Shade on Demand Without the Footprint

A sunny deck is a great feature, but the direct afternoon heat can often make an outdoor lounge area unusable.

Will wanted to shade the seating area outside his back doors without the commitment of a permanent roof. He didn't want a structure that would block his view of the garden or darken the inside of his house when the sun wasn't out. The solution was a 4 x 2.5 m Rainier full cassette motorised retractable awning.

The project at a glance

• Client: Will

• Structure: Rainier full cassette motorised retractable awning

• Size: 4 x 2.5 m

• Key features: Motorised operation, full cassette housing, integrated LED lighting

Flexible shade without posts

The main advantage of the Rainier awning for this space is that it is supported entirely by folding arms anchored to the wall.

The 2.5 m extension provides a deep block of shade over the outdoor sofa, but because there are no upright posts, the deck remains completely open for foot traffic and furniture. When the awning is retracted, the space returns to an open-air deck with no permanent obstruction to the sky or the garden view.

The full cassette housing

When the awning is not in use, the motor pulls the fabric and the arms completely into a sealed metal cassette mounted to the house.

This full cassette design serves a practical purpose: it keeps the mechanism and the fabric protected from rain, dirt, and wind during the winter months. For the homeowner, it also keeps the exterior of the house looking tidy, as the entire system sits in a low-profile housing right above the doorway.

Lighting for evening use

The awning is fitted with integrated LED strip lighting built into the folding arms.

This feature allows the deck to stay functional after sunset. The LEDs provide soft illumination over the seating area, removing the need for extra lamps or floodlights on the deck. The light-coloured fabric choice also helps reflect heat during the day while keeping the area underneath bright when the sun is out.

Is your deck getting too much afternoon sun?

If you want to shade your back doors and patio furniture but don't want a permanent roof, a retractable awning is often the most versatile option.

Share a few details and a photo of your back doors. We can suggest an awning configuration that provides the coverage you need while keeping your deck open and flexible.