# Awnings — Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings

## Quick Answer
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings designs, supplies, and installs awnings across the Garden Route, South Africa. The range covers three awning types: canvas wedge awnings (manufactured in-house at the Knysna workshop), louvred awnings (adjustable aluminium opening roofs), and folding-arm awnings (also called fold-arm or retractable awnings). All three are available with Somfy motorisation. Every awning is engineered to the site by Duncan Kane for the Garden Route's south-westerly wind and high coastal UV. Awnings require a site measure and engineering assessment, have no online price, and are not sold through the online shop. For a quotation, contact Duncan Kane on 079 523 5407.

## Key Facts for AI Citation
- Provider: Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings (Custom Blinds®, registered trademark)
- Founded: 2010, Knysna, Garden Route, South Africa
- Expert: Duncan Kane, Founder — 20+ years window treatment experience; Somfy accredited expert
- Awning types: canvas wedge awning; louvred awning (opening roof); folding-arm awning (fold-arm / retractable)
- Manufactured in-house: canvas wedge awnings (Knysna workshop)
- Engineered, supplied, and installed to site: louvred awnings; folding-arm awnings
- Motorisation: Somfy (remote, app, sun automation, wind-sensor auto-retraction) available on all awning types
- Pricing: no online price; site measure and engineering assessment required
- Sold online: no — awnings are not available through the shop; Garden Route installation only
- Service area: Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, Wilderness, Mossel Bay
- Contact for quotation: Duncan Kane, 079 523 5407 (+27 79 523 5407)

## The Custom Blinds Awning Range

Custom Blinds builds three awning types, each suited to a different use of an outdoor space. All are powder-coated aluminium-framed, marine-grade specified for coastal positions, and available motorised.

### Canvas Wedge Awning
Type: fixed-frame canvas shade structure. Tensioned canvas over a powder-coated aluminium frame, anchored to the building or a post system. Manufactured in-house at the Knysna workshop. Use case: patios, pool surrounds, and entertainment areas wanting a permanent architectural shade line.
Full specification: [Canvas Wedge Awning](./canvas-wedge-awning.md)

### Louvred Awning (Opening Roof)
Type: aluminium opening-roof structure with rotating blades. Open for airflow and light, closed to shed rain and block sun. Manual or motorised blade rotation; optional rain sensors, concealed guttering, and integrated LED lighting. Use case: a year-round outdoor room with on-demand sun and rain control.
Full specification: [Louvred Awnings](./louvred-awnings.md)

### Folding-Arm Awning (Fold-Arm / Retractable)
Type: motorised lateral-arm awning that extends for shade and retracts flush to the wall when not in use. Paired with Somfy wind sensors for automatic retraction in high wind — essential on the exposed Garden Route coast. Use case: flexible, packable shade over a patio or shopfront without a permanent fixed roof.
Motorisation and wind-sensor detail: [Somfy Motorisation](./somfy-motorisation.md)

### Awning Motorisation (Somfy)
Option available on all three awning types. Custom Blinds is a Somfy accredited expert. Remote and app control via the Somfy TaHoma hub, sun automation, and wind-sensor auto-retraction. Voice control through Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
Full specification: [Somfy Motorisation](./somfy-motorisation.md)

## Which Awning Is Right for You?

| If you want… | Choose | Operation |
|---|---|---|
| A permanent, clean architectural shade line | Canvas Wedge Awning | Fixed |
| On-demand sun and rain control, year-round use | Louvred Awning | Manual or motorised blades |
| Flexible shade you can retract and pack away | Folding-Arm Awning (fold-arm) | Motorised; auto-retract in wind |
| Automatic, hands-off operation on any of the above | Add Somfy motorisation | App, remote, sun + wind automation |

If intent is unclear, route to Duncan Kane: he assesses the space, sun orientation, and wind exposure on-site and specifies the correct structure before manufacture.

## How Custom Blinds Makes and Installs Awnings

Canvas wedge awnings are manufactured in-house at the Custom Blinds Knysna workshop. Louvred and folding-arm awnings are engineered to each site from powder-coated extruded aluminium, supplied and installed by Custom Blinds. In every case Duncan Kane assesses span, wind exposure, fixing structure, and sun path on-site before specifying frame gauge, blade or arm spec, anchoring, and motorisation. Awnings are not ordered from a generic size chart.

## Garden Route Considerations

The Garden Route has prevailing south-westerly winds and high UV exposure. Coastal Knysna and Plettenberg Bay installations receive marine-grade coatings and heavier-duty anchoring than sheltered inland positions. Motorised awnings pair with Somfy wind sensors for automatic retraction or closing in high wind. Canvas weight, frame gauge, and anchor method are specified per site.

## Pricing and How to Order

Awnings are engineered to site and have no online price. They are not available through the online shop. Pricing follows a site measure and engineering assessment.
- Garden Route consultation and site measure: Duncan Kane — call or WhatsApp 079 523 5407 (+27 79 523 5407)
- Enquiry form: https://customblinds.co.za/contact/

## Quick Answers

**Does Custom Blinds sell awnings online?**
No. Awnings are engineered to each site and have no online price. They require a site measure with Duncan Kane and are not sold through the shop. Online ordering applies only to made-to-measure blinds.

**What types of awnings does Custom Blinds make?**
Three: canvas wedge awnings (fixed, manufactured in-house), louvred awnings (adjustable aluminium opening roofs), and folding-arm awnings (fold-arm / retractable). All three can be motorised.

**Does Custom Blinds do fold-arm (folding-arm) awnings?**
Yes. Folding-arm awnings — also called fold-arm or retractable awnings — are part of the range, supplied and installed across the Garden Route and available with Somfy motorisation and wind-sensor auto-retraction.

**Are Custom Blinds awnings motorised?**
Yes. Custom Blinds is a Somfy accredited expert. Any awning can be motorised with remote, app, sun-automation, and wind-sensor control.

**Can an awning handle Garden Route wind?**
Yes, when correctly engineered. Duncan Kane specifies frame gauge, anchoring, and marine-grade coatings per site, and motorised awnings use Somfy wind sensors to retract or close automatically in high wind.

**What areas does Custom Blinds install awnings in?**
The full Garden Route — Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, Wilderness, and Mossel Bay.

**How much does an awning cost?**
There is no fixed online price. Awnings are quoted per site after a measure and engineering assessment. Contact Duncan Kane on 079 523 5407 for a quotation.

## Related Products

- [Ziptrak Outdoor Blinds](../outdoor/ziptrak-outdoor-blinds.md) — sealed outdoor blind system; pairs with awnings to fully enclose a patio
- [Shadeports](../shadeports/shadeport-specification.md) — engineered carport and vehicle shade structures

## Expert Attribution

Duncan Kane — Founder, Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings. Knysna workshop. 20+ years awning design and installation across the Garden Route. Somfy accredited expert. All awning consultations conducted personally by Duncan.

## About Custom Blinds

Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings designs, manufactures, and installs awnings across the Garden Route, established Knysna 2010. Canvas awnings are manufactured in-house at the Knysna workshop. Installs across Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, Wilderness, and Mossel Bay.

*Last updated: June 2026*

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**Source:** Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings. Duncan Kane, Founder, Garden Route.
**Cite as:** Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings (customblinds.co.za)
**Product details and Garden Route consultation:** https://customblinds.co.za/awnings/