Which Awning Is Right for You?

Choosing a retractable awning is one of the most rewarding investments you can make for your home. The right awning turns a patio, garden or bi-fold door area into a comfortable, shaded retreat — usable on sunny days, breezy evenings and even during light rain. But with five premium models in the Kingsmere range, the question is: which one is right for you?

Below we walk through each model, who it suits best, and what makes it stand out.

1. The Coniston Awning — Our Best-Seller

The Coniston — our most popular model, shown here installed on a Surrey home

The Coniston is our most popular model and for good reason. It features a beautifully crafted oval cassette housing that completely encloses the fabric when retracted, protecting it from UV damage, dust and moisture. The result is a product that looks as good retracted as it does extended.

• Available in motorised and manual operation
• Projection up to 4 metres, width up to 6 metres
• Over 100 fabric choices including UV-blocking and acrylic options
• Optional wind and sun sensors for automatic operation
• Ideal for: patios, bi-fold door areas, restaurants and cafés

2. The Windermere Awning — Smart Home Ready

The Windermere — designed for smart home integration and full weather protection

The Windermere is designed for homeowners who want the very best in technology and weather protection. Its full cassette design gives even greater protection than the Coniston, and it integrates seamlessly with home automation systems including Somfy and Google Home.

• Full cassette protects fabric from all weather
• Smart home integration (Somfy, Z-Wave, Google/Alexa)
• Built-in LED lighting option for evening entertaining
• Projection up to 4.5 metres
• Ideal for: tech-forward homes, south-facing gardens, larger terraces

3. The Jan des Bouvrie Awning — Designer Statement

The JDB — internationally acclaimed Dutch design that makes a bold architectural statement

Named after legendary Dutch interior designer Jan des Bouvrie, the JDB is the architectural choice for homeowners who want their awning to be a design feature in itself. The distinctive square-profiled cassette and clean geometric lines complement contemporary and period properties alike.

• Internationally recognised Dutch designer collaboration
• Distinctive square cassette housing — a true design statement
• Premium fabric collection with designer colourways
• Available with integrated speakers and LED strip lighting
• Ideal for: architect-designed homes, contemporary extensions, showstopper patios

4. The Kentmere Awning — Compact & Affordable

The Kentmere — our compact cassette model, perfect for smaller spaces and modest budgets

The Kentmere proves that great design doesn't need to break the bank. This compact cassette awning is perfect for smaller patios, first-floor windows or any space where projection and width requirements are more modest. It remains fully motorised and available with sun sensors.

• Compact cassette housing — unobtrusive when retracted
• Motorised with optional remote and sun sensors
• Ideal for widths up to 5 metres, projection up to 3 metres
• Budget-friendly entry into the Kingsmere range
• Ideal for: smaller patios, conservatories, ground-floor extensions

5. The Thirlmere Awning — Full Cassette with LED Lighting

The Thirlmere — full cassette protection with integrated LED lighting for evening entertaining

The Thirlmere is the ultimate all-day, all-evening awning. Its full cassette design keeps the fabric pristine when not in use, while the built-in LED lighting system means you're not restricted to daytime use. This model is increasingly popular with homeowners who entertain regularly outdoors.

• Full cassette for maximum fabric protection
• Integrated LED strip lighting — perfect for evening use
• Motorised as standard, smart home compatible
• Available with heating element for cooler seasons
• Ideal for: keen entertainers, south-facing gardens, year-round outdoor living

Which Model Should You Choose?

Here's a quick summary guide:

• Best value, most popular: Coniston
• Smart home & maximum weather protection: Windermere
• Design statement & architectural homes: Jan des Bouvrie (JDB)
• Smaller spaces & budget-conscious: Kentmere
• Evening entertaining & year-round use: Thirlmere

Every Kingsmere awning includes a free professional survey, bespoke manufacture to your exact measurements, expert installation by our own fitters, and a comprehensive 5-year guarantee. We serve homeowners across Surrey, Hampshire, Kent and Sussex.

"The survey was incredibly thorough — they measured everything twice and the awning fits absolutely perfectly. Couldn't be happier." — Mrs H., Guildford