Case studies
Case studies
For years awning design conversations centred on the coastal south-easter. Over the past five years that has changed.
Field experience across Simola Estate, Pezula and comparable elevated, exposed positions has shown wind loading on the Garden Route to be more demanding and more directionally varied than older design assumptions allowed. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings has adapted its awning specifications continuously through this period, working with its awning suppliers to refine each unit to its exact location rather than applying one specification across different sites.
A north-facing position at Simola, once treated as sheltered from the south-easter, is now specified to the same standard as a fully exposed south-easter-facing aspect on a private coastal estate. The wind loading assumptions of 2019 are no longer adequate for the same positions today. This is not a product problem: every unit has been adapted individually, and each is refined further as performance data comes in from installations across the estate.
Western and south-western exposure at Pezula and similar sea-facing estates presents a different challenge. Afternoon squalls arrive quickly after calm conditions, and the combination of uplift and racking forces in a short, intense event means a position that looks sheltered is treated very differently from five years ago. The pace of onset is the risk: there is often no time for a manual response. Every specification on an exposed estate starts with the worst case for that exact orientation, not the average conditions.
The South African Weather Service issues regular damaging-wind warnings for the Garden Route District, and the Garden Route District Municipality publishes SAWS impact-based warnings when damaging wind is forecast. Duncan’s observations at Simola and Pezula are consistent with the documented trend of increasing intensity in coastal weather events across the Western Cape.
Retractable awnings are dynamic structures. Their vulnerability is not steady wind but sudden gusts with the fabric extended.
At the moment of peak gust a folding arm awning transfers significant load to the wall, and the arm joints, fabric seams and wall anchors absorb it at once.
Somfy motorisation with a wind sensor is specified as standard on retractable awnings, not as an upgrade. The south-easter and the northern wind events at Simola do not wait for the homeowner to notice conditions building. A sensor set to retract at the threshold for that site needs nobody present. The cost of the sensor is recovered in a single avoided replacement. For holiday homes and investment properties left unoccupied for weeks, automation is the only specification that makes a retractable awning viable on an exposed Garden Route site.
Awnings are often attached to balconies, beams or parapets never designed for modern wind loads. The connection between product and building is almost always the critical point. Core drilling, chemical anchors and upgraded bolt specifications are used where the site assessment shows they are required. Where the structure cannot accept the load, Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings recommends an alternative rather than fitting an installation that will fail under real conditions.
Salt is in the air, the mist and the rain. The question is not whether corrosion starts but how fast it progresses.
Even with stainless steel components and carefully chosen powder-coat finishes, salt builds up on brackets, fasteners, arm joints and mechanisms.
Fresh water over visible components and fabric at regular intervals, before salt can corrode or restrict movement.
Lubrication checks and sensor-setting verification for motorised systems, with anchor inspection and a full system check.
Scheduled service contracts cover cleaning, lubrication, anchor inspection and assessment where the awning runs unattended between visits.
“Plan your awning for the weather you actually have, not the weather you hope for. Share your site photos, orientation and wind concerns and we will give you a practical recommendation on structure, automation and service that fits your position on the Garden Route.”Duncan Kane Founder, Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings
The standard recommendation from Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings for every retractable awning on the Garden Route is automation with a wind sensor. Wind onset is sudden and directionally unpredictable: coastal south-easterlies and northern winds off the Outeniqua mountains can load the same structure from opposite sides within hours. Somfy motors with wind sensors retract the awning when conditions change, whether the homeowner is present or not. Manual awnings remain available, with the caught-out risk stated plainly.
Both coastal south-easterlies and northern winds off the Outeniqua mountains. Five years of field experience across Simola Estate, Pezula and comparable elevated positions has shown wind loading to be more demanding and more directionally varied than older assumptions allowed. A north-facing awning at Simola is specified to the same standard as a fully exposed south-easter-facing installation at sea level. Every awning is assessed and specified for its actual location.
Retractable folding arm awnings and louvred awnings for patios and decks from Mossel Bay through Knysna to Plettenberg Bay, alongside fall arm and canvas awnings. Retractable awnings use a Somfy motorised folding arm and retract flush when not in use; louvred awnings use adjustable aluminium blades on a fixed structure. Both require a site assessment before specification: opening size, substrate, wind exposure, sun angle and intended use all affect which product is correct.
Structural anchors are site-specific. Core drilling and chemical anchors are used where the substrate assessment requires them, based on substrate material, wall construction and the load the awning imposes on its fixing points. A site assessment precedes every installation and the anchor specification is recorded in the project file.
Rinse fabric and frame regularly with fresh water. Retract the awning when not in use to reduce UV and salt exposure. Lubricate the arm joints and motor connections at least annually. Never roll up wet fabric: let it dry fully extended so mould cannot establish in the folds. Duncan provides a written maintenance schedule with every awning installation.
Yes, always. Retract retractable awnings when high wind is expected or building. Gusts on the Garden Route are unpredictable, particularly in elevated positions. Automated awnings retract on the wind sensor, but even motorised awnings should be retracted by hand during prolonged or forecast storm conditions. For louvred awnings, consult Duncan on the safe blade position for your site before a wind event.
05 Site assessment
Wind direction, wall substrate, structural capacity and exposure are assessed from your photos, and at your property in Knysna, Plett and Sedgefield, before any awning is specified or priced. WhatsApp Duncan on 079 523 5407 with photos of the space for a complimentary estimate.
Garden Route onlyPlettenberg Bay, Knysna, Sedgefield, Wilderness, George and Mossel Bay.
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings is a Garden Route window covering specialist established in Knysna in 2010. Custom Lifestyle awnings are manufactured in the Knysna factory with Somfy motors and solution-dyed acrylic canvas; folding arm awnings are supplied to specification and installed. For Garden Route weather warnings see the South African Weather Service and the Garden Route District Municipality.
Content reviewed by the Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings team.
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings | South Africa’s trusted blinds, shutters and awnings specialists since 2010.