Cassette & folding arm awnings: Which one is right for your home?
Cassette & folding arm awnings
Which one is right for your home?
When it comes to creating a comfortable outdoor space, awnings are one of the most versatile solutions for New Zealand homes. Two of the most popular options are cassette awnings and folding arm awnings. Both provide reliable shade, protection from the elements and a clean, modern finish, but they differ in how they look, function, and fit into different outdoor areas.
As summer approaches, many Kiwi homeowners start thinking about how to make the most of their decks, patios, and outdoor entertaining spaces. Choosing between cassette & folding arm awnings can feel tricky, but understanding the strengths of each will make the decision easier.
In this article, we’ll explore what sets these two awning types apart, compare their features, and help you decide which option is the right match for your home and lifestyle.
What we'll cover:
What is a folding arm awning?
Learn how folding arm awnings work and why they’re a popular choice for creating flexible shade over decks and patios.
What is a cassette awning?
Discover how cassette awnings protect both the fabric and mechanism while offering a sleek, enclosed design.
The key differences
Compare the two styles side by side, from durability and coverage to cost and appearance.
How to choose the right awning for your home
Find practical tips to help you decide which option suits your outdoor space, lifestyle, and New Zealand’s climate.
FAQs
Answers to common questions homeowners ask when choosing between cassette and folding arm awnings.
What is a folding arm awning?
Folding arm awnings are built for flexibility and generous coverage, making them one of the most popular shading solutions for outdoor living. Using strong retractable arms, they extend smoothly over your patio or deck to create wide shade and fold neatly away when not needed. At Waikato Shutters & Blinds, our folding arm awnings can span up to seven metres wide with projections of up to four metres, offering extensive cover without the need for posts or support structures.
Their ability to adapt to changing conditions, fully extended for shade on hot afternoons or retracted in the evening for open skies, makes them a practical choice for entertaining, dining, and relaxing outdoors. Designed with durability in mind and paired with optional features to suit your needs, folding arm awnings are both versatile and reliable for New Zealand homes.
Generous coverage
Retractable arms provide wide shade that can span up to seven metres and projections of up to four metres. This makes them ideal for larger decks and outdoor entertaining areas.
Flexibility
Easily extend the awning for maximum shade during the day, then retract it to One of the standout benefits of this style is flexibility. On hot summer days, you can fully extend the awning to maximum shade, then retract it to enjoy cooler evenings or unobstructed views of the night sky.
Optional features
Choose from optional features like roller valances add extra screening, while pitch control lets you adjust the angle of the awning to manage shade as the sun moves. Telescopic poles can also be added for extra stability in breezy conditions, giving you confidence that your awning will stay strong when the weather shifts.
Durability & strength
Durability is another key strength. These awnings are built with heavy-duty springs and high-performance materials that are 15 times stronger than steel, ensuring stability, fabric tension, and long-lasting performance, folding arm awnings are both practical and adaptable.
Added protection
Optional accessories such as a rain hood can help protect the fabric from weather exposure, extending the life of your awning.
What is a cassette awning?
Cassette awnings are designed with protection and longevity in mind. Unlike folding arm awnings, where the fabric and mechanism remain partially exposed, cassette awnings fold everything neatly away into a durable aluminium housing when retracted. This enclosed design not only shields the awning from New Zealand’s harsh sun, rain, and wind, but also leaves a clean, streamlined finish against your home.
Built with heavy-duty materials and designed for smooth operation, cassette awnings offer a premium solution for homeowners who want reliable shade with minimal upkeep. They are especially well suited to exposed or coastal locations, and their slim, modern profile makes them an attractive choice for those who value both performance and presentation.
Protective housing
Cassette awnings are designed to provide sleek and enclosed protection to shield both the fabric and the operating components when not in use. When retracted, everything folds away into a durable aluminium housing, keeping the awning safe from New Zealand’s harsh weather and leaving a clean, streamlined finish against your home.
Durability & protection
One of the main advantages of cassette awnings is durability. The fabric and mechanism are completely enclosed, meaning they are less exposed to UV rays, rain, and wind, which helps extend their lifespan and reduces the need for maintenance. Heavy-duty springs maintain consistent tension, while corrosion-resistant aluminium profiles and Dyneema® connections in the joints provide stability and smooth performance over time.
Projection options
With custom-made projection sizes of 2m, 2.5m, 3m or 3.5m, cassette awnings can be tailored to fit different outdoor areas, from compact patios to wider spaces.
Finish
The finish is another strong feature of cassette awnings. With a slim, modern profile, they blend neatly into your home’s exterior when retracted. WSB also offers décor trim kits in colours such as Silver, White, or Graphite, so you can match the awning to your home’s architecture for a polished look.
Best suited for
For homeowners wanting a premium shading option with maximum protection, long-lasting performance and minimal upkeep, cassette awnings are a standout choice. They’re particularly well-suited to homes in exposed or coastal areas where extra protection is important.
The key differences
Both cassette and folding arm awnings offer shade, comfort, and protection, but the right choice depends on how you plan to use your outdoor space and what matters most to you. Folding arm awnings excel at wide coverage and flexibility, while cassette awnings focus on durability and a neat, enclosed finish. Here are the key differences to consider when deciding between the two.
1. Protection
Cassette awnings completely enclose the fabric and mechanism when retracted, keeping them safe from sun, rain, and wind. Folding arm awnings provide excellent shade but leave the fabric more exposed, which may require more maintenance over time.
2. Coverage
Folding arm awnings are designed for generous spans, reaching up to seven metres wide with projections of up to four metres. Cassette awnings have smaller projection options, typically between 2 and 3.5 metres, making them best suited to compact or medium spaces.
3. Durability & maintenance
With their enclosed design, cassette awnings generally require less upkeep and enjoy longer fabric life. Folding arm awnings are highly durable, but because the fabric is more exposed, they may need extra care to keep them looking their best
4. Finish
Cassette awnings leave a slim, modern profile against your home when closed, blending seamlessly with the exterior. Folding arm awnings remain visible even when retracted, offering a more traditional look.
How to choose the right awning for your home
Choose the look and function that suits your space
Both cassette and folding arm awnings provide shade and protection, but the best choice comes down to your home’s layout, your outdoor lifestyle, and the conditions your space faces. By thinking about how and when you use your deck, patio, or garden area, you can narrow down which awning will serve you best.
Consider your outdoor environment
If your home is in a coastal or high-exposure area, cassette awnings may be the smarter choice. Their enclosed design keeps the fabric and arms shielded from New Zealand’s weather, which means less upkeep and longer performance. Folding arm awnings are still highly durable but are better suited to spaces where the awning isn’t constantly exposed to wind or salt air.
Think about space and coverage
For larger entertaining areas, folding arm awnings are hard to beat. With spans up to seven metres and projections of four metres, they can shade wide outdoor living spaces without posts or poles. Cassette awnings, with projections between 2 and 3.5 metres, are perfect for smaller patios, compact decks, or spaces where you want a neater finish, and will be custom made to perfectly fit your space.
Decide on the look you prefer
Cassette awnings blend seamlessly into your home’s exterior when retracted, leaving a sleek outline. Folding arm awnings remain visible when closed, offering a more traditional shading style.
Explore automation options
Both folding arm and cassette awnings can be motorised for ease of use. With remote control, wall switch, or smart home integration, you can extend or retract your awning at the touch of a button. Weather sensors are also available, allowing your awning to automatically adjust to sun and wind conditions for added safety and convenience.
No matter which style you choose, both cassette and folding arm awnings are built to withstand New Zealand’s conditions and provide a comfortable, shaded retreat for your home.
Conclusion
Whether you choose a cassette or a folding arm awning, both offer practical ways to enjoy your outdoor spaces with more comfort, protection, and flexibility. Folding arm awnings stand out for their generous coverage and adaptable features, making them a great fit for large decks and entertaining areas. Cassette awnings provide a premium finish and enclosed protection, and each one is custom made to perfectly fit your space.
The best choice will come down to how you use your outdoor area, the conditions your home is exposed to, and the finish you prefer. Folding arm awnings offer wide shade with a range of optional features, while cassette awnings give you a tailored, long-lasting solution with minimal upkeep.
Our team is here to help you compare your options and find the right awning for your lifestyle. Contact us
today to book a free measure and quote, and get your outdoor space summer-ready.
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FAQs
What is the main difference between cassette and folding arm awnings?
A cassette awning has an enclosed aluminium housing that protects the fabric and components when retracted, while a folding arm awning leaves the fabric exposed but offers wider spans and projections for larger spaces.
Which awning is better for coastal or high-exposure areas?
Cassette awnings are often the better choice for exposed environments because the enclosed housing keeps the fabric and arms shielded from harsh conditions, helping to extend their lifespan.
Can both cassette and folding arm awnings be automated?
Yes. Both types can be motorised and integrated with remote controls, wall switches, or smart home systems. You can also add sun and wind sensors for extra convenience and protection.
Are cassette awnings custom made?
Yes. Cassette awnings are custom made to perfectly fit your space and can be tailored with different projection options, finishes, and décor trim kits.
What optional features are available with folding arm awnings?
Folding arm awnings can be equipped with roller valances, pitch control, telescopic arms for added stability, and optional rain hoods for fabric protection.
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