Smart awnings: How automation makes summer living easier

Summer in New Zealand is all about outdoor living, from family barbecues to relaxed evenings spent outside. But with strong sunlight, gusty winds and unpredictable weather, creating a comfortable outdoor space can be tricky.



Smart awnings make it simple. They combine shade, style and modern technology to give you effortless control over your outdoor comfort. With motorised operation, built-in weather sensors and adjustable pitch settings, you can create the perfect amount of shade at any time of day. Whether you’re hosting friends or enjoying a quiet afternoon, automated awnings let you enjoy summer living on your terms with convenience, comfort and peace of mind.

What we'll cover:

Smart awnings take convenience to a new level with Somfy motorisation, giving you complete control at the touch of a button. Using a wall switch, remote control, or smartphone app, you can easily extend or retract your awning to create instant shade whenever you need it.

Somfy systems also integrate seamlessly with popular smart home platforms such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa, allowing for hands-free control using simple voice commands. With the Somfy app, you can schedule your awning to extend or retract automatically throughout the day or link it with other Somfy-powered blinds around your home for effortless coordination.

This smooth, quiet technology eliminates the need for manual winding or physical adjustment, making it easy to create a comfortable outdoor environment in seconds. Whether you are hosting a summer barbecue or relaxing with a book, your awning responds instantly, providing reliable shade and protection with minimal effort.

Smart awnings can be equipped with optional sun and wind sensors that automatically adjust to the weather, keeping your outdoor space comfortable and your awning protected. When the sun is detected, the awning extends to provide shade and reduce glare. If wind speeds reach a programmed safety level, it retracts automatically to prevent damage. These intelligent sensors work seamlessly with the Somfy automation system, so your awning responds to changing conditions without you having to lift a finger. It is an effortless way to maintain comfort and safety throughout the day, even when you are not home.

For New Zealand’s unpredictable summer weather, this feature is especially valuable. It allows you to enjoy time outdoors without worrying about sudden gusts or harsh sunlight, knowing your awning will adjust itself to keep everything secure and comfortable.

Smart comfort features for summer living

Every element of a smart awning is designed to make outdoor living more enjoyable and effortless. With adjustable pitch control, you can fine-tune the angle of your awning from -5° to -40°, ensuring the perfect balance of shade and airflow throughout the day. A steeper pitch helps block low afternoon sun, while a gentler angle allows you to enjoy the warmth of the morning light.

Combined with Somfy automation and weather sensors, these features create a responsive outdoor system that adapts to your lifestyle. The awning can automatically extend during the hottest part of the day, adjust to reduce glare as the sun moves and retract in the evening or when wind speeds increase.

This smart functionality means you can host friends, enjoy family meals, or simply relax outdoors without having to think about changing conditions. Your awning manages shade and protection for you, allowing you to focus on what really matters: enjoying summer days and evenings in comfort.

Built for New Zealand homes, designed for modern living

Smart awnings offer a simple way to make outdoor living more comfortable and convenient. With Somfy automation, weather sensors and adjustable pitch control, they adapt effortlessly to changing conditions so you can enjoy your outdoor space at any time of day. Smart automation helps you to get the most out of your space. By extending automatically during the heat of the day and retracting when conditions change, your awning maintains comfort and protection without any effort required. It is a simple yet effective way to make outdoor living more enjoyable, while ensuring your awning stays protected for years to come.

Built from durable, marine-grade materials and designed for New Zealand’s climate, our awnings provide lasting shade, protection and peace of mind. Whether you want to keep your deck cool in summer, protect furniture from harsh UV rays, or enjoy the convenience of controlling your awning from your phone or voice assistant, a smart awning delivers comfort and practicality in one seamless solution.

For a stylish, reliable shading system that is built for New Zealand homes, contact us today to learn more about our automated awning options and book your free measure and quote.