Cornwall Living
Awning Essentials
Discover innovative awning solutions that combine beauty and practicality for any outdoor area.
Awnings not only protect your family from the sun’s harsh rays, they also help to prevent your valuable furnishings from fading and reduce the internal temperature of your home when the sun is at its hottest. An awning can also help to extend your home into the garden and with integral lighting and heating options available your awning will provide a social space usable on into the evening.
At Westcountry Blinds, their company ethos has always been to partner with the very best manufacturers therefore they exclusively use German-based Markilux Awnings, who were winner of a coveted Red Dot Design Award 2024. Markilux have a wide variety of awnings available; with the help of Westcountry Blinds, we take a look at some of their best sellers.
Markilux 990
Small, space-saving and lightweight, the Markilux 990 full cassette awning discreetly blends into the architectural facade of your home. With its discreet 124mm cassette, it is perfect for shading small terraces and balconies. With the ability to individually select your awning cover, and with the option of bright chrome end caps and a U-shaped front profile, the attractive design of this awning will allow you to enjoy many carefree hours in the most beautiful shade.
Markilux MX-3
The MX-3 is a beautifully designed, compact folding-arm awning with a curved cassette that is sure to be the visual highlight of any patio or balcony. The all-round cassette and screen profiles give this awning model an unmistakably expressive look. At the same time, the Markilux MX-3 offers unique design options including frame and fabric colour, as well as numerous optional additional features, such as LED lighting and sensors for weather- dependent control, which can be configured as desired.
Markilux Pergola Compact
The Markilux Pergola Compact offers an extremely stable option for sun protection for small terraces or balconies, giving an impressive graceful shape. This space-saving awning system is an all-round success. The awning cover is fully protected by the angular, compact full cassette and the lateral guide tracks of the pergola awning keep the fabric cover at optimum tension in wind and weather. With an electric awning model available, nothing stands in the way of many cosy hours outside.
Markilux awnings and pergolas come with multiple options, depending on the model, as well as a choice of operation methods. Opt for an ergonomic stainless-steel crank for manual operation of your awning, with the additional option of a servo-supported gear mechanism to make it easier to operate; or a fully motorised version with remote control. Also, when paired with the Somfy TaHoma Switch, you can even operate your awning when you’re out and about via a smartphone or tablet. There are also sensor options available. Light sensors to bring the awning out, or wind and rain sensors to retract the awning back in prevailing weather conditions. A Westcountry Blinds’ favourite is the Markilux Vibrabox; an inertia sensor which, depending on wind load, will retract the awning back to protect it from damage. This sensor is battery powered so does not require additional power supplies.
As previously mentioned, additional options include LED lighting, which can be built into the cassettes on some models, with separate light bars available for creating a lovely ambient mood as the light fades. There are also heating options available, with some models allowing these to be fitted to the cassette and, for those that don’t, there are standalone units available so no-one need feel chilly. These options allow your awning to be enjoyed long into the evening on those cooler summer evenings.
Westcountry Blinds also supply commercial awnings into the hotel and catering industry, as well as for schools, shops and businesses. Commercial awnings can be colour matched to building facades and corporate brand palettes, with the option of the fabric being sign written with a company name or logo. Whatever your awning need, we highly recommend contacting Westcountry Blinds or visiting their showroom today to discuss your options – the only limit is your imagination.
Awnings not only protect your family from the sun’s harsh rays, they also help to prevent your valuable furnishings from fading and reduce the internal temperature of your home when the sun is at its hottest
