How a Fall Arm Awning Works

Fall arm awnings use a fabric panel mounted on a roller above the window. Two spring loaded arms, one on each side, pivot from brackets fixed to the wall. When you extend the awning, the arms drop outward and the fabric unfurls, projecting at whatever angle you set. At 0 degrees the fabric hangs vertically like a blind. At 90 degrees it projects horizontally. At 180 degrees it drops fully down. Any position in between is possible.

This adjustability is the key advantage. As the sun moves through the afternoon, you tilt the arms to track it. Morning sun sits high, so you set a shallow angle. Late afternoon sun drops low and hits windows directly, so you extend the arms further. When the sun sets or the weather changes, you retract the awning completely. It rolls up into a compact cassette or against a pelmet, sitting flush against the wall with no visible projection.

Operation is either manual (crank handle at the base of the window) or motorised with Somfy. Motorised fall arms can be fitted with sun sensors that extend the awning automatically when UV intensity exceeds a threshold, and retract it when clouds cover or the sun moves off the window. For Plett homes where owners travel or manage the property remotely, this hands off operation is practical.

Fall Arm vs Folding Arm: Different Products for Different Jobs

People often confuse fall arm and folding arm (retractable) awnings. They are distinct products designed for different applications.

A folding arm awning projects horizontally outward from the wall on articulated arms to create overhead shade over a patio, deck, or entertainment area. It covers a large horizontal area below it. Think of it as a retractable roof.

A fall arm awning projects at an angle from the wall to shade a vertical surface: the window itself. It does not create overhead cover for a space below. Think of it as an adjustable external blind mounted above the window.

Where Fall Arm Awnings Work Best in Plettenberg Bay

North and west facing windows

The primary application. Plett’s north facing coastline means most homes receive intense sun from late morning through to sunset on the north and west facades. This is the sun that heats rooms most aggressively because it hits windows at a direct angle. A fall arm awning on the outside intercepts this heat before it crosses the glass, reducing indoor temperature noticeably without blocking the ocean views that make these rooms special.

Beachy Head and Whale Rock

Elevated properties with panoramic glazing and extreme UV exposure. These homes have some of the largest window areas on the Garden Route, often floor to ceiling across the entire ocean facing facade. Fall arm awnings on individual windows or in series across the facade give precise control. Tilt them shallow in winter to allow warming sun. Drop them further in summer to block the high intensity UV.

Goose Valley, Brackenridge, and Keurbooms

Estate properties where architectural guidelines restrict external additions. Fall arm awnings retract completely flush, leaving no visible projection when not in use. This clean profile typically meets body corporate requirements. Custom Blinds provides specification drawings and colour samples for estate applications. The compact form factor also suits holiday homes where the awning needs to look intentional and refined rather than temporary.

Holiday homes and rental properties

A significant number of Plett properties are occupied part time or managed as short term rentals. Fall arm awnings with Somfy sun sensors extend and retract automatically based on UV intensity. No guest instructions required, no property manager intervention. The windows stay cool, the views stay open, and the system handles itself. For owners managing from Johannesburg or Cape Town, the Somfy TaHoma app provides remote control from anywhere.

Fabric and Frame Options

The frame is powder coated aluminium with stainless steel spring mechanisms rated for coastal conditions. The cassette housing (where the fabric rolls up when retracted) can be colour matched to your building facade.

Fabric choice affects both performance and appearance. Solution dyed acrylic is the standard for Knysna: it holds colour under sustained UV, breathes to prevent heat buildup on the fabric surface, resists mould in Knysna’s humidity, and dries quickly after rain. For maximum privacy or weather blocking at a specific window, PVC coated polyester provides a solid, waterproof panel.

Widths up to 6 metres per unit are available. Projection depths range from 0.75m to 1.4m depending on the arm length specified. Duncan recommends arm length based on the window height, Plett’s specific sun angles at the property’s position, and how much shade coverage is needed during the intense midday to sunset period.