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OUTDOOR LIVING, YOUR WAY
A folding arm awning is a retractable awning that reaches out from your wall on hinged arms. There are no posts in the way, so you keep the whole space open underneath. People call them folding arm awnings or retractable awnings. They are the same thing.
Stay cool in summer with instant shade. Fold it away on cooler days to let the sun back in. Open it with a simple crank, or upgrade to motorised control and move it at the push of a button. Perfect for long lunches, quiet afternoons, and entertaining a crowd.
SLEEK DESIGN
On our cassette models the fabric and folding arms fold completely out of sight when the awning is closed. No bulky housing and no exposed mechanism, just a clean aluminium line along your wall that shields the awning from sun, rain and dust between uses.
BUILT TO LAST
The strength is in the arms. Every folding arm awning runs on German-engineered Secuflex arms with tensioned, spring-loaded steel cables, certified by TUV and rated to 120,000 open-and-close cycles. Brackets are patented powder-coated aluminium and the fixings are marine-grade 316 stainless steel, so your awning holds firm season after season.
MADE TO MEASURE
Every awning is made to fit your space. Projection extends from 1.5m up to 4m, and widths run from around 2m to 7m on a single unit, or up to 21m as a continuous coupled system for very wide areas. Choose from acrylic, PVC and mesh fabrics, plus up to 140 powder-coat frame colours to match your home.
| Operation | Best for | Effort to open | Wind sensor | Phone & smart control | Valance & pitch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual Crank | Smaller awnings and tighter budgets | Wind it out by hand | No | No | Yes |
| Motorised | Larger awnings and easy daily use | One touch | Yes, auto-retracts in strong wind | Yes, with the Neo Smart hub | Yes |
| Smart Motor + Hub | Whole-home automation and set-and-forget shade | Runs on a schedule | Yes, plus optional sun sensor | Yes, phone, voice and schedules | Yes |
MAKE IT YOURS
Beyond size and colour, a few smart add-ons make your folding arm awning work harder for your space. Mix and match to suit how you live outdoors.
SUN & PRIVACY
Add a Vario Volant to the front bar and pull down a vertical mesh screen when the sun sits low. It blocks glare and adds privacy without closing in your space, then rolls back out of sight when you are done.
ADDED STABILITY
Telescopic poles steady the awning in windy spots. Removable feet and clips fold down easily when you are not using them.
SEASON CONTROL
Set the awning angle to suit the season with Selectapitch. Steepen the pitch to throw more shade from low afternoon sun, or flatten it for extra headroom, adjustable from about 5 to 45 degrees.
SMART CONTROL
Add a motor and connect your awning to your smart-home system. Open and close it from your phone, set schedules, or use a voice assistant, with a handheld remote on hand for everyday use.
OUR RANGE
FULL CASSETTE
Our flagship folding arm awning. When it closes, the fabric and arms tuck completely inside a sleek aluminium cassette, so nothing sits exposed to the weather. Built for homes and venues that want the very best.
FULL CASSETTE
A compact fully-cassetted awning made for smaller spaces and balconies. The same all-weather protection as the Discus in a lighter, neater profile.
SEMI CASSETTE
A contemporary semi-cassette awning that shelters the fabric roll along the top. A clean, modern look that suits most homes, with the option to add a Vario Volant drop screen for extra sun and privacy.
SEMI CASSETTE
Slimline and strong, built to span wide openings. As a continuous system it reaches up to 21 metres, which makes it a favourite for large patios and retail frontages.
OPEN AWNING
The classic open-style folding arm awning for patios, verandahs and balconies. Selectapitch lets you set the angle to suit the sun, and it can be coupled for very wide spans.
OPEN AWNING
The smart-value option. An open-style awning without the enclosed cassette, giving you Watson build quality and dependable shade at a friendlier price.
SMART IN THE WIND
Folding arm awnings are made for light to moderate breezes. In strong wind, it is best to retract them. Add an optional motion sensor and your awning pulls itself back in automatically when the wind picks up.
That protects it from damage, even when you are not home. Telescopic support poles add extra stability on breezy days, so you stay comfortable for longer.
SMART HOME READY
Open and close your awning with a remote, your phone, or your voice. Add a Merger® motor and connect it to the Neo Smart hub, then control it from anywhere.
Set it to extend for afternoon shade, or pair it with a sun and wind sensor so it responds to the weather on its own. Comfort, without lifting a finger.
Patios catch the afternoon sun. A folding arm awning gives you wide, open shade with nothing blocking the space underneath.
Our Recommendation
Add a front valance to block low glare.
Alfresco areas are made for long lunches. Extend the awning for instant cover, then fold it away to enjoy the evening sky.
Our Recommendation
Go motorised with a wind sensor for hands-free shade.
Balconies are often exposed. A compact awning adds shade without a permanent structure or a lost view.
Our Recommendation
Choose a smaller projection with adjustable pitch.
Decks are built for relaxing outside. A folding arm awning adds shade over the deck and folds away when you want the sun back.
Our Recommendation
Go motorised for easy, everyday shade.
WHAT IT COSTS
Folding arm awnings start from $5,000. The final price depends on a few things: how wide it is and how far it projects, the fabric you choose, and whether you go manual or motorised. A large motorised awning with a wind sensor costs more than a compact manual one.
Because every awning is made to measure, the best way to get an accurate price is a free measure and quote. Our local team looks at your space, talks through your options, and gives you a clear, fixed price with no surprises.
Photos can only tell you so much. Book a free in-home measure and quote. We bring the fabrics and finishes to you, measure your space, and show you exactly how your folding arm awning will look and work.
Your Questions Answered
Folding arm awnings start from $5,000. The price depends on the size, the fabric, and whether you choose manual or motorised. Because every awning is made to measure, the best way to get an exact price is a free measure and quote. There is no cost and no obligation.
They handle light to moderate breezes well. In strong wind, it is best to retract the awning. You can add an optional motion sensor that pulls it back in automatically when the wind picks up, which protects it even when you are not home.
The fabric is water resistant and sheds light rain. In heavy rain it is best to retract the awning so water does not pool on the fabric. A slight pitch helps rain run off.
They are the same thing. A folding arm awning is a type of retractable awning. It folds out on hinged arms with no support posts, so you get clear, open shade that tucks away when you do not need it.
Both. You can open and close one with a manual crank, or upgrade to a motor and run it from a remote, your phone, or your voice. Motorised awnings can also add a wind sensor.
Projection runs from 1.5m up to 4m, and widths reach up to 7m depending on the model. Every awning is made to measure, so we size it to fit your space.
Yes. Watson has been making and fitting awnings locally for 50+ years. We service Canberra, Nowra, Batemans Bay, Wagga and right across the ACT and NSW.
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