Aluminium Louvred Awnings
Adjustable overhead shade with blades that tilt from fully open to fully closed. Control sun, breeze and light from your chair.
Your patio should work in every season. Louvred awnings give you that — a permanent overhead structure with blades that tilt from fully open to fully closed, so you control sun, rain, breeze and light without moving from your chair.
For more awning types, explore our complete awnings range.
Why Louvred Awnings Work Where Other Shade Falls Short
A retractable awning gives you shade or sky. A louvred awning gives you everything in between.
The adjustable aluminium blades rotate from 0 to 180 degrees, letting you fine-tune exactly how much light, ventilation and shade you need at any moment. Tilt them flat for full shade and rain runoff. Angle them for filtered afternoon light. Open them completely for winter warmth and stargazing. One structure, infinite positions.
This precision is why louvred awnings suit the Garden Route better than almost any other shading solution. Our weather shifts fast — bright sun to sudden showers in minutes. With louvres, you adjust rather than retract. Your outdoor gathering continues regardless.
The Problems Louvred Awnings Solve
Afternoon Heat That Makes Your Patio Unusable
North and west-facing patios along the Garden Route regularly exceed 40°C on summer afternoons. Direct sun on paving radiates heat upward, turning even shaded seating areas into ovens. Louvred awnings block direct radiation while allowing hot air to escape through angled blade gaps — a combination no solid roof can match. Adjacent indoor rooms stay cooler too, reducing your reliance on air conditioning.
Rain That Ends the Braai
Close the blades and they deflect most light rain away from the space below. But this is not a sealed roof. In sustained or heavy downpours, water will find its way through. A louvred awning extends your outdoor living season significantly, but it does not replace a solid roof. The braai stays lit. Unlike fabric awnings that need retracting in heavy rain, a louvred system is engineered as a permanent weather barrier when closed.
Wind Exposure in Coastal Locations
The Garden Route’s south-easterly wind funnels through mountain passes and accelerates across exposed headlands. Our louvred awning frames are engineered from heavy-gauge powder-coated aluminium with stainless steel fixings designed for specific wind loading calculations. The rigid structure stays stable in conditions that would damage or require retracting a fabric system.
Estate and HOA Compliance
Premium estates like Pezula, Simola and Thesen Island enforce strict architectural guidelines. Our louvred systems are designed to integrate with existing rooflines, with custom colour matching to estate specifications. We handle the compliance documentation where required.
Features and Specifications
- Blade rotation: 0–180 degrees for full range from closed to fully open
- Materials: Marine-grade powder-coated aluminium — corrosion-resistant for coastal use
- Fixings: Stainless steel hardware, anchored into structural substrates
- Drainage: Integrated gutter channels direct rainwater away when blades are closed
- Colours: White (standard), charcoal (increasingly popular), or custom RAL colour matching
- Control: Manual crank or motorised with remote control
- Automation: Optional Somfy rain and wind sensors for hands-free operation
- Add-ons: Integrated LED lighting for evening entertaining
- Wind rating: Engineered for Garden Route coastal conditions — specific loading calculated per site
- Lifespan: 15–25 years with proper maintenance in coastal environments
Louvred vs Retractable vs Fixed: Choosing the Right Awning
The right choice depends on your site, weather exposure and how you use your outdoor space.
| Feature | Louvred Awning | Retractable Folding Arm | Patio Shade Awning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Permanent aluminium frame with adjustable blades | Wall-mounted folding arms with fabric | Track-guided fabric on pergola beams |
| Rain handling | Good in light rain. Not sealed. Water gets through in sustained rain | Light rain only — retract in heavy rain | Moderate — depends on fabric and pitch |
| Wind handling | Strongest — rigid fixed frame | Retract in strong wind | Better than folding arm, retract in storms |
| Light control | Best — infinite positions 0–180° | Shade or open — no middle ground | Shade or open — limited adjustment |
| Ventilation | Adjustable airflow through blade angle | Good — open sides | Good — depends on fabric porosity |
| Year-round use | All seasons, all weather | Primarily summer shade | Primarily summer shade |
| Best for | Permanent patio rooms, braai areas, hospitality, modern homes | Balconies, seasonal shade, lighter budget | Large pergola patios, holiday homes |
| Investment | Higher — permanent architectural addition | Lower — good value for flexible shade | Mid-range — depends on span |
Many clients combine products — a louvred awning overhead with outdoor weather blinds on the sides for wind and privacy. This layered approach gives you a fully enclosed outdoor room when you need it and open-air living when you want it.
Not sure which suits your patio? See our retractable awnings comparison for more detail, or WhatsApp Duncan a photo of your space for honest advice.
Where We Have Installed Louvred Awnings
Every site presents different structural, wind and aesthetic challenges — which is exactly why we design each system from scratch rather than selling off-the-shelf units.
- Pezula Estate, Knysna — custom colour-matched systems meeting strict estate guidelines on exposed headland sites
- Simola Golf and Country Estate, Knysna — white louvred systems integrating with contemporary glass-and-steel architecture
- Thesen Island, Knysna — lagoon-front properties where salt spray, wind and humidity are most intense
- The Heads, Knysna — exposed cliff-top installations where wind loading calculations are critical
- Fernwood Estate, Knysna — modern homes with mountain views complementing floor-to-ceiling glass
- Plettenberg Bay — large-scale residential and hospitality multi-bay configurations
- George and Wilderness — suburban and estate properties where afternoon heat is the primary concern
Residential, Commercial and Hospitality
For homes: Louvred awnings work best over entertainment patios, braai areas, pool decks and outdoor dining spaces where you want permanent year-round use. They suit modern architecture particularly well — clean lines, no draped fabric, and a finish that integrates with the building. Pair with outdoor blinds for complete enclosure or leave the sides open for uninterrupted views.
For restaurants and hospitality: Garden Route restaurants, lodges and guesthouses rely on outdoor seating for revenue. A louvred awning keeps tables dry and cool without closing off the atmosphere. Staff adjust blades during service as conditions change. We design multi-bay systems for larger commercial spans and offer annual service plans.
For Airbnb and holiday rentals: Guests expect usable outdoor space. Motorised control with rain sensors means the patio stays protected even when nobody is managing it. This extends usable area year-round and improves guest reviews.
Motorised Control and Automation
Manual louvred awnings use a simple crank. For daily use and larger spans, we recommend motorised operation with Somfy controls — smooth, quiet blade adjustment at the touch of a remote, wall switch or smartphone app.
Optional sensors take control further. Rain sensors close blades automatically. Wind sensors respond to gusts. Sun sensors extend shade when UV intensity rises. For holiday homes and rental properties, sensor automation protects the structure without intervention.
Read more about blind and awning automation in the Garden Route.
Manufactured and Installed by Custom Blinds
We do not sell imported flat-pack louvred systems. Every unit is designed for your specific site — we calculate wind loading, check structural mounting points, confirm blade spans and drainage routing before manufacturing begins at our Knysna facility.
This matters because no two patios are the same. A Pezula headland property needs different engineering to a sheltered Fernwood courtyard. A restaurant terrace at 12 metres has different structural requirements to a residential patio at 5 metres. We design around real conditions, not catalogue assumptions.
Every Installation Includes
- Free on-site consultation and measurement
- Wind loading and structural assessment
- Custom colour selection and estate compliance guidance
- Professional installation by our in-house team — no subcontractors
- Warranty coverage on frame, blades and mechanisms
- Ongoing maintenance support and annual service options
Pricing and How the Process Works
Louvred awnings are made to measure, so pricing depends on span, projection, colour, control type and installation complexity. We provide clear, transparent quotes after a proper site assessment.
- Share photos and rough sizes of your patio via WhatsApp for a first indication
- Duncan visits on site to confirm measurements, structural mounting and wind exposure
- You choose blade style, colour, manual or motorised control, and any add-ons
- We manufacture to order and schedule installation once all components are ready
Typical lead times range from 3–6 weeks depending on span and complexity. Accurate timelines confirmed at quote stage.
Care and Maintenance
Louvred awnings are low maintenance but not no maintenance. In coastal areas:
- Rinse blades and frame monthly with fresh water to remove salt deposits
- Clean with mild soap and a soft brush twice a year
- Check drainage channels for leaf debris — blocked gutters cause pooling
- Lubricate moving parts and check motor operation annually
- Inspect fixings and mounting points for corrosion signs
We offer annual service plans for residential and hospitality clients. Read our guide on how to clean and maintain your blinds, shutters and awnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do aluminium louvred awnings last?
With proper maintenance, 15–25 years in Garden Route coastal conditions. The powder-coated aluminium frames resist corrosion, and blade mechanisms are engineered for decades of daily operation. Annual servicing extends longevity further.
Can louvred awnings handle Garden Route wind?
Yes. The rigid aluminium frame is inherently stronger than fabric-based systems. We calculate wind loading for each installation site, selecting appropriate frame gauge, fixing methods and blade configuration for exposed coastal properties.
Do louvred awnings keep rain out?
When blades are fully closed, integrated channels along each louvre direct rainwater to guttering at the frame edges. The area below stays sheltered during normal to heavy rain.
What is the difference between a louvred awning and a pergola?
A traditional pergola provides partial shade through fixed beams but offers no rain deflection and limited light control. A louvred awning replaces those fixed battens with adjustable aluminium blades that manage sun, rain, heat and ventilation. It is a pergola that works in all weather.
Can I add motorisation to a manual louvred awning later?
In most cases, yes. We design blade mechanisms to be compatible with motor retrofit. Specifying motorisation from the start is more cost-effective. Learn more about automation.
Do louvred awnings comply with estate architectural guidelines?
Our systems integrate with existing architecture and can be custom colour-matched. We have installed across Pezula, Simola, Thesen Island and other Garden Route estates with strict guidelines.
What colours are available?
Standard: white and charcoal. Custom powder coating in any RAL colour is available. Charcoal is the most requested finish for contemporary Garden Route homes.
Can outdoor blinds be added to a louvred awning?
Yes. Many clients pair louvred awnings with outdoor weather blinds on the sides. We plan mounting positions during design so additions look integrated.
How do louvred awnings compare to retractable awnings on cost?
Louvred awnings are a higher initial investment than retractable folding arm or patio shade awnings. The trade-off is superior weather protection, longer lifespan, year-round use and no fabric replacement costs.
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings™ — Garden Route’s independent blinds, shutters, awnings, automation and security specialists since 2010. Serving Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, Wilderness, Mossel Bay and Buffalo Bay.
