond when sunlight reaches a chosen level. This is particularly useful when your home is empty during the working day, as the awning can shade the glazing before you return. Wind sensors can retract the awning when conditions become unsuitable, helping to protect the system.
Find a Base Direct dealer near you
At Base Direct, our residential awnings are manufactured in the UK and supplied through trade professionals across the country.
A local stockist can visit your home, assess the glazing and recommend the most suitable width, projection and control system. They can then arrange a made-to-measure installation.
Use our contact form to find a Base Direct stockist near you and discover how external shading could help keep your home more comfortable.