Fixed awnings built for Melbourne homes and businesses
Fixed awnings are permanent fabric canopies stretched over a rigid aluminium or steel frame and fixed to the building. They stay in position all year, with nothing to wind in, so they shade windows and doorways and give rain cover without anyone needing to remember to open them.
Yarra Shade makes fixed awnings in Melbourne to any size. Common jobs include sun-facing windows, back doors, patios and shopfronts that need shade plus a place to show signage. Every frame is fixed into a load-bearing structure and powder-coated in Dulux colours. Each fabric is chosen for the job, whether that’s a lounge window that cops the afternoon sun or a busy shop entrance.
Types of fixed awnings we make
There are five fixed awning styles. Each is custom-sized to the window, door or frontage.
Wedge awnings
These have a straight, angled profile and clean lines. Wedge awnings suit modern homes, office windows and long shopfronts.
French awnings
This is the traditional curved canopy, often with a valance. French awnings suit period homes, cafes and boutique shopfronts.
Barrel awnings
A rounded, quarter-barrel profile that sheds rain well. Barrel awnings work over doorways and entrances.
Dutch hood awnings
A domed hood over a single window or door. Dutch hoods give a classic look on heritage-style facades.
Canopies
Larger fixed covers for entrances, walkways and outdoor areas where you need more coverage than a window awning gives.
Retractable fixed arm awnings
A retractable fixed arm awning, also called a fixed retractable awning or pivot arm awning, sits between a fixed awning and a folding arm awning. The fabric rolls onto a barrel above the window. Two straight arms are fixed to the wall at a pivot point, and they swing down and out as the awning lowers. You can raise it in winter to let light in and drop it in summer to block direct sun on the glass.
Fixed arm awnings are different from folding arm awnings. Folding arms project horizontally to shade a patio or deck. Fixed arms angle down to shade a window.
Fixed window awnings
Fixed window awnings block direct sun before it reaches the glass, which keeps rooms cooler and protects floors and furniture from fading. They suit north- and west-facing windows in Melbourne that get hammered by afternoon sun.
Wedge and Dutch hood styles are the most common choices for windows. We size each awning to the window opening and the sun angle, so it shades the glass during the hours that matter instead of only the top half.
If you also want privacy or to block wind-driven rain, a fixed window awning can be paired with outdoor blinds below it.
Residential Awnings are suitable for:
- Sun-facing windows
- Patios and decks
- BBQ areas
- Above back and front doorways
Commercial awnings are recommended for:
- Shopfronts and entrances, with your branding printed on the fabric
- Walkways
- Smoking areas
- Long window spans on offices, clinics and showrooms
Planosol is the standard fabric for shops. Liso, PVC and Atmosphere fabrics are also available, and most can be branded with your logo or business name.
How we build fixed awnings
The materials we use are selected to stand up to Melbourne weather and protect the building over the long term. The difference comes down to the frame, the finish and the fixing.
- Frames: aluminium or steel, cut and welded to size. They are not off-the-shelf kits.
- Finish: Dulux powder coat in any colour. Powder coat resists corrosion and matches window frames, gutters or brand colours.
- Fabrics: Planosol, Liso, PVC (waterproof) and Atmosphere, chosen for sun, rain and branding needs.
- Fixing: We fix into true load-bearing structure. We never rely on cladding, a fascia board or the face of a single-skin brick wall. We check the wall type at the site consult.
- Crew: Our own installers do the work,
We’re a Registered Building Practitioner and members of the Specialised Textiles Association and Master Builders Victoria. Every job is quoted, engineered and installed by a licensed builder.
Permits for fixed awnings in Victoria
Most small fixed window and door awnings on a home don’t need a building permit. Larger canopies, awnings in the front setback, and awnings that project over a council footpath may need building and/or council approval. We check this at the quote stage.
As a registered building practitioner, we can handle the building permit ourselves when one is needed. That means you aren’t left chasing a separate builder or draftsperson. If your property sits in a heritage overlay, council planning approval may also be needed for anything visible from the street.
Our process
- Free consultation. We come to the site, usually for around 30 minutes, to take measurements and check the wall structure and sun direction.
- Design. We provide a 3D image showing the awning on your building and where the shade falls during the day.
- Itemised quote. You get a detailed quote covering frame, fabric, fixings, installation and any permits.
- Permit (if needed). We lodge and manage the permit as a registered builder.
- Installation. Our own crew installs the awning and leaves the site clean.
Gallery
FAQs
A fixed awning is a fabric canopy stretched over a rigid aluminium or steel frame that is permanently fixed to a wall. Unlike a retractable awning, it doesn't wind in. It stays in place to shade windows, doorways or shopfronts and shelter them from rain all year.
Fixed awnings are better if you want permanent, low-maintenance shade with no moving parts that can be left out in wind and rain. Retractable awnings are better if you want sun in winter and shade in summer. Choose by how the space is used. Windows and shopfronts usually suit fixed. Patios you use in all seasons often suit a folding arm awning or retractable roof.
Our awning materials are chosen to protect your building from weather for up to around 10 years. Powder-coated aluminium or steel frames generally outlast the fabric, so the fabric can be replaced on the same frame.
