FAQs
What are the wall brackets used for seen on some awnings?
Some retractable awnings need extra brackets, especially on single storey buildings and these are essential items not just added extras.
You may have seen longer steel or aluminium plates fitted below patio awnings running down the wall, especially on bungalows, and these are what are known as ‘spreader plates’ taking the weight and pressure loading of the awning down the wall rather than letting it all be in one place at the top of a brick wall with no strength on a single storey building.
The weight of an awning, especially a high quality full cassette awning, combined with the pressure of an extended awning cover would simply pull down a wall or weak structure if there is not sufficient downward pressure from weight above. On a 2 storey house or higher the brickwork from the higher sections bear down on the lower brick courses to generally give sufficient strength to fit an awning to without issues. Where the brickwork finishes such as the top of a bungalow wall or underneath a window cill there is not sufficient strength and the different wall brackets we have to offer can ensure the awning weight is spread out either down or across according to the wall and position required.
‘Gallows or gutter brackets’ are used to take a patio awning up higher on a single storey house by spreading the weight down the wall but also projecting the awning forward and upwards to be in line with the rainwater guttering. This then ensures the awning has sufficient height to be able to have a descent degree of pitch and make the front a useable height on the patio.
Though many people may think initially these brackets are not attractive they are necessary and can be supplied in any colour and in many cases we have made a feature of them to use for hanging plants, lights or a section for wall climbing plants to attach to.