If you are researching patio awnings, you will quickly notice something confusing. Prices vary dramatically. What should you expect to pay for a high quality, motorised, fully installed awning in the UK.
To set a clear baseline, a motorised awning from WindowTreat typically starts at around £3,000 including VAT and installation.
This is for a smaller, full cassette system with Somfy motorisation and professional fitting. From there, the price increases depending on the engineering, size, materials, and customisation your home requires.
This guide explains exactly what drives those costs. No jargon. No sales tactics. Just honest transparency so you can understand where your money goes and why two awnings that look similar online can be thousands of pounds apart in real life.
1. Cassette Type: Open cassette vs Semi Open Cassette vs Full enclosed Cassette
This is the single biggest cost driver for most homeowners.
At 6 metres wide, the difference between an un-cassetted awning and a full cassetted awning can be over £2,000.
Why such a big jump
A full cassette requires significantly more pressure die casted, powder coated aluminium. Aluminium prices have risen sharply over the years, and pressure die casting is essential for rigidity. When your awning is extended, the arms create enormous upward forces. A weak cassette simply cannot cope.
What each option means
- Open cassette High quality arms, motors, and fabrics, but the fabric roll and arms remain exposed to the weather. In the UK this is rarely advisable because rain, wind, and dirt shorten the lifespan.
- Semi-Open Cassette Offers partial protection but still leaves the arms exposed. Better than open-cassette, but still not the ideal aesthetics as the projection arms are left exposed.
- Full Enclosed Cassette The fabric, roller, and arms retract into a sealed aluminium housing. Maximum protection. Maximum longevity. Most UK homeowners choose this because of our climate.
The cassette type is not just a cosmetic choice. It is structural and protective, and the price reflects that.
2. Width of the Awning
Wider awnings cost more because they require more fabric, more aluminium, and more engineering. But the real cost jump happens when you cross the 6 metre threshold.
End Fix vs Multi Fix
- Up to 6 metres, some awnings can be installed using end fix brackets only.
- Beyond 6 metres, you need a multi fix awning with multiple load bearing brackets across the width.
A multi fix system at 6 metres wide can be over £1,000 more than an end fix equivalent at the same width and projection.
Why multi fix costs more
- More brackets
- More projection arms
- Heavier cassette
- Larger installation team
- More complex handling to get the awning into position
- Engineering to distribute forces safely across the wall
A 12 metre wide multi fix awning can cost twice the price of a 6 metre end fix awning at the same width and projection.
3. Projection Length of the Arms
Projection arms typically come in 1.6m, 2.1m, 2.6m, and 3.1m. Some systems offer giant arms at 3.6m and 4.1m.
The longer the projection, the more the cost increases.
On a 6 metre multi fix awning, the difference between short arms and long arms can be up to £2,000.
Why projection adds cost
- Longer arms use more material
- More fabric coverage is needed
- The forces on the wall increase significantly
- Additional arms may be required for fabric stability
4. Integrated LED Lighting
Lighting transforms how you use your outdoor space. It also adds cost.
Typical lighting pricing
- LED arm lighting £450 to £1,000 per pair depending on arm length
- Headbox lighting on Sol Invictus LED strip and illuminated end caps
- Electrical box Required for the receiver and transformer
All lighting can be controlled from your handset or the Somfy Tahoma app.
5. Motorisation
This is the most surprising cost factor for many homeowners.
A manual awning can be cheaper, but the upgrade to a Somfy IO motor is usually under £500 for the same size. Albeit you will need an electrician to supply mains power 3 core cable backed by 5A spur. Alternatively the motor cable can be plugged into a 3 pin internal or external socket.
Why WindowTreat focuses on motorised awnings
- Somfy IO gives two way communication
- You can see the exact awning position in the Somfy Tahoma app
- Quiet, reliable motors
- Worldwide technical support
- 5 year warranty
- Better long term usability
Manual awnings are available, but they do not align with the level of performance and convenience our customers expect.
6. Heating
A single 1.5 kW radiant heater costs £600 including VAT.
One heater can comfortably cover up to 4 metres width at a 3.1 metre projection.
Radiant heat warms people and objects directly, not the air in between, which makes it ideal for outdoor use.
7. Fabric Choice
All WindowTreat awnings use Dickson solar fabrics, engineered for the UK climate.
Why Dickson Solar Fabrics work best for your awning
- Water and dirt resistant
- Rain beads and drains off at a 15 degree pitch making your awning shower proof
- 10 year warranty
- 100% solution dyed acrylic. The colour is locked into the yarn like a carrot, not dyed to the outside like a radish
Fabric choice is essential for longevity, colour stability, and weather performance.
8. Bespoke Bracketry and Structural Requirements
This is the cost factor homeowners struggle with most, because it depends entirely on your property.
Two storey homes
Usually straightforward. Plenty of brickwork above the doors. You may only need:
- Pipe brackets to navigate downpipes Approx £500 per pair
Single storey extensions and bungalows
This is where things change.
For awnings up to 6 metres:
- End fix awnings can use spreader plates to distribute forces
- Gutter brackets can raise the awning to achieve correct pitch Approx £600
For multi fix awnings:
- You may need a crossbar system if the structure cannot take the load
- Post build crossbars can cost £3,000+
This is often not budgeted for, but it is essential if awnings need to span wide sliding or bi-fold doors on single storey extensions post build.
9. Drop Down Electric Valance
Available only on the Sol Elite up to 6 metres wide.
- 1.2 metre drop
- Retracts fully into the cassette
- Excellent for low sun glare
- Adds over £2,000 to the awning
Fixed valances are also available for under £200, but they flap in the wind and are mainly cosmetic. They are recommended with semi-cassette awnings to hide the projection arms.
10. Fixing Methods
Some companies use expanding anchor bolts. Over time, wind forces can enlarge the hole and compromise the fixing.
On brickwork WindowTreat uses:
- Chemical resin
- Anchor bar
- Structural integration with your masonry
It adds a few hundred pounds in materials and labour, but it ensures the awning remains secure for years.
11. Smart Controls and Sensors
- Somfy Tahoma app Under £200
- Sun and wind sensors Around £200
These protect your awning and automate comfort. You can disable them in winter if needed.
12. Powder Coating
Standard colours include anthracite grey, black, and white.
If you want a custom RAL colour to match your glazing or architecture:
- Approximately £150 per metre.
- Minimum order of £600 to set up for specific RAL Colour
This applies to both the awning and the bracketry.
WindowTreat advises using the RAL K1 Classic colour chart to help get this right.
13. Labour and Installation
Installation varies depending on:
- Width
- Projection
- Weight
- Access
- Bracketry complexity
- Number of installers required
Typical installation costs range from £1,000 to £3,000.
Final Thoughts
A patio awning is not a simple product. It is a structural, weather resisting, motorised shading system that must be engineered to handle significant forces. The price reflects the materials, the engineering, the safety requirements, and the customisation needed for your home.
When you combine all the major cost influencers in one awning, the price can rise significantly. A fully cassetted system, at a wide width, with a large projection, installed over sliding doors on a single storey extension, fitted with a drop down electric valance, bespoke bracketry, and full Somfy automation can take the total investment well beyond £13,000 fully installed. This is because single storey extensions often require advanced bracketry or crossbar systems to safely handle the wind loads created by a large awning.
The same awning on a double storey property can cost noticeably less because the brickwork above the doors provides natural load bearing strength.
If you understand the cost drivers above, you will be able to compare quotes with confidence and avoid the pitfalls of choosing an awning that looks good in a photo but fails in real world conditions.
