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The Benefits of Full, Semi and Open Cassette Awnings
How to Choose the Perfect Awning
With a wide variety of possibilities, it can be daunting to purchase a new awning for those unfamiliar with the product itself. From different styles, makes, models and more, it can understandably seem like an overload of information.
We are commonly asked what the difference between an open, semi and full cassette awnings are, and what their different uses can be. In this short piece, we hope to make the difference between the three styles clear and examine the different uses for them in both domestic and commercial settings.
What are the Differences?
The cassette itself is the casing which houses the fabric, mechanism and arms, and provide protection against the elements.
A full cassette provides complete protection when the awning is fully retracted and this makes it perfect for shops, cafes and more, as well as being the ideal cassette type for the notoriously changeable British weather. This is the ultimate protection for the awning and whilst this is certainly reflected in the prices, the safety and reliability of these, as well as the impressive aesthetics, make them extremely popular.
An open cassette meanwhile provides no external casing to protect from the elements for the arms or fabric, however a protective top cover can sometimes be added. The lack of casing means these are best suited to areas involving an overhang, however the lack of casing means these can often span far greater areas than cassette awnings, and are also usually less expensive too.
A semi cassette awning contains a top that is protected by casing that will protect from a certain amount of weather damage. They can also have additional guards added to enhance protection. These are useful as a mid point between the full and open cassette awnings.
As a general rule, all of these awnings are suitable for both commercial and domestic applications, but they have specific strengths and ensuring you have the right awning for your needs and property is crucial.
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How Can They Benefit You?
With such stark differences between the three kind of awnings, they are understandably useful for various purposes.
A full cassette awnings like the Markilux 990, are without a doubt the best awning for an all year round protection system, and they look fantastic, with a range of designs aimed to ensure there is always an awning that will suit your property. With the British weather notoriously changeable, these offer full protection and reliability. The cassette however does limit the sizes possible due to the need to fit the arms into the cassette. If your property is exposed to the elements, a full cassette awning is definitely the best option.
Semi cassette awnings are a little more diverse than full cassette awnings, and are a little cheaper too due to the lack of a full casing. Whilst this has benefits beyond price and adaptability, it should be noted that you do not have full protection for the fabric and mechanisms, and this can be an issue in adverse weather conditions. The lack of a full cassette also means that these can have extended arm sizes, meaning these are an excellent option for properties needing to cover larger spaces with only a little cover for the awning.
Open cassette awnings, such as the Markilux 1700, are completely unprotected, with no casing at all for the fabric and mechanism. This of course means these awnings suit drier climates or properties with alcoves and overhands to protect them from the weather. The benefits of these however are the ability to cover greater projections than the width due to lack of casing, as well as being noticeably less expensive. These are fantastic for enclosed spaces or large open areas with an alcove or overhang.
Essential Winter Accessories
Winter has fully arrived, and with it we have harsher weather that makes spending time outside more difficult. Earlier sunsets and darker nights are combined with much lower temperatures and wet and windy weather, which can be a nightmare combination.
Luckily companies such as Markilux, Vortex and Weinor are one step ahead and have a number of different accessories that can be used in conjunction with their products to help you still enjoy your time outdoors, at low energy costs.
Wind Protection
For wind protection, both Markilux and Weinor provide side screens, helping you to enjoy your outside space without being buffetted by the winds, whilst Erhardt Markisen, Gibus and Weinor all provide glass panels and doors for their veranda and 90° pergola systems.
The Markulux 790 and Weinor Paravento are fabric horizontal blinds that extend from vertical aluminium cases, allowing them to be neatly tucked away when not needed. The main benefit of these products is that as well as protecting from rain or wind, they also provide shading and privacy.
Erhardt Markisen, Gibus and Weinor all provide high quality glass elements, that can both slide and fold open, or fixed elements that provide 24/7 protection. These of course don’t provide shading, however certain Gibus systems can also offer blinds to provide the best of both worlds.
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| Weinor Zenara with Integrated LED Lights | Veito 2000 Infrared Heater |
Heating
If heating is the main issue, then a whole host of different companies offer solutions to accompany their systems, as well as third party options that offer excellent performance.
Vortex, the makers of large commercial umbrellas, offer infrared heaters, designed to be ideal for use in the catering or hospitality industry, when outside space is at a premium and the systems themselves are more likely to be used at different times of the year.
Infrared technology saves a lot of energy as opposed to conventional heaters, and due to it’s ability to transfer heat directly to surfaces rather than air, it also requires almost no heat up time at all, proving instant comfort whilst saving money.
For this reason, Markilux and Weinor also offer similar heaters for their systems. The Markilux heaters are designed to work with any awning, and can even be combined with lighting in the shape of the Markilux Hotspot. Weinor, meanwhile, provide the Tempura. the Tempura is available in two different models with varying design styles.
Gibus also provide a 4000W bar heater, whilst Erhardt Markisen offer both infrared heaters and a unique item called the Erhardt Heatscope Vision. The Heatscope Vision is a panel that provides as much heat as possible whilst providing minimal light intrusion, ideal for creating an atmosphere.
Finally, third party company Veito also provide heaters, with an impressive range to suit every application. In business for roughly 40 years, Veito and Samson Awnings work together to supply six different models with different strengths and uses. for instance the Veito Blade S2500 is a beautifully designed wall and ceiling mounted heater mounted by brackets that is ideal for use under awnings or verandas, whilst the Veito CH1800RE is a self supporting vertical heater ideal for use in glass rooms.
Lighting
When it comes to Lighting, there are a range of LED options from companies such as Erhardt, Gibus, Markilux, Vortex, Weinor. LED lighting is useful because it conserves energy as opposed to normal lighting options and is also much brighter.
Erhardt’s Light Bar attaches to the wall and provides light without looking out of place due to it’s modern design, whilst LED spot lights can be incorporated into the roof of any Erhardt veranda. Weinor also offer the Lux system which combines different LED systems, and many of their awnings come with LED lights integrated as standard.
Markilux offer the spotline bar with integrated spotlights, as well as the Hotspot system, which is a bar containing both LED spotlights and infrared heaters. Gibus also offer bar lights and spot lights, but as well as Weinor, they also offer RGB led strip lighting that runs around the inside perimeter of the system, providing stunning visuals that can be changed at the touch of a button.
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| Gibus RGB Strip Lighting | Weinor RGB Strip Lighting |
Energy Saving Tips
As the summer winds down and we head into the Autumn, we face the possibility of another long and harsh Winter. Climate change has left many scientists warning that the previous 12 months of extreme weather could become the norm for these isles, and so the need to adapt whilst being energy efficient is one of the average household’s most pressing challenges.
So what can you do to save energy and how can we help you?
LED Lights
Led lights are a big energy saver, using up to 75% less energy than their comparable halogen equivalent, and need replacing less often. Many of our systems such as Markilux awnings, Weinor retractable roofs or Gibus Med Systems have LED lighting as an option, and this is something that could be extended through your home.
While LED lights save money and conserve energy, they are also very bright, and are even available in a variety of colours, with remote controls available for some LED lights which allow you to change colour, have them alternate or even set up patterns.
External Shading
External shades are an often overlooked way to save money in the long run in warmer climates. During hot summers like the one we have just experienced, it can be difficult to cool down a property when the sun in beating down on the windows, cooking the room on the other side.
External shades allow you to prevent the sun from reaching the glazing and therefor stop the room from being heated without the use of fans or air conditioning, saving money and conserving energy. This is something that is going to become more important in the UK as climate change takes effect, and therefore is something that more households will need to consider than ever before.
Similarly, retractable awnings do a similar job, whilst also offering a larger shaded area outside for you to relax.
Markilux are a world leader in awnings and blinds, and vertical blind products such as the 710/810 and 750/850 or awnings such as the 990 being perfect for this purpose.
Infrared Heating
Infrared heating has many strengths over standard heating. It requires almost no warm up time and provides instant heating, making it perfect for outdoor use.
Infrared heating uses electromagnetic radiation, however it is 100% safe (our bodies actually emit infrared radiation, which is how things such as night vision goggles work). It is a different heat to our usual heating systems, which heat the air which comes into contact with it. Infrared heat meanwhile, travels through the air until it hits a solid object, at which point the object absorbs the heat. In people, this gives a deep feeling of warmth.
Because of this targeted heating, they conserve a lot of energy compared to conventional heaters and this can help you save more money. Infrared heaters are available on numerous systems available from Samson Awnings.
May Introduce New Colour Options
German umbrella giant May have unveiled that they are widening their selection of LED bars, to include even more colours to brighten up your outdoor space.
Previously you had the option of RGB colours or warm white LED bars, however there is now the option to have both in the same bar, making the system even more diverse.
What’s more, these new RGB-ww bars are available at no extra cost. These new LED bars are even able to be controlled via an app. You can even combine different colours and even save various colours, patterns, combinations and brightness levels.
The free app for the transmitters (operated via Bluetooth) is available for download on the May website. The new RGB-www LED bars can be controlled by an app as well as a hand-held Bluetooth remote control sender. It is recommended to use the app however, as the Bluetooth sender limits it to controlling two parasols maximum.
The regular white LED bars are also still available.
For more information, please call us on 0800 328 6250.
May Umbrella Colour and Fabric Updates
May Umbrellas have adapted their range of colour and fabrics, aiming to update their products for the year of 2018.
May Umbrellas are premium parasols designed to fit in equally amongst the domestic and commercial markets, and look fantastic amongst any setting. With a range of designs that include side-supported and centre pole umbrellas, there are plenty of designs available to choose from.
Discontinued colours
MayTex-Acryl, SA 314 008 ochre
MayTex-Acryl, SA 314 019 terracotta
MayTex-Acryl, SA 314 257 green/black
MayTex-Acryl, SA 314 271 navy blue/black
MayTex-Acryl, SA 314 344 multi color (Available at extra cost)
MayTex-PVC, 302 1496 mandarin (Available at extra cost)
MayTex-PVC, 302 1497 rust (Available at extra cost)
Changed from gloss finish to matt
MayTex-PVC, 302 1093 beige becomes 302 544 beige matt
MayTex-PVC, 302 1115 dark brown becomes 302 328 darkbrown matt
MayTex-PVC, 302 056 green becomes 302 814 green matt
MayTex-PVC, 302 390 grey becomes 302 331 grey matt
Additional colours
MayTex-Poly, M 9654 graphite grey
MayTex-Acryl, DA 7244 lime green
MayTex-Acryl, SA 314 396 green/apple green, structured
MayTex-Acryl, SA 314 007 pure red
MayTex-Acryl, SA 314 397 magenta
MayTex-Acryl, SA 314 143 mallow
MayTex-Acryl, SA 314 851 vanilla
MayTex-Acryl, SA 314 402 black/beige, structured
MayTex-Acryl, SA 314 028 stone grey, mottled
MayTex-Acryl, SA 314 030 light grey
MayTex-Acryl, SA 314 398 atlas grey
MayTex-PVC, 302 378 slate grey matt
MayTex-PVC, 302 165 beige grey matt
Benefits of an Awning and Glass Room Combination
The Ulimate UK Weather Protection!
Awnings and glass rooms both have their advantages and disadvantages. Awnings are adaptable, yet unable to cope with heavier wind and snow. Glass rooms meanwhile are more fixed, however lack natural shading, merely rain and wind protection.
Perhaps this is why it has become an option with many glass rooms to have an awning attached. Often fixed to the roof of the glass room itself, the awning extends via runners and this adds stability to the awning itself. These can be placed either above or under the glass, with each having advantages. Outside shading is perfect for keeping the sun from heating up the glass, increasing the temperature, whilst inside shading prevents wind or heavy rain from becoming an issue.
The benefit of this means that not only can you shelter from the rain and wind, and even snow in the summer, but you can also provide shade from the summer sun. This transforms an already impressive glass room into a truly year round all weather system.
The benefits of this are obvious. When combined with sliding glass doors, you can create an area that can be entirely closed off, with a shaded roof, yet can also be completely opened up, with a glass roof and no walls.
Examples for suitable systems:
Weinor Terrazza
The Terrazza is a glass and aluminium roof structure, designed for us on a terrace or patio in any domestic or commercial environment.
The Terrazza can have shading added, with a product called the Sottezza, an under-mount anti-glare screen that blends in perfectly and shields the area underneath from the sun.
The Terrazza has a couple of different roof models and shapes, meaning that every need is catered for, and sides can be personalised to make them more stable or transparent.
An elegant and appealing design, the Terrazza has a number of different options to suit different needs, and can be fitted with lights to extend usability.
Weinor GlasOase
The Weinor GlasOase is designed to be the ultimate in roof protection. It has a high quality aluminium profile, and a roof that is similar to that of the Terrazza, but is designed from the ground up to be transformed into a glassroom.
Sides can be filled in with a variety of options, such as glass panels, sliding or folding glass doors and more, and the sides include minimal posts, offering a truly panoramic view of the surroundings with a possibility for full-surface glazing, with no restrictions to the view.
The GlasOase can also have both inside and outside shading, making it an incredibly versatile system. Alongside this, both LED lighting and infrared heating systems are available, both of which are energy efficient.
Verano Riva
The Verano Riva is a stylish and sturdy glass roof system, which when filled in at the sides uses exceptionally high-quality glass to create a fantastically clear veranda, which offers protection from all sorts of weather conditions, from sun shading, to winds and rain, and even light snow.
There is also the option for polycarbonate to be used, and whilst this is cheaper, it does make it much noisier in wet weather conditions. Alternatively, you can also fill the sides with zip screens as well as the standard glass partitions or sliding glass doors.
Similarly to the glasOase, the Riva has minimal posts, which allows for fantastic views, without losing any of the structural integrity. The Riva only needs two supports to span 6.5 metres, and does this with ease.
Both halogen and LED lights are available built into the structure, which can save up to 30% on energy costs, whilst shading is placed above the roof.
For more information on these options, please contact us.
Offers on Glass Rooms and Winter Gardens
Wintergarden Offer
Our British summer is never quite long enough, so why not extend the season and the usability of your garden or outside space with a stylish wintergarden/glass room. Our completely bespoke solutions make a valuable addition to any home or business.
With a broad range of systems, the options are enormous. From giant Pergotex retractable roof systems which can filled in, and Glasoase systems that make excellent glassrooms that lean to an existing wall or structure of your house, to Med Twist and Varia systems which contain stunning louvred roofs and can be stand alone systems.
These systems suit both commercial and domestic properties. Domestically they can be used to host guests and entertain, as well as a possible island of tranquility for you to relax. Commercially, the systems work particularly well in the food and drink sectors, with cafes, restaurants and bars often using them to extend the usability of their outdoor space.
With extras such as LED lights, the usability of these systems all throughout the evening and night is extended even further. Alongside this, infrared heaters are available for colder days. These heating systems are not only powerful but save up to 30% on energy costs compared to traditional heaters;.
Our Autumn sale on any glass room or louvred rood system is now on!
This season, any like for like quotation will be beaten on these products. Give us a call now and discuss this.
Verano verandas coming soon
The Verano verandas allow you to enjoy the outdoors for longer and enrich your living environment, with stylish and luxurious design.
There are two models to choose from, both coming with a wide range of optional extras, such as glass walls to create an outdoor room, halogen or LED lighting and sun protection.
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The Verano verandas are provided with a CE-mark, which means they are produced according to European specification, ensuring they are structurally safe for your garden.
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One of these unique verandas will soon be installed in our Wellingborough showroom, for you to come and visit and more information on these products will be on our website soon.
Gibus presents its NEW Med Jeans pergola
Minimal design and practicality for small outdoor spaces
Coming Soon to Samson Awnings
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As summer approaches, spending time outdoors becomes a real pleasure.
To create a comfortable, cosy corner, even in the smallest of spaces, we have designed a totally unique product: Med Jeans, the new Gibus pergola. This innovative product, with its slender, clean lines, has been especially developed to harmonize perfectly with buildings characterized by small outdoor spaces, such as urban homes, terraced houses or apartments with terraces.
Every detail has been designed by the Gibus Research & Development department with this aim in mind, from the light structure, conceived as a lean-to attached to an exterior wall, made of powder-coated aluminium, to the slender profile of the posts and guides, which have dimensions of 60 x 100 millimetres.
The Med Jeans pergola is available in two versions: single module, with a width of up to 450 centimetres, and two modules, which reach 700 cm. Both have a maximum projection of 500 cm and are available with either manual or motorized movement systems.
The strong point of each Gibus product is the perfect balance between functionality and style: even for Med Jeans, the focus on design and attention to detail are elements that make this product efficient and elegant.
The young, minimal look of this pergola is perfect for complementing any architectural style without becoming overly dominant. Thanks to its minimal design and clean, slender lines, this new pergola gives outdoor spaces a dash of dynamism and stylish cool.
This effect is also achieved by the absence of exposed screws, the well-finished wall mount which hides the operating mechanisms, and the retractable PVC cover supported by horizontal profiles with the patented “Quick Block” system with aluminium front bayonet.
The canopy does not just protect against UV rays, but, together with the “Weather Strip” system, it also ensures that the fabric remains waterproof. The Med Jeans solution is therefore ideal for setting up your Place Under the Sun, whether in spring and autumn or full summer, ensuring comfortable enjoyment in any climate.
Variable Light System for Mild Summer Evenings
When summer’s warm temperatures entice you to go outside, you would like to spend your days preferably until the late evening hours outdoors, or on your own balcony or patio. A possibly variable lighting system is needed for the matching atmosphere, from cosy to well lit.
Here, the shade providers such as the Markilux 6000 show their practical side. According to the manufacturer, the patio awning does not only offer comfortable solar protection for different living areas during the day, but also spot lights integrated in the projection profile offer the possibility to set atmospheric light accents in the evening.
Depending on the size interval of the awning, between two to six new energy-saving LED spot lights (24 Volts/4.8 Watt) can be used. The swivelling spot lights can now also be switched on and off comfortably at the touch of a button using an electronic radio receiver and hand transmitter.
Optionally you can also use the radio system io-homecontrol to control the brightness of the LED spot lights, which have a light colour of 2,700 Kelvin. This permits the creation of warm cosy to bright friendly colour rooms, depending on the awning fabric chosen, which invite to let the evening pass outside protected by an awning roof.
