Why We Only Supply Motorised Tension-Arm Awnings
At The Scottish Shutter Company, we specialise in high-quality motorised tension-arm awnings that provide effortless shade and protection for homes and businesses. While manually operated awnings exist, they come with significant drawbacks that make them impractical, inconvenient, and more prone to damage.
That’s why we’ve made the decision to only supply motorised awnings, ensuring our customers get a shading solution that is easy to use, long-lasting, and safe in windy conditions.
The Problem with Manual Awnings
Tension-arm awnings rely on powerful internal springs to keep the fabric taut. These springs play a crucial role in ensuring the awning stays stretched properly, preventing sagging and maintaining a sleek, modern appearance.
The springs also act as shock absorbers, helping the awning cope with light breezes by adjusting independently to minimise movement. However, like all sun awnings, they are only designed for use in light winds and rain—anything stronger, and there’s a risk of damage.
When the awning is fully retracted, the fabric rolls up inside a protective cassette, shielding it from the elements. At this stage, the tension springs are at their tightest, storing energy and preparing to extend the awning again when needed.
Why Manual Awnings Are Not Practical
To extend the awning, the springs release their stored energy, helping to push the arms outward. But when retracting the awning, those same powerful springs need to be compressed again—and that’s where the problem lies with manual operation.
- It’s physically demanding –
Manually retracting a tension-arm awning requires considerable effort. The springs are strong, and pulling them back into the cassette takes a lot of force.
- The winding mechanism is slow –
Because retracting the awning manually is so difficult, a gearing system is used to reduce the strain. But this means more winding is needed—often at a 4:1 ratio (meaning you have to turn the handle four times more for every small movement of the awning).
- People leave them out in bad weather –
Because retracting a manual awning takes so much effort, many people simply leave them extended—even in strong winds. This leads to damage that could have been avoided.
In short, manual awnings are impractical, inconvenient, and more likely to suffer wind damage because people often don’t retract them in time.
The Benefits of Motorised Awnings
Easy, Effortless Control
With a motorised tension-arm awning, there’s no need to struggle with a winding handle. Instead, you can extend or retract the awning at the press of a button using a wireless handheld controller.
This makes it easy to:
- Extend the awning instantly when you need shade.
- Retract the awning quickly when the weather changes.
- Avoid the physical strain of winding a manual awning.
A motorised awning is a simple, practical solution for homeowners and businesses who want convenience without compromise.
Automatic Wind Protection
One of the biggest advantages of motorised awnings is the ability to integrate smart technology to protect them from strong winds. That’s why all our motorised awnings come with a wireless vibration sensor that detects excessive movement.
Here’s how it works:
If the fabric and arms start bouncing too much in strong winds, the sensor detects the movement.
The awning automatically retracts, preventing potential wind damage.
Once retracted, the awning will not extend again until someone presses the button on the remote control.
This ensures your awning is always protected, even if you’re not at home or forget to retract it manually. It’s a smart, set-and-forget solution that adds reliability and peace of mind.
Increased Longevity & Reduced Maintenance
Because motorised awnings are easier to retract, they are more likely to be used correctly, reducing the risk of:
✔ Wind damage from being left extended too long.
✔ Excessive wear and tear on the fabric and arms.
✔ Mechanical failures due to improper operation.
By investing in a motorised awning, you’re ensuring your system lasts longer, stays in better condition, and requires less maintenance over time.
Why Choose a Motorised Awning from The Scottish Shutter Company?
At The Scottish Shutter Company, we don’t just supply any awnings—we supply the best. Our premium motorised tension-arm awnings are:
✅ Effortless to operate – Just press a button!
✅ Smart & automated – The built-in wind sensor protects your awning automatically.
✅ More durable – Awnings last longer when used correctly, and motorisation ensures easy, proper operation.
✅ Neatly stored – When retracted, the fabric rolls up inside a protective cassette, keeping it safe from rain, dirt, and UV exposure.
✅ Customisable – We offer a range of fabric colours and styles to match your property perfectly.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to external shading solutions, motorised tension-arm awnings are the superior choice. They offer effortless operation, built-in wind protection, and increased durability, making them the smartest and safest option for homes and businesses alike.
With The Scottish Shutter Company, you’re investing in a high-quality awning that’s built to perform, protect, and last.
Say goodbye to manual winding and hello to effortless shade—contact us today to find out more about our motorised awning solutions!
January 2025
