A cover that closes a wide area when you need it
A retractable bellows awning consists of tarpaulin stretched over arches that slide on parallel rails. When extended, the arches spread out along the rails and the tarpaulin covers the area; when retracted, the arches come together at one end and the tarpaulin folds like a bellows. The area can then be used covered when needed and open when not.
Restaurant and hotel terraces, poolsides, inner courtyards and warehouse loading docks are the most common locations. It is installed for areas too deep to cover with an arm awning.
Highlights
- Mechanism: Telescopic bellows system; the arches slide on rails.
- Control: Manual or motorized, depending on the project.
- Size: Rail length and arch width are based on the area.
- Support: If there is no wall or ground to fix the rails to, a steel support structure is made to the project through our Steel Construction Fabrication service.
When planning
The two edges where the rails will be laid must be straight and parallel; the rails are fixed to the ground, a wall or a steel support structure. When retracted, the tarpaulin takes up space at one end; leave room for this in the plan. Think from the start about the gutter or drain where rainwater from the roof will run off when the awning is closed. If you choose motorized control, plan the motor and power line on the side where the awning retracts.
Covering a terrace or courtyard may require a municipal permit; check before installation. For shop windows, see the Bat Wing Awning page; for a shade that is not fixed to the facade, see the Freestanding Awning page. Other models are in the Shade Systems category. For a quote, send us the dimensions of the area.
