Awning Accessories

How would you like to control your awning or blind?

Most Samson awnings, pergolas and blinds are available with manual or electric operation, with Somfy motors powering the majority of products we install. Once you choose electric operation you can then decide how simple or advanced you want the control system to be, knowing that many options can be upgraded at a later date. Most of the products we sell are electric operated, mainly due to their larger sizes and ease of control with automation.

Common control choices include:

Wall mounted switch, straightforward open and close control, ideal for single awnings where you are usually at home and in the vicinity when using them.

Handheld remote controls, control from the garden, patio or inside, with single channel and multi channel handsets available for multiple awnings, blinds or screens.

Smartphone and tablet app control via Somfy Tahoma and other smart home systems, giving control from anywhere and integration with lighting, heaters and other devices.

Voice control and scenes for smart home users who want to trigger several products at once, such as awning, side screens and lighting for an evening on the patio.

All of the controls can be specified and matched to your exact requirements to enhance and prolong the life of your awning or blind, and to safely retract systems when the weather may change suddenly for the worse. Settings can also be adjusted later so the system continues to match your lifestyle and how you use your outdoor space.the world leaders for quality backed up with excellent guarantees.

Wind, sun and rain sensors, automatic weather protection

Wind, sun and rain sensors are among the most useful accessories we supply, because they protect your awning and make it far more convenient to use. Instead of constantly watching the weather, the sensor monitors conditions and sends a command to your awning or blind automatically.

A typical combined sensor will operate when

Wind levels reach a set speed and the awning closes to protect the arms, cassette and fabric from damage. The wind sensor is the overriding key sensor in any system for obvious reasons,

Sun shines directly onto the sensor and the awning or blind opens to provide shade and reduce heat and glare.

Rain is detected by the sensor and in suitable applications the awning can extend to protect furniture or thresholds from showers, provided the specification, model and pitch allow safe use in rainfall.

We can offer different sensor combinations, depending on the product and exposure

Wind sensors
Rain sensors
Wind and sun sensors
Temperature sensors
Wind, sun and rain sensors

The sensitivity of each sensor is set during installation and can be fine tuned later if required, so for example a very exposed coastal property can be set to retract earlier than a more sheltered urban garden. Most electronic controls can also be added to existing Samson installations or, subject to survey, to awnings and blinds supplied by other companies.

Smart home and app control – The future of all control?

For customers who want maximum flexibility, we can integrate awnings, pergolas, vertical blinds, lighting and heaters with modern smart home systems. Using solutions such as the very flexible and cost effective Somfy Tahoma Switch, your awning or pergola can be controlled from a phone, laptop or tablet, scheduled alongside other devices and even operated by voice through compatible assistants.
2 way communication also lets you know the position on your smart app wherever you are in the world.

Smart control gives you

App control from inside or away from home, literally anywhere..

The ability to create scenes such as Evening on the Patio to extend the awning, lower side screens, switch on lighting and activate heaters together.
Simulate being at home for extra security with random opening and closing of blinds and other products when you are away..

Integration with other smart devices such as security shutters, interior blinds, lighting and sensors. Many more customers already are fully aware of smart home controls and are controlling gates, doors, lights and other products so why not your shading products?

Our team will discuss your current and future plans for home automation to make sure your new awning or blind can fit neatly into your wider smart home setup.

Retractable side blinds, horizontal fabric screens

Retractable side blinds, often called horizontal blinds or side screen awnings, provide a very effective solution to cold winds, low sun and unwanted views from neighbouring properties. They work particularly well alongside patio awnings, glass verandas and pergola systems to create a more sheltered, room like outdoor space.

Our side screen systems feature

A spring loaded fabric screen that pulls out from a slim wall mounted cassette to a matching end post in just a few seconds.

A wide choice of fabrics, including privacy fabrics, mesh screens that maintain outward vision, and designs to match many of our main awning fabrics.

Neat retraction back into the housing when not in use, leaving the area clear and uncluttered.

The side blinds we distribute are supplied by leading manufacturers such as Markilux and Weinor, ensuring excellent fabric quality, colour stability and long term reliability. They are a popular way to make exposed terraces and balconies more comfortable without blocking light and views completely.

Vertical external blinds on structures

Where you have a glass veranda, pergola or other fixed structure, vertical external blinds can be fitted to the sides or front to provide controllable shade, wind protection and privacy. These are cassette style blinds that run down guide wires or side channels to keep the fabric stable in wind, and are available with clear PVC or screen fabrics depending on the level of visibility you require.

Vertical external fabric blinds can:

Reduce wind chill and draughts under awnings and pergolas, making the space more comfortable in exposed locations.

Provide excellent solar shading for glazing, helping to prevent overheating in adjacent rooms while still allowing natural light.

Improve privacy from neighbouring properties whilst retaining outward views when using mesh or perforated fabrics.

They can be operated manually or electrically, and integrated with the same control systems and weather sensors used for your main awning or roof system. This allows you to control roof and side shading together or separately depending on the weather and how you are using the space.

Rising glass balustrades and glass windbreaks

Rising glass balustrades and glass windbreaks are an increasingly popular way to make exposed terraces, balconies and seating areas more usable without losing light or views. These systems combine a fixed lower glass section with an upper glass panel that can be raised when you want more shelter and lowered when you prefer an open feel.

Benefits of rising glass balustrades include

Excellent protection from wind while maintaining high levels of daylight and visibility.

Flexible height adjustment, allowing you to raise the barrier only when needed, for example in the evening or in stronger winds.

A clean, contemporary appearance that suits modern verandas, pergolas and terraces.

Electric models can be integrated with Somfy motors for effortless operation at the push of a button, while spring loaded manual systems offer a simple and reliable alternative. Used in combination with awnings, pergolas and side screens, glass balustrades can transform exposed outdoor areas into comfortable, all season spaces.

Putting it together, controls and wind protection for outdoor living

Once you have an awning, veranda or pergola in place, the right combination of controls, sensors and wind protection products can dramatically extend how often and how comfortably you use the space. For many of our customers this means pairing an electric awning or pergola roof with:

Weather sensors for wind, sun and, where appropriate, rain.

Smart or remote controls.

Retractable fabric side screens.

Vertical blinds or zip screens on the sides or front.

Rising glass balustrades or fixed glass or windbreaks.

Aluminium fixed or rotating louvre blades for control of wind, rain and privacy

This layered approach gives shade, shelter and privacy that can be adjusted through the various seasons, rather than a single product trying to do everything. We will shortly be launching a dedicated guide to wind protection and side infill options for awnings, verandas and pergola systems, which will explore fabric side screens, glass balustrades, vertical blinds and other solutions in more detail. Please ask our team for details if you are planning a more enclosed outdoor living area.